In an work to showcase its embracing of emerging and disruptive technologies, the Indian Army on Friday, Jan 15, 2021, carried out a live demonstration of Drone Swarming capability. It made use of 75 indigenously created and created drones. These drones performed an array of Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled simulated offensive missions and close assistance tasks at the Parade Ground, Delhi Cantt.
According to an official statement, “this demonstration was carried out to highlight how the Army is preparing itself to meet future security challenges and transforming itself from manpower-intensive to a technology-enabled force.”
The Army Chief Gen MM Naravane, earlier this week in an interaction with the media had talked about the Army investing heavily into Artificial Intelligence (AI), Autonomous Weapon Systems, Quantum Technologies, Robotics, Cloud Computing and Algorithm Warfare.
Why? As these will assistance in attaining a convergence involving the Army’s warfighting philosophies and also the military attributes of these technologies.
TheSpuzz Online has been focusing on the AI and associated technologies for future war fare and how it can assistance the armed forces as nicely as the paramilitary forces.
| Future warfare and drones: AI-enabled stealthy combat drones in Indian skies
According to Milind Kulshreshtha, C4I & Drones specialist, “To engage in threats emanating out of terrorists hideout and sanctuaries, the drones have a huge advantage and can be used as an alternative to using soldiers.”
Adding, “When when weaponized, aerial systems like UAVs or Drones are most cost-effective solutions and have potent lethality.”
Importance of a Swarm of Weaponised Drones
These can build an impenetrable screen against incoming targets, like a missile. While the police forces in the nation have inducted the drones working with them mostly for surveillance, for the armed forces the drones have a peacetime military part. They can be made use of as a `mule’ and provide replenishment material to troops who are bunkered in inaccessible positions in regions.
With the drones becoming weaponised, it has changed the way the future wars will be fought. The effect of these will be observed not only in the traditional warfare but, but also in asymmetric tactical response to the asymmetric threat of non-traditional targets and armed militant networks.
Indian Army & New Technologies
Several initiatives have been undertaken in coordination with Dreamers, Startups, MSMEs, Private Sector, and Academia. The Indian Army is working with a Start-Up in Artificial Intelligence (AI) Offensive Drone Operations. This project is an instance of how the Indian Army merging the cutting edge of digital technologies with its human resource.
The Army is also working with Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs).
| UAV for Armed Forces: Boost to Make in India initiative, MSMEs can get UAV projects
For a true-time tactical operation although dealing with terrorist attacks there is an urgent require for greater automation in activities like Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).
As per CAG report of 2018, the non-availability of important UAV method has adversely impacted the aerial surveillance capability of the Indian Army.
SWITCH UAV for the Indian Army
Earlier this week, the Indian Army has inked a $20 million contract with thoughtForge to procure its flagship drone, SWITCH UAV. Though the quantities of the higher-altitude variant of the drone has not been specified, these will be completed in a year’s time. For rapid track procurement, the Indian organization emerged as the only vendor that certified the operational needs in an evaluation accomplished in true-planet situations.
More about SWITCH UAV
It is an indigenous method which has been constructed to cater for the most demanding surveillance operations of the Indian Forces.
It is Fixed Wing VTOL (Vertical Take-off and Landing) UAV and has the capability to be deployed at higher altitude and harsh environments. It is made use of for day and evening surveillance in Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
According to the organization this drone is man-transportable and has the highest time on target compared to any other UAV in its class.