How AI is reshaping modern warfare — and why India must compete

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming modern warfare, acting as a force multiplier across surveillance, logistics, target identification, and autonomous systems. At the India AI Impact Summit 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted India’s commitment to responsible and inclusive AI, while global tech leaders discussed its role in defence innovation. The Indian Armed Forces are integrating AI for border surveillance, unmanned vehicles, predictive maintenance, and cyber operations, supported by initiatives like EKAM, SAM-UN, and specialised AI cells in the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Despite progress, India must accelerate investment to remain competitive with global powers like the US and China