In a major revelation highlighting India’s growing digital warfare capabilities, the Indian Army confirmed that Artificial Intelligence (AI) played a critical role during Operation Sindoor — the cross-border counter-terror mission conducted in Pakistan earlier this year following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack.
Speaking to reporters in Delhi, Lt Gen Rajiv Kumar Sahni, Director General of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME) and former DG Information Systems, said that AI tools were extensively employed for review, intelligence analysis, and heat map generation to prioritise resources during the operation.
“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.
He also cited the Army’s Anuman 2.0 weather forecasting app as a key tool that enabled precision targeting and operational planning in difficult terrain. He added that the military leveraged “reasonably assured models, satellite tracking systems, and real-time data feeds” to track enemy infantry positions across the border.
The year 2024–25 has been designated by the Indian Army as the “Year of Technology Absorption,” marking a major leap in digital transformation. Automation across formations has led to a 1,200% increase in users and a 620% rise in data storage capacity, strengthening the Army’s integrated digital backbone.
Among the AI-driven systems operational within the force are the Electronic Intelligence Collation & Analysis System (ECAS) for critical threat identification and the TRINETRA System, which provides a Common Operational Picture for enhanced coordination and situational awareness.
To further boost innovation, the Army last year established the Army AI Research and Incubation Centre (AARIC) in Bengaluru, in collaboration with DRDO, academia, and private industry partners. The centre aims to accelerate the development and integration of next-generation AI technologies into core military functions.
Lt Gen Sahni said the success of Operation Sindoor underscored how AI is transforming modern warfare, making the Indian Army “faster, smarter, and more connected than ever before.”
