India’s Advances in AI Weaponization Amid Global Military AI Race

Rajesh Uppal 4 seconds ago AI & IT, Military Comments Off on India’s Advances in AI Weaponization Amid Global Military AI Race 977 Views

As the global military landscape evolves with advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI), India is making significant strides to catch up with leading nations like the United States, China, and Russia. These countries have been at the forefront of integrating AI into their defense systems, enhancing their capabilities in various domains such as autonomous weaponry, cyber warfare, and intelligence operations. India’s recent initiatives reflect a strategic push towards leveraging AI to strengthen its defense and secure its position as a key player in this technological race.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) holds immense promise for transforming societies and economies. Predictions indicate that the global AI market will exceed $100 billion by 2025. Accenture’s analysis of 12 developed economies suggests that AI could potentially double their annual economic growth rates by 2035. This dual-use technology is being harnessed for both civilian and military purposes, driving significant advancements and posing unique challenges.

AI in Military Applications

Militaries worldwide are increasingly integrating AI to enhance surveillance, communications, data exploitation, autonomous vehicles, and swarms. These advancements aim to secure a competitive edge on future battlefields. AI enables capabilities such as intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, target identification, weapon development, command and control, logistics, and war games development. Adversaries might exploit AI for information operations or psychological warfare. A Harvard Kennedy School study even suggests that AI could revolutionize warfare as profoundly as nuclear weapons have.

AI systems can analyze vast amounts of data generated during peace and conflicts, leading to better decision-making. They can fuse data from various sensors to create a coherent battlefield picture and react significantly faster than human-operated systems, thus accelerating the complete “kill chain” from detection to destruction. This capability enhances defense against high-speed threats like hypersonic weapons.

AI also boosts the autonomy of unmanned air, ground, and underwater vehicles, enabling concepts like vehicle swarms. For instance, drone swarms can overwhelm adversary air defense systems. AI is becoming integral to every military platform, weapon, network, and system, from soldiers to entire military enterprises, making them smarter and more efficient. Integrating AI with technologies like 5G and the Internet of Things (IoT) enables smart military bases, soldier healthcare, and battlefield awareness.

The Global AI Weaponization Race

The economic and military benefits are driving intense AI Competition among the countries led by US, EU, China and Russia, with each planning to take a lead in this strategic technology. The weaponization of AI involves the integration of AI technologies into military systems, enhancing the capabilities of these systems through improved decision-making, precision, and efficiency. The US, China, and Russia have been at the forefront of this revolution, leveraging AI for various military applications, including autonomous weapon systems, cyber warfare, and intelligence gathering.

United States: The US has been a pioneer in AI research and development, with the Department of Defense (DoD) launching initiatives such as the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center (JAIC). The US focuses on integrating AI to enhance decision-making processes, intelligence analysis, and autonomous systems. The US has long utilized AI-based technologies in defense.

In 2014, former Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel announced the “Third Offset Strategy,” highlighting AI’s pivotal role in future warfare. Since then, the defense budget for AI-led projects has substantially increased. For instance, the US Defense Department allocated $4 billion for AI and ML-related R&D in fiscal 2020, a significant rise from the previous year. This budget supported 222 AI R&D activities, emphasizing the US’s commitment to maintaining its technological edge.

China: China has set ambitious goals to become the global leader in AI by 2030. In July 2017, China’s government unveiled a comprehensive AI strategy to achieve this goal. China is advancing rapidly in AI, quantum computing, genetic engineering, 5G, and IoT, raising concerns in India about future technological disparities in defense and security systems. The Chinese military is integrating AI into a wide range of applications, including drones, surveillance systems, and cyber warfare. China’s emphasis on AI is evident in its extensive funding and state-driven research initiatives.

Russia: Russia’s approach to AI weaponization includes the development of autonomous combat systems and AI-driven intelligence operations. The country has invested in AI to maintain and enhance its strategic military capabilities, particularly in electronic warfare and cyber operations.

Despite budgetary constraints and infrastructure challenges, Russia is advancing in AI for defense. Of the 388 scientific schools under the Russian Ministry of Defense, 279 focus on AI, robotics, military cybernetics, and other promising areas. In 2017, Russian defense manufacturer Kalashnikov announced the development of AI-enabled robots capable of independent target identification and decision-making.

India’s Strategic AI Initiatives

India is making significant strides in incorporating AI into its military and civilian sectors. Government initiatives like Digital India have boosted AI adoption for traffic management, digital exchanges, and criminal investigations. The AI market in India is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.2%, reaching $7.8 billion by 2025.

Recognizing the transformative potential of AI in defense, India has initiated several strategic programs to bolster its AI capabilities. These efforts are aimed at enhancing national security, modernizing the armed forces, and establishing India as a key player in the AI-driven defense ecosystem.

AI in Indian Defense

India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) established a multi-stakeholder task force for AI in 2018, leading to the creation of an institutional framework for AI policy implementation in defense. In 2019, the MoD set up the Defence AI Council (DAIC) to guide AI adoption in the armed forces. The Indian government is working on incorporating AI in unmanned tanks, vessels, aerial vehicles, and robotic weaponry to enhance operational preparedness.

Defense AI Council (DAIC): Established by the Ministry of Defense, the DAIC is responsible for formulating AI strategies and policies for defense applications. The council aims to foster collaboration between government agencies, academia, and industry to accelerate AI development.
Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO): DRDO is at the forefront of AI research in India, focusing on the development of AI-driven systems for surveillance, reconnaissance, and autonomous weapon platforms. DRDO’s projects include AI-powered drones, robotic systems, and decision-support tools.
Collaboration with Industry and Startups: India is leveraging its robust tech ecosystem by encouraging collaborations between defense establishments and private tech companies. Startups specializing in AI and robotics are being incentivized to develop innovative solutions for defense applications.
AI in Cyber Defense: With the growing threat of cyber warfare, India is investing in AI technologies to enhance its cyber defense capabilities. AI is being used to detect and mitigate cyber threats, ensuring the security of critical infrastructure and defense networks.
International Partnerships: India is forging strategic partnerships with global leaders in AI technology. Collaborations with countries like the US, Israel, and France are helping India gain access to cutting-edge AI technologies and expertise.

In a significant move, the Indian government has embarked on a project to integrate AI into the operational framework of its armed forces. This initiative aims to enhance the operational preparedness of the Army, Navy, and Air Force by equipping them with AI-powered unmanned tanks, vessels, aerial vehicles, and robotic weaponry. The project is part of a broader policy to prepare for next-generation warfare, especially considering China’s substantial investments in AI for military applications.

Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) have been tasked with developing AI-enabled products and tools for sensor data analysis, predictive maintenance, and situational awareness. Notably, a project worth INR 73.9 crore under the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR) aims to improve intelligence collation and analysis capabilities using AI. Additionally, another project titled “Energy Harvesting Based Infrared Sensor Network for Automated Human Intrusion Detection” has been sanctioned for about INR 1.8 crore.

In July 2022, during the first-ever “AI in Defence” symposium and exhibition in New Delhi, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh unveiled 75 newly developed AI technologies. These innovations, part of the “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” celebrations, span various domains, including lethal autonomous weapon systems, autonomous/unmanned/robotic systems, blockchain-based automation, command, control, communication, computer & intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, cybersecurity, human behaviour analysis, intelligent monitoring systems, manufacturing and maintenance, simulators/test equipment, and speech/voice analysis using Natural Language Processing.

Three AI products developed by DPSUs were showcased at the event: the Driver Fatigue Monitoring System by Bharat Earth Movers Limited, AI-enabled Voice Transcription or Analysis software, and AI-enabled evaluation of Welding defects in X-rays of Non-destructive Testing by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers. These products are expected to open new markets for the Defence PSUs.

Numerous Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed with the business community to accelerate AI applications in the Services. The Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) projects have also launched several AI-related challenges in areas such as Radio Frequency Spectrum Management, Underwater Domain Awareness, Satellite Image Analysis, and Friend or Foe Identification System. Singh encouraged the business community and startups to explore new possibilities and collaborate with the government to achieve complete autonomy in AI technology.

AI in the Indian Navy

The Indian Navy is launching major AI projects, focusing on autonomous systems, predictive maintenance, inventory management, and decision-making. The Navy’s AI initiatives aim to improve tactical and strategic operations, with a center of excellence in AI at INS Valsura, Jamnagar. The Navy’s AI core group meets biannually to review and advance AI projects.

Navy is progressing on around 30 AI projects, including autonomous systems, language translation, predictive maintenance, inventory management, text mining, perimeter security, maritime domain awareness, and decision-making. These AI initiatives are expected to have both tactical and strategic impacts.

In modern naval warfare, surface warships face threats from air, surface, underwater, and shore-based sources. “By fusing sensor data, the Fleet Units at sea can form a more accurate and reliable view of their environment for intelligent situational awareness,” says Milind Kulshreshtha, a C4I expert. AI concepts can help identify potential threats unambiguously and immediately, assist command teams in making informed decisions faster, and optimize the use of existing warship equipment.

The data and algorithms used in predicting missile engagement range define a Weapon Engagement Zone (WEZ). These algorithms, contained within the missile’s fire control computer onboard the ship, are continuously calculated in real-time during flight. The WEZ information is displayed to the operator, allowing the command to make informed decisions when launching a missile. Kulshreshtha notes that using an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) for WEZ computation can be achieved by recording practice missile firing data and using it to train a multi-layer ANN with specialized algorithms like Bayesian.

However, there are challenges in effectively implementing AI in the Indian Navy, such as the lack of internal data science talent to identify AI issues and the need for AI initiatives to emerge from within the organization.

AI in the Indian Air Force

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has established a Center of Excellence (CoE) for AI to integrate AI into its warfighting capabilities. This initiative includes a Big Data Analytics and AI Platform for handling various AI applications. The AI COE aims to enhance the operational capability of IAF fighter jets through advanced AI technologies.

A Big Data Analytics and AI Platform has been commissioned at the IAF’s AI Center to handle all aspects of analytics, machine learning, natural language processing, neural networks, and deep learning algorithms. The high-end compute requirements will be met by the latest Graphical Processing Unit-powered servers.

AI in the Indian Army

The Indian Army plans to adopt AI in mechanized forces within the next few years. AI will enhance information gathering, decision-making, and force reactions, making mechanized warfare more efficient. The Army is exploring AI applications for predicting crowd behavior, particularly in regions like Jammu & Kashmir, to address challenges such as stone pelting.

As part of its AI strategy, the Indian military is developing an AI-enabled night vision device. The Army Design Bureau has created a helmet-mounted device that alerts soldiers to unusual activity across various terrains, including high-altitude areas. A wristband attached to the device vibrates when it detects movement.

The Indian Army faces challenges with stone pelters in Jammu & Kashmir. To address this, a group of students from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has proposed using AI to detect crowd behavior. The IIT students demonstrated how AI could analyze live images from CCTV cameras to predict abnormal events, such as stone pelting.

Demonstration of AI-Enabled Drone Swarming

The Indian Army recently showcased its Drone Swarming capability, demonstrating 75 indigenously designed and developed drones executing AI-enabled offensive missions and close support tasks. This live demonstration is a testament to the Indian Army’s commitment to embracing emerging technologies and transforming into a technology-enabled force to meet future security challenges. These AI-driven drones are capable of flying deep into enemy territory, showcasing India’s advancements in autonomous systems.

Strategic Investments and Collaborations

The Indian Army is heavily investing in various advanced technologies, including AI, autonomous weapon systems, quantum technologies, robotics, cloud computing, and algorithm warfare. This investment aims to align the Army’s warfighting philosophies with the capabilities provided by these technologies. The Indian Army has undertaken numerous technology initiatives in collaboration with startups, MSMEs, private sector entities, academia, the Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and Defense Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs).

One notable project is the AI Offensive Drone Operations, developed in collaboration with an Indian startup. This project symbolizes the Indian Army’s initial steps towards integrating autonomy in weapon platforms and demonstrates a commitment to merging cutting-edge digital technologies with human resources.

Focus on Self-Reliance and Technological Integration

The Indian Army is focusing on self-reliance in technology and has introduced several autonomous tactical missions with AI-driven combat drones. These drones, equipped with kinetic and non-kinetic capabilities, execute missions without human intervention, relying on distributed intelligence and deep technological collaboration.

In addition to drone technology, the Indian Army has procured high-tech weapons such as robot mules, enhancing its edge in combat scenarios. The Army is incorporating robotics for combat and combat vehicles, as well as Robotic Process Automation (RPA). Remotely piloted aircraft systems are being used for surveillance, covering distances of up to 120 kilometers, and logistics drones are employed to deliver essential materials in war zones.

Addressing Cyber and AI Threats

The Indian Army has also developed countermeasures against cyber threats, such as honey-trapping by adversaries. An AI-powered chatbot designed by the Territorial Army operates via WhatsApp to train soldiers, mimicking various scenarios and enhancing their preparedness through continuous learning and adaptation.

Challenges and the Way Forward

While India has made significant strides in AI weaponization, several challenges remain. These include the need for substantial investments in research and development, overcoming technological gaps, and addressing ethical concerns related to AI in warfare.

Investment and R&D: To compete with the US, China, and Russia, India must significantly increase its investment in AI research and development. Establishing dedicated AI research centers and fostering innovation through grants and funding is crucial.

Technological Ecosystem: Building a robust technological ecosystem requires collaboration between government, academia, and industry. Creating platforms for knowledge exchange and innovation will help bridge the technological gaps.

Ethical Considerations: The deployment of AI in defense raises important ethical questions. India must establish clear guidelines and frameworks to ensure the responsible and ethical use of AI technologies in military applications.

Despite significant progress, experts believe India still has a long way to go to match the AI investments of the US, China, and Russia. Professor Nishakant Ojha, an advisor on cyber aerospace security and counter-terrorism, emphasizes that India’s achievements in AI are fundamental and that greater investments are necessary to keep pace with global leaders.

The Defence Policy Group (DPG) echoes this sentiment, highlighting the need for increased investments to promote indigenous industry players and avoid falling behind the technology cycle.

The Path Forward

As India continues to integrate AI into its military operations, it must address the challenges associated with rapid data processing and decision-making, which could lead to hasty and potentially dangerous actions. The recent surprise attack by Hamas on Israel underscores the limitations of AI, emphasizing the need for human interpretation of AI data to ensure effective decision-making. The risks of unintended escalation, particularly in the context of autonomous weapon systems (AWS), necessitate a cautious approach to maintain regional stability.

Conclusion

India’s journey in the AI weaponization race is marked by strategic initiatives and collaborative efforts aimed at enhancing its defense capabilities. As India continues to invest in AI and forge international partnerships, it is poised to become a significant player in the global AI-driven defense landscape. By addressing the challenges and leveraging its strengths, India can secure its position alongside the US, China, and Russia in the AI weaponization race, ensuring its national security and strategic interests in the 21st century.