Indian Army Seminar in Chandimandir Focuses on AI, Drones and Future Artillery Warfare

The Indian Army’s Regiment of Artillery brought together senior commanders, veterans, academics, defence industry representatives and specialists at Chandimandir for the 4th Gen SF Rodrigues Memorial Seminar 2026, where the central theme was the future of artillery in an increasingly networked and technology-driven battlefield.

Held at Western Command, the seminar focused on “Asymmetric Capability through Networked Precision Fires by Artillery” and placed particular emphasis on how artificial intelligence, unmanned systems, long-range systems and precision engagement are reshaping modern firepower. The event was organised in collaboration with the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS).

According to the Army, the seminar combined expert presentations, professional discussions and a display of technologies and solutions relevant to artillery and Multi-Domain Operations. The gathering also served as a forum to examine how the force is adapting to changing battlefield realities and the rapid pace of technological change.

Discussions at the seminar covered global trends in asymmetric warfare and the growing importance of networked precision fires, faster battlefield decision-making and long-range engagements. A recurring theme was the convergence of artillery with unmanned aerial systems, artificial intelligence, electronic warfare, surveillance platforms and precision-guided munitions.

Participants examined how modern combat now depends on connecting battlefield sensors, weapon systems and commanders more seamlessly than before. The aim, as discussed at the seminar, is to detect, assess and strike targets more rapidly and with greater accuracy. In practical terms, that means using surveillance assets and unmanned platforms to feed information directly into long-range weapon systems, reducing the time between finding a target and engaging it.

The seminar also drew on lessons from recent conflicts, where drones, surveillance systems, electronic warfare and precision-strike capabilities have been evolving in tandem. Those developments, the deliberations noted, are altering the traditional conduct of artillery operations and increasing the value of persistent surveillance, automation, resilient communications and precision engagements over greater distances.

In his concluding address, Western Army Commander Lt Gen Pushpendra Singh, AVSM, SM & Bar, spoke about the way artillery is being transformed by improvements in range, precision, artificial intelligence, automation, persistent surveillance and battlefield networking.

He underlined the need for doctrines, technologies, organisational structures and training methods to keep pace with changing operational requirements. Only continuous adaptation, he said, would allow the force to preserve a decisive combat edge across the full depth of the battlefield.

The seminar reflected the Indian Army’s wider focus on technology absorption, innovation and capability development as warfare becomes more interconnected and multi-domain. The direction outlined at Chandimandir points to a force seeking to integrate sensors, shooters and decision-makers with AI-enabled systems, surveillance platforms, electronic warfare capabilities and precision weapons in order to operate with greater speed, agility and accuracy in a complex battlespace.