Indian Army's Strategic Use of AI in Operation Sindoor Highlighted by Lt Gen Sahni

The Indian Army has revealed that Artificial Intelligence (AI) played a crucial role in the recent cross-border counter-terror mission, Operation Sindoor, conducted in Pakistan earlier this year following the Pahalgam terror attack. This disclosure underscores India's advancing capabilities in digital warfare.

Lt Gen Rajiv Kumar Sahni, Director General of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers and former DG Information Systems, informed reporters in Delhi that AI tools were significantly utilized for reviewing, analyzing intelligence, and generating heat maps to efficiently prioritize resources during the mission.

“We used AI to generate predictive models, heat maps and real-time intel analysis. It helped us identify enemy movement and allocate resources more effectively,” Lt Gen Sahni explained.

Sahni also highlighted the importance of the Army’s Anuman 2.0 weather forecasting app, which was instrumental in precision targeting and planning operations in challenging terrain. He further elaborated on how the military employed reliable models, satellite tracking systems, and real-time data feeds to monitor enemy infantry positions across the border.

The Indian Army has designated the year 2024–25 as the “Year of Technology Absorption,” signifying a major advancement in digital transformation. This shift has led to a 1,200% increase in users and a 620% rise in data storage capacity, thereby enhancing the Army’s integrated digital infrastructure.

Among the AI-enabled systems in use by the Army are the Electronic Intelligence Collation & Analysis System (ECAS) for identifying critical threats and the TRINETRA System, which offers a Common Operational Picture to improve coordination and situational awareness.

To further advance AI innovation, the Army last year established the Army AI Research and Incubation Centre (AARIC) in Bengaluru. This initiative, in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), academic institutions, and private industry partners, aims to accelerate the development and integration of next-generation AI technologies into military operations.

Lt Gen Sahni concluded by stating that the success of Operation Sindoor highlighted how AI is revolutionizing modern warfare, enhancing the Indian Army's ability to be “faster, smarter, and more connected than ever before.”