Army used AI in a 'big way' during Operation Sindoor

NEW DELHI: The Army used artificial intelligence (AI) tools in a big way during Operation Sindoor against Pakistan to generate a common operational picture, intelligence analysis, threat assessment, and predictive modelling and weather forecasting for long-range strikes.

“AI was extensively used for multi-sensor data fusion and multi-source data fusion in real time during Operation Sindoor…Overall, 23 apps with specific tasks were used to deal with data and inputs,” director general EME (Electronics and Mechanical Engineers) Lt-General Rajiv Kumar Sahni said on Monday.

Asked about China’s huge strides in AI-driven warfare as well as active support to Pakistan during the May 7-10 cross-border hostilities, which included “live” satellite inputs on Indian military deployments, he said the Indian Army was plugged into the “IndiaAI mission” under a “whole of nation approach” as well as collaborating with industry and academia in a big way in the arena.

While perceptions about China's AI capabilities exist, the Indian Army is also well-prepared and focused on national security, developing indigenous AI technologies and solutions for use in operations, logistics, autonomous weapon systems and the like, Lt-Gen Sahni added.

The senior officer, who was the DG Information Systems during Operation Sindoor, said the ongoing integration of AI into the core functions of the 11.5-lakh strong Army, as part of the overall transformation drive, will bring greater speed, precision and lethality to combat operations.

The key AI-driven applications used during Operation Sindoor included the electronic intelligence collation and analysis system (ECAS), a home-grown software upgraded in real time to identify and prioritise critical threats, which helped “achieve strategic dominance”, he said.

Then, there was the “Trinetra” system, integrated with “Project Sanjay”, which provided a common operational picture for better coordination, situational awareness, and decision superiority. “AI was also leveraged big time for predictive modelling and weather forecasting tools, which enabled precise planning and targeting for artillery units and long-range vectors. These innovations significantly enhanced the Army’s operational preparedness and response,” he said.

Having set up the AI Research and Incubation Centre in Bengaluru in Dec last year, the force is also developing an indigenous “unified AI platform” that will integrate operational, intelligence, logistics, and training applications on a single secure framework. “This will replace fragmented systems and enable validated AI deployment within 24 hours, significantly enhancing operational readiness,” an officer said.

The Army is also establishing dedicated AI cells, creating secure cloud-based and edge-computing environments for battlefield applications, and developing AI-enabled autonomous systems such as drones and unmanned vehicles. “We are prioritising AI in domains where it reduces risk to personnel, improves decision-making, and strengthens resilience,” the officer said.

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