In a groundbreaking development aimed at mitigating the persistent issue of aircraft misidentification, Colonel Prashant Thakur of the Army Air Defence has introduced the Next Generation Aircraft Recognition for Bharat by Harnessing Artificial Intelligence (NABH AI). This initiative comes in light of the significant challenges posed by friendly fire incidents, particularly highlighted during the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, which has reportedly resulted in losses amounting to approximately USD 1.77 billion (about Rs 15,000 crore).
Colonel Thakur’s NABH AI system is designed to swiftly identify both fixed-wing and rotary aircraft, as well as unarmed aerial vehicles (UAVs). By utilizing artificial intelligence to process captured images through sophisticated computational algorithms, the system can distinguish aircraft and ascertain their friend or foe status in a matter of 6-8 seconds, achieving an impressive accuracy rate of 80% following machine learning enhancements.
Currently, the NABH AI database includes a comprehensive Aircraft Recognition (ACR) package enriched with open-source information and service-specific imagery, containing around 1,400 images that cover 10 different helicopter models. This technological advancement addresses significant limitations faced by traditional radar systems, which often classify 70-80% of aerial targets as ‘Unknown’ due to inadequate data from air force sources. Such uncertainties can lead to dangerous blue-on-blue engagements, especially during times of heightened combat stress.
As Colonel Thakur elaborated, the increasing threat posed by UAVs, underscored by 188 drone strikes against Ukraine, has amplified the need for effective identification solutions across all branches of the armed forces. “This identification challenge affects all three Indian armed forces operating air defence weapons and aircraft,” he stated. He explained that the motivation behind creating the system stemmed from the necessity to enhance aerial target recognition capabilities, resulting in nearly a year-long effort to develop NABH AI.
Recognizing the innovation, Colonel Thakur recently applied for a patent for his technology and received a cash award of Rs 25,000 from Chief of Army Staff Upendra Dwivedi at the Inno-Yoddha 2024-25 event held at the Manekshaw Centre in Delhi Cantonment, where NABH AI was also acknowledged as one of the top 10 innovations.
Looking ahead, the project is poised for expansion with plans to develop a chip model specifically for use in Zi-23mm, Zu-23 mm, and upgraded L-70 gun systems. Colonel Thakur, an alumnus of Seth MR Jaipuria School in Lucknow, and a recipient of the Sena Medal for gallantry, has distinguished himself throughout his 18 years of service in the army.
