In an era when technology is reshaping every aspect of life, warfare is no exception as showed in the case of Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Gaza wars. Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming a game-changer in international defence strategies and India is no stranger to this transformation. India's recognition of AI as an advancement in technology is evident – more so for its potential to enhance the country's existing defence systems in order to be active in the changing landscape of war.

India has made significant progress in the global technology race, marking its presence with revolutionary initiatives. By creating AI powered drones, satellite systems and announcement of a new centre of excellence for AI in education, the country is actively supporting the ‘Make for India and Make for the World’ vision. These efforts highlight India's self-sufficiency and commitment to innovation.

Against this backdrop, this article discusses India's strategic preparations for the warfare of tomorrow. It highlights how India is using cutting-edge AI and other technological breakthroughs to boost its defence capabilities and solidify its position in a world where global security is becoming increasingly complex and challenging.

India is aware of the opportunities and challenges presented by this rapidly changing technological landscape and its widespread presence. It’s defence system considers the development of AI capabilities for three primary reasons: To maintain strategic independence when technological dominance is key to military superiority; to actively contribute to the development of global rules and regulations; and to ensure our military is ready for the possibility of future wars that may involve these advanced systems.

This commitment to technological advancement was recently witnessed in India's defense strategy and was showcased during the Republic Day parade, where the Indian Army presented a mix of traditional elements and cutting-edge technology. It showcased missile systems that underscore the Army’s expanding ability to strike targets at long range. Among the highlights were the T-90 Bhishma tanks, equipped with a powerful 123mm smoothbore cannon capable of launching a wide array of missiles.

We also got a glimpse of some seriously advanced missile systems, like the Nag, designed to take out even the toughest enemy Armor; the BrahMos, a fast supersonic cruise missile and the Pinaka, a homegrown, multi-barrel rocket launcher, named after Lord Shiva’s legendary bow. And that’s not all, the parade also featured the Akash air defence system, the Pralay missile system and the ALH Dhruv helicopter, all pointing to India’s growing strength in defence technology. This need has become especially clear due to the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.

India is not a newcomer when it comes to autonomous weapons. India showcased its technological prowess back in 2022 with an event ‘AIDef" (which stands for Artificial Intelligence in Defence)’. At this event, they revealed 75 new defence products. Among them, two were particularly catching the eye: an AI driven silent sentry system and a gesture recognition system named ‘Trishul’. Both these systems are a boon for the Army. The silent sentry helps in assisting the detection of infiltration and enhancing surveillance capabilities. This system can keep a constant vigil and capable to recharge independently when its battery runs low. Then there is the Trishul system which capable of recognising gestures using its deep learning mechanisms. India is openly developing these systems to address security concerns from both state and non-states actors. The best part is that these systems are developing by the military themselves, therefore reducing dependency on foreign imports.

Furthermore, the 15th edition of Asia’s biggest aerospace and defence expo, inaugurated by the defence minister, showcased India’s air power and homegrown state-of-the-art innovations and advancements via India Pavilion. This aligns perfectly with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat and ‘make in India, make for the world’ initiatives.

As per the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) Report 2023, India has been consistently ranked among the top defence importers globally. Despite a strong push for indigenous defence under the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, India’s complex borders, historical conflicts and technological edge offered by foreign equipment continue to drive its import reliance. The major suppliers are Russia, followed by France and the United States.

Country              Share of India’s defence imports    Key Equipment
Russia               36%                                                S-400 Missile systems, Sukhoi jets, Tanks
France               33%                                                Rafale Jets, Scorpene Submarines
United States    13%                                                Apache Helicopters, P-8I Poseidon, Drones

The table shows that Russia is the primary weapon supplier accounting for 36% of its arms imports. France and the United States together account for 46% of its arms imports. However, this trend is shifting, as India’s defence sector has evolved remarkably from a largely import-dependent military force to focusing towards self-reliance and domestic manufacturing. The significant rise in defence production at Rs. 1.27 lakh crore and exports reaching Rs. 21,083 crore in FY 2023-2024, this underscores its growing capability as a global player in the defence market – clearly showing its dedication to decreasing reliance on imports while enhancing its position in the global industry.

Additionally, the recent budget 2025 included a bunch of announcements about furthering AI as well. Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman revealed plans to create a top-tier AI learning hub, setting aside Rs 500 crore to make it happen. This move is just one more way India is pushing to be a bigger player in the worldwide AI scene. The budget also brings in the Krishi Dhan Dhanya initiative, designed to weave AI into the fabric of agri-tech startups, boosting creativity in this area. On top of that, the budget puts forward a Rs 20,000 crore fund to fuel private companies' efforts in deep tech research, development, and innovation. All of this highlights the government's dedication to nurturing new ideas and staying ahead in the fast-changing world of AI.

International cooperations
Prominent global players such as fixed members (the US, China, Russia, the UK and France) along with Germany, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Ukraine have developed their own AI strategies with a focus on defence. They are engaged in a race to integrate AI into their armed forces. At the same time, major tech firms and companies are investing in AI research and development for military applications.

India does not want to be left behind in the global race to create AI-powered weapons and surveillance systems for the wars of the future. Therefore, the Indian government has made great efforts to promote AI international research collaboration through initiatives like the National Strategy for AI published by NITI Aayog in 2018 which highlighted the need of international cooperation to harness world class expertise and resources.

Recently, India entered into collaboration with internationally recognised technology firms such as Google, Microsoft, IBM and Amazon for the purpose of developing AI in the country. These partnerships include collaborative research initiatives, training activities, economic transformation and investment in AI startups. India has also developed several bilateral and multilateral partnership in order to strength AI collaborations. For example, India and Japan are working together on unmanned and naval technologies for the development of their defence relations. These kinds of tech advancements could really give the Indian Army an edge over its rivals.

India is also actively involved in the Group of Governmental experts (GGE) on Lethal Autonomous Weapons systems which operates under the framework of the UN conventions on certain convention weapons (CCW). The GGE was formed to discuss the ethical, legal and security concerns surrounding autonomous weapons systems.

Conclusion
India is currently undergoing a major transformation phase. It is evolving from a developing to a developed nation. The defence industry which was earlier not viewed as a component of national economy is now completely integrated into it. The significant budget allocation of Rs. 6.81 lakh crore to the defence ministry in the budget 2025 with Rs 1.80 Lakh crore for capital procurement is a proof that the government considers the defence sector as a top priority. Moreover, the government is creating an ‘adaptive defence’ approach to counter emerging threats. As defence minister Rajnath Singh put it while speaking at the first Delhi Defence Dialogue (DDD), this approach is not just a strategic decision but a vital need in our rapidly changing world.

Ankita Sachan is a PhD Scholar of Law in Banaras Hindu University; Anshita Sachan is a senior research associate at Pahlé India Foundation. Views are personal.