[International Politics in the Age of AI] II. India and Defense AI

I. Overview of Strategy and Policy

Since its independence in 1947, India has set technological self-reliance as a core objective of national development to escape poverty and establish itself as a truly independent nation. The experience of British colonialism fostered distrust in the military, and the tradition of Gandhi's non-violent independence movement provided the basis for institutionally maintaining civilian supremacy in civil-military relations. After independence, India adopted socialist import-substitution industrialization, which led to slow economic growth during the Cold War. However, following economic liberalization measures in the 1990s, India experienced rapid economic growth, particularly distinguishing itself in the Information Technology (IT) industry and emerging as a global IT powerhouse. During this process, advanced technologies were primarily utilized as tools for economic development rather than national security. AI was also perceived as a tool to contribute to economic growth, industrial development, and infrastructure development, with interest in its military applications being relatively limited. The Indian government consistently emphasizes the development of domestic industries and seeks to position AI and digital technologies as key pillars of economic growth (Mohan 2024, 445-449). Indeed, India has presented a plan to expand the share of the digital economy in its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from the current approximately 11% to 22% by 2026, indicating that the priority for advanced technology development lies in the economic dimension (Levesques 2024).

However, in recent times, with the increasing instability of the international security environment and the intensification of strategic competition with China and Pakistan, interest in the military potential of AI has gradually expanded. China, considered the greatest threat in India's strategic security environment, has achieved remarkable results in AI and advanced technology fields and is actively utilizing them in its defense and weapon systems. This sense of crisis has spurred India to initiate serious discussions on the military application of AI (Bommakanti 2020). Furthermore, the fact that Pakistan, which has an adversarial relationship with India, is rapidly achieving results in AI-based weaponry in cooperation with China also heightens India's vigilance.

In 2018, the Indian government, through the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog), a national think tank chaired by Prime Minister Modi, published "National Strategy of Artificial Intelligence: AI for All," presenting a comprehensive direction for AI development. In the defense sector, the Department of Defense Production formed a task force in the same year to review strategies for AI defense applications and released the report "Strategic Implementation of AI for National Security and Defense" in June. This report emphasized the necessity of applying AI in air and ground warfare, cyber defense, and response to nuclear and biological attacks, and recommended a close collaboration model with private companies. Subsequently, in 2019, the Defense AI Council (DAIC) and the Defense AI Project Agency (DAIPA) were established to systematically pursue and institutionally support defense AI-related policies. The DAIC, chaired by the Minister of Defense, includes the Chiefs of Staff of each military branch, the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), and representatives from industry and academia. The DAIC functions as the body overseeing AI policy formulation, operational system development, and support. Concurrently, the DAIPA, headed by the Secretary of Defense Production, comprises representatives from each military branch, Defense Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), DRDO, academia, and industry, and is responsible for the development of AI technologies and systems in the defense sector (Hooda 2023).

In July 2022, Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh hosted the 'AI in Defense (AiDef)' symposium, unveiling 75 defense AI technologies. These included 3D-printed surveillance systems, rail-mounted robots, autonomous interceptors, AI-based drone swarms and storm drones, cognitive radar, unmanned vehicles, motion and anomaly detectors, target identification systems, facial and gesture recognition technologies, voice recognition and real-time translators, and monitoring and prediction systems (Ministry of Defense 2022). This reflects the Indian government's policy intention to actively utilize advanced AI technologies for military purposes. For efficient AI utilization, India has identified the acquisition of large volumes of high-quality data, expansion of AI interoperability among the three services, high-performance computing resources, strengthening of cybersecurity, establishment of ethical and legal responsibility norms, and active utilization of private sector expertise as key requirements. Notably, India was reported to have experienced more state-sponsored cyberattacks than the United States as of 2023, making cybersecurity a significant challenge for military AI operations (Hooda 2023; Mohan 2024).

The Defense AI Implementation Plan is being led by the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) and the Headquarters of the Integrated Defense Staff (HQ IDS), and is developing strategies that include AI utilization goals, application areas, scale, organizational reforms, and ethical issues. To this end, a Directorate of AI has been established within the HQ IDS to handle policy, data, and acquisition. In particular, the management of human-machine relationships is highlighted as a critical challenge; while granting excessive autonomy to AI could exacerbate ethical issues, overemphasizing human decision-making authority could limit AI's capabilities, presenting a dilemma. Consequently, the Indian military is focusing on finding a balance between these two aspects. Furthermore, there is a need to create an institutional environment that allows advanced AI personnel to engage in defense work for extended periods. However, the military is at a disadvantage in competition with the private sector, leading to efforts to strengthen cooperation with private industry. The private sector is driving AI innovation, and the military seeks to expand this to the development and application of dual-use technologies. Nevertheless, India's defense AI investment remains meager compared to China's. Currently, the Indian military invests approximately $50 million annually in AI, which is only about one-thirtieth of China's investment (Krishnan 2023).

Currently, India is cooperating with allies such as the United States and Israel, while simultaneously pursuing localization efforts through independent research and development under the slogan 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-Reliant India). The DRDO and its Center for AI & Robotics are playing a leading role in developing various military robots for tasks such as border surveillance and explosive ordnance disposal. However, a comprehensive national security strategy has not yet been clearly articulated, and there are criticisms that R&D investment is relatively insufficient compared to China, prompting ongoing efforts to overcome this (Mohan 2024, 452-453).

II. Technology and Corporate Ecosystem

The contribution of startups is prominent in the development of AI and advanced defense technologies in India. As an IT powerhouse, India possesses numerous technology startups, and the Ministry of Defense has recently emphasized policies to strengthen military AI capabilities through cooperation with private companies. Representative examples include active participation from Skylark Labs, Sagar Defence, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, and Bharat Electronics Limited through the 'Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX)' program. The role of university research institutes is also increasingly important. The Indian government has also sought to systematically integrate domestic talent and capabilities into defense development through the 'Make' procedure within the Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020 (DAP 2020). This procedure encourages Indian public and private enterprises to actively participate in the conceptualization, development, and production phases of defense projects and provides financial incentives. In this context, the DRDO has played a crucial role in promoting technology transfer and fostering an innovative environment. The rapid evolution of Indian startups and the country's proud ecosystem of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) over the past decade, driven by active government encouragement, are assessed to have significantly advanced technological innovation in the defense sector (Das 2024).

With the global military AI market projected to more than double from $16 billion in 2025 to $35 billion by 2030, India, the world's fifth-largest military spender, is actively integrating AI into its defense strategy, similar to other major powers. India's defense AI market is expected to grow from $700 million in 2025 to $2.5 billion by 2030, representing an average annual growth rate of 28%, significantly exceeding the global average. Similar to global trends in defense AI, India is expected to see Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) remain the largest segment, but autonomous and semi-autonomous weapon systems are projected to grow the fastest at a 35% CAGR, followed by the cyber domain (see graph below). Within the autonomous systems sector, drone swarms, autonomous air defense systems, and AI-based naval weapon systems are expected to emerge as key revenue drivers (Choudhary 2025).[1]The defense startup ecosystem in India already integrates AI into products from 89% of its companies, attracting a total investment of $386 million. These companies are active in areas ranging from edge AI for real-time navigation to generative AI for military training simulations. Furthermore, the strategic potential of AI was clearly demonstrated during recent armed conflicts with Pakistan, where AI-based weapon systems played a significant role. DRDO-led weapon systems contributed to ISR, autonomous target detection, and precision strike systems, with significant contributions also coming from private companies like ideaForge and Big Bang Boom Solutions. Indian defense technology startups are currently focusing their investments primarily on drone and anti-drone systems, with almost all such platforms now integrating AI technology (Choudhary 2025). In the drone sector, companies such as Adani Aerospace, Solar Defence, Zen Technologies, Idea Forge, and NewSpace Research & Technologies, along with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), are actively involved (Haider and Babar 2025). This trend suggests that India's defense startup ecosystem is positioning itself as a central hub for AI defense innovation.

<Figure 1>Comparative Outlook of India's Defense AI Market

Source: Lokesh Choudhary. 2025. “Defence In The Age Of AI: Is India’s Moment Here?” Aug 15.

In India's defense startup ecosystem, 89% of companies have already integrated AI into their products, attracting a total investment of $386 million. These companies are active in areas ranging from edge AI for real-time navigation to generative AI for military training simulations. Furthermore, the strategic potential of AI was clearly demonstrated during recent armed conflicts with Pakistan, where AI-based weapon systems played a significant role. DRDO-led weapon systems contributed to ISR, autonomous target detection, and precision strike systems, with significant contributions also coming from private companies like ideaForge and Big Bang Boom Solutions. Indian defense technology startups are currently focusing their investments primarily on drone and anti-drone systems, with almost all such platforms now integrating AI technology (Choudhary 2025). In the drone sector, companies such as Adani Aerospace, Solar Defence, Zen Technologies, Idea Forge, and NewSpace Research & Technologies, along with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), are actively involved (Haider and Babar 2025). This trend suggests that India's defense startup ecosystem is positioning itself as a central hub for AI defense innovation.

III. Military Strategy and Operational Concepts

India's defense AI utilization is broadly expanding across command and control, surveillance and reconnaissance, unmanned combat, and cyber/information warfare. India's military thought is rooted in the long tradition of Hindu philosophy, particularly the concepts of dharmayuddha (righteous war) and kutayuddha (unrighteous war). These traditions have contributed to India's military doctrine being relatively defensive and passive, and civilian supremacy has been institutionally emphasized in civil-military relations. Nevertheless, changes in the modern security environment demand that India actively respond to new threats. For example, the potential threat posed by China's advanced unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology and drone swarm tactics, as well as the possibility of similar attacks by Pakistan-backed armed groups, have rapidly increased offensive threats in border regions. Despite this threat perception, India still maintains its traditional defense-oriented doctrine, which is linked to the legitimacy of military action, principles of civilian control, and international legal considerations. However, among experts, there is a growing call for the development of counter-swarm tactics, anti-drone interception systems, or AI-based offensive means with partially relaxed ethical constraints. Simultaneously, the practical value of AI and unmanned systems in logistics and surveillance operations in rugged mountainous terrain, and in internal security missions, is increasingly recognized. Consequently, India's tactical and operational concepts are showing a transitional pattern, maintaining a traditional defensive orientation while expanding the use of unmanned systems and AI (Reichberg and Roy 2024).[2].

Human control is a crucial normative principle within India's political and social context. Civilian leaders and strategists have expressed strong reservations about situations where mechanical killing occurs beyond human control or where Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems (LAWS) are permitted on the battlefield. Therefore, the principle of human primacy in human-machine relations remains a fundamental premise of Indian military policy. However, in reality, the expansion of unmanned systems and AI applications across the air, naval, and land forces is inevitable. Currently, the Indian Air Force primarily acknowledges the ISR capabilities of UAVs, but it is anticipated that AI will increasingly assist commanders in decision-making time and provide automated recommendations (coalition of options) based on tactical and operational needs. In this process, compliance with the principles of distinction and proportionality under International Humanitarian Law (IHL) becomes more complex (Reichberg and Roy 2024).

Above all, accountability in the event of accidents related to the operation of AI weapon systems is emerging as a core issue. There is a need for clear norms and training systems regarding how responsibility will be distributed among the scientists and programmers who design and develop AI, the military authorities who acquire, deploy, and operate it, and the soldiers who actually control the weapon systems. Therefore, the argument is gaining traction that India must ensure a balance between human judgment and machine recommendations by establishing and implementing integrated training programs that include ethical and legal responsibilities, clear rules and procedures (standard operating procedures) for AI operation, and joint training for technology developers and military operators.

1. AI Technology Utilization Status by Indian Military Branch

(1) Army

The Indian Army is utilizing artificial intelligence in various areas, including logistics management, battlefield simulation, and predictive analysis. Currently, over 140 AI-based surveillance systems are deployed in border areas, and the Proactive Real-time Intelligence and Surveillance Monitoring (PRISM) system collects and analyzes real-time audiovisual information to identify threats. Additionally, the Seeker Monitoring and Analysis System, linked with facial recognition technology (FRT), performs surveillance and monitoring functions and is highly utilized in tracking vehicles and identifying intruders in border areas. Furthermore, the Indian Army is developing its own AI-based swarm and storm drones with beyond-visual-range (BVLOS) strike capabilities, and is providing soldiers with multilingual translation devices to support real-time communication. Thus, the Indian Army is actively employing AI technology for object identification, drones, high-resolution cameras, and sensors (Vivek 2024; Zaidi 2025; Mundhra 2025). Recently, NewSpace Research & Technologies supplied the Indian Army with an 'autonomous surveillance and armed drone swarm' (A-SADS). This drone swarm includes two unmanned systems, Beluga and Nimbus Mk-III, which can operate in swarm mode for up to three hours at a maximum range of 50 km to overwhelm enemy targets (Haider and Babar 2025). Moreover, due to the rugged mountainous terrain, logistical supply has been challenging in the northern border regions with Pakistan and China, where conventional means of transporting supplies are costly and slow. The Army is extensively using logistics drones in these high-altitude Himalayan regions. The Army distinguishes between two categories of drones: standard drones and high-altitude drones, based on an altitude of 12,000 feet (approximately 3,657 meters). High-altitude drones are actively being developed and utilized to transport necessary supplies to troops in mountainous areas under any weather or season, operating without issues even at high altitudes. The transition to drones reduces both the time and personnel required for supply missions, is more cost-effective than manned helicopters or transport aircraft, and is relatively safer from the risk of avalanches, which cause the most casualties, due to less noise. Therefore, logistics drones are expected to play a significant role for the Indian Army in the future (Haider 2025 b).[3].

(2) Navy

Since 2020, the Indian Navy has primarily used Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions. The Indian Navy employs machine learning algorithms for maritime surveillance and threat detection and has developed indigenous autonomous fast interceptor boats (AFIBs) for special forces operations. It also operates AI equipment that supports Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), anomaly detection, and acoustic analysis. In particular, the establishment of a Tactical Data Link (TDL) system is essential for the Navy's efforts to evolve into a Blue Water Navy and is also a priority in the 2015-2030 Indian Naval Indigenisation Plan (INIP). In 2023, the Navy deployed its first Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) capable of performing missions such as underwater surveillance and mine detection and disposal. Currently, it is developing AI-based Combat Management Systems (CMS) for naval vessels and integrating automation technologies like Integrated Platform Management Systems (IPMS) into next-generation warships. The Navy is also actively promoting cooperation among indigenous private companies, startups, and academia in response to the Modi government's indigenization initiative (Vivek 2024; Pant and Bommakanti 2023, 13-14).

(3) Air Force

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is focusing on unmanned systems and automation, and has developed a system to recognize and classify enemy aircraft activities using AI-based air defense weapon systems. The DRDO is continuously researching new Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) configurations for the Air Force, which also attracts the interest of the Army. The Air Force has also established an AI-based Campaign Planning and Analysis System (CPAS) to support force operations and extensively utilizes AI in reconnaissance, virtual reality, and wargaming. Furthermore, the Indian Air Force has been striving to acquire Israeli drones for ISR and long-range target detection and destruction, and actively utilized these drones during the recent conflict with Pakistan (Vivek 2024; Mohan 2024, 453-455; Pant and Bommakanti 2023, 15). Recently, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has garnered attention for its advanced drone development program, the "Combat Air Teaming System" (CATS). This concept is based on the MUM-T system and can perform various attack and reconnaissance missions, including through the remotely piloted aerial platform CATS Warrior. Given that six Indian Air Force fighter jets were reportedly shot down during the recent conflict with Pakistan, damaging the IAF's reputation, it is expected that drones will be actively used alongside standoff missiles to attack targets within Pakistan. This suggests that India will intensify efforts to integrate CATS Warrior and drone corps for penetrating Pakistan's air defenses and preventing losses of manned fighter aircraft (Haider and Babar 2025).

(4) Indian Armed Forces Overall

Overall, the Indian Armed Forces are improving intra-unit communication by adopting voice recognition analysis software and recognize that integrating AI into defense strategy is essential for national defense indigenization and self-reliance. They are also actively adopting advanced AI technologies through close cooperation with allies such as the United States, Israel, and Japan, and are utilizing AI not only for deterrence against China and Pakistan but also for counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations. Applications in simulation, wargaming, and training are also noteworthy. However, addressing issues such as data privacy, cybersecurity, and ethical/legal concerns remains a significant challenge, and narrowing the technological gap within the context of the U.S.-China AI competition is recognized as a strategic imperative. Although AI-related departments have been established in all three services and cooperation with the private sector is increasing, difficulties are being encountered in recruiting highly skilled personnel (Vivek 2024; Pant and Bommakanti 2023, 30-31). Furthermore, despite recent improvements, AI interoperability among the three services is still not satisfactory and requires enhancement. The acquisition of infrastructure such as data centers and high-performance computers, which are essential for the smooth operation of AI-based weapon systems, is limited by the military's financial capacity, necessitating further strengthening of collaboration with private companies. Most importantly, while national strategies for AI are emerging at the government level, a specific AI strategy for Indian defense is still lacking, leading to a strong call for the establishment of a 'Defense AI Strategy' to provide a security strategy foundation (Chakravarty 2025).

2. May 7–10 India-Pakistan Armed Conflict and Defense AI

Recently, AI-based weapon systems were extensively used for the first time by the Indian military in an armed conflict with Pakistan. India has experienced several wars and armed conflicts with Pakistan, primarily over Kashmir. The Modi government, which has vowed strong retaliation against Pakistani militant groups, responded to terrorist attacks in Indian-administered Kashmir in 2016 and 2019 with a surgical strike by special forces and airstrikes on targets within Pakistani territory by air force aircraft, respectively. Given that Prime Minister Modi achieved significant political success with the strong response in February 2019, concerns grew that a similar situation would lead to an even stronger response. Amidst these concerns, a terrorist attack in Indian-administered Kashmir on April 25, 2025, resulted in 26 deaths, prompting the Indian military to launch Operation Sindoor on May 7. For the next four days, both countries engaged in intense clashes, using aircraft, missiles, and drones to attack each other's air bases, air defense facilities, and missile sites, escalating the risk of nuclear weapon use. Fortunately, the crisis subsided without further escalation, but the embers of conflict remain. This armed conflict is assessed as the first instance where AI-based weapon systems, including drones, were comprehensively employed in a conflict between the two nations. The Indian military stated that it extensively utilized drones to support its precision strike capabilities, developed over time, to achieve the clear political objective of destroying terrorist bases (Times of India 2025).

India's interest in drones began in the 1990s, but its development has not been satisfactory, leading to a heavy reliance on imported drones, primarily from Israel, rather than indigenous ones (Mahla 2022). In the recent conflict, the Indian military utilized Israeli-made IAI Searcher and Heron drones for reconnaissance missions, and deployed Harpy and Harop suicide drones (loitering munitions) for airstrikes. Other drones reportedly used include the Nagastra-1, Warmate R, and Warmate 3. Specifically, the Harop was reportedly used for direct strikes on Pakistani military facilities, while the Harpy was employed for Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD). Additionally, the Indo-Israeli joint venture Sky-Striker drone was deployed to strike key infrastructure of terrorist organizations, and an AI-based Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) was also utilized in the operation. Pakistan, on the other hand, operated hundreds of Chinese and Turkish drones, along with domestically produced ones, in swarm formations. The extensive use of drones, offering minimized casualties, cost-effectiveness compared to missiles, long-range precision strike capabilities, and a relatively limited risk of escalation, suggests their increased utilization in future India-Pakistan conflicts. However, the large-scale deployment of drones could exacerbate the stability-instability paradox. Depending on drone operational methods and the adversary's perception, they may not significantly deter escalation and could instead pose a risk of unintended escalation. Therefore, considering drones as 'low-risk, low-escalation' means in conflicts between nuclear-armed states and relying on them carries serious strategic implications due to the potential for unintended military expansion. Nevertheless, Prime Minister Modi's declaration of a "new normal" where any terrorist act will be met with accountability and retaliation from Pakistan suggests that this experience indicates a potential increase in the use of drones and AI weapon systems in future conflicts between the two nations (Basrur 2025; Haltiwanger 2025; Dass and Basit 2025; Haider 2025a).

With drones playing a significant role in the armed conflict with Pakistan, it is evident that the Indian Ministry of Defence will continue to enhance its drone capabilities. The Indian government aims to reduce its reliance on foreign technology and finished products from countries like Israel and increase the proportion of domestically produced systems. Since the Modi government launched the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme in 2020, support for drone and component manufacturing companies has been significantly strengthened. Fueled by this support, approximately 600 companies are currently engaged in drone-related production as of 2025. Following the armed conflict with Pakistan, recognizing the risks of foreign dependency for critical weapon systems in times of crisis, the Indian government allocated $234 million to the domestic drone industry in July. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), a key player in advanced weapons system development, is working on Ghatak, India's first stealth unmanned platform, scheduled for public unveiling in 2026.[4], and earlier this year unveiled its first small rotary-wing drone capable of launching small missiles for anti-tank and bunker-busting missions. Numerous private sector companies, alongside the DRDO-developed and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)-manufactured D-4 counter-drone system, are developing counter-drone systems employing soft-kill and hard-kill methods. Examples include the Bhargavastra system, which can neutralize drones up to 2.5 km away using small guided projectiles. As emphasized by the recent remarks of Indian Chief of Defence Staff General Chauhan, who stressed the need for increased investment in next-generation drone research and development (R&D) and the establishment of new drone startups, efforts to rapidly produce and supply diverse drone platforms to the military are expected to continue, thereby strengthening India's capabilities in modern drone warfare (Haider and Babar 2025).

In early October, evaluating Operation Sindoor, Lieutenant General Rajiv Kumar Soni, Director General of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers and former Director General of Information Systems during the operation, highlighted it as India's first military operation to intensively utilize Artificial Intelligence (AI). He emphasized that AI enabled precise strikes on targets in a human-in-the-loop format by identifying risks and providing accurate threat coordinates. General Soni stated that the Indian military's AI, trained on 26 years of historical data, enabled the acquisition of Pakistani military intelligence and accurate target designation. He further revealed that this capability is being upgraded through a military-grade large language model (LLM), which is expected to be operational in approximately six months. A total of 23 applications were integrated into this operation, providing a comprehensive battlefield overview and post-strike assessments. Key AI-based systems included the Electronic Intelligence Collection and Analysis System (ECAS), TRINETRA (integrated with Project SANJAY), and predictive modeling and weather forecasting tools. These tools are credited with enhancing situational awareness, decision-making capabilities, and providing commanders with more accurate battlefield insights at both tactical and operational levels. The Indian Army also pledged to continuously develop and enhance indigenous AI technologies to ensure thorough preparedness for national security (Sharma 2025; Philip 2025). Consequently, the confidence gained from this operation and the validation of the utility of AI-based weapon systems are expected to further intensify the Indian military's efforts in developing and utilizing AI-based weapon systems.

IV. International Political and Economic Context

India's defense AI strategy is unfolding within an international political and economic context. Recently, cooperation with the United States has accelerated to reduce reliance on Russia and counterbalance China. The U.S. and India have strengthened cooperation in military AI through the U.S.-India AI Initiative (USIAI) and iCET (critical and emerging technologies) collaboration. During the India-U.S. summit shortly after the inauguration of Trump's second term, both nations officially announced the launch of the 'U.S.-India TRUST (Transforming the Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology) Initiative'. A central pillar of this initiative is the agreement by leaders of both countries to present an 'U.S.-India Roadmap on Accelerating AI Infrastructure' in collaboration with the private sectors of the United States and India (Chaudhuri and Mohanty 2025). The Observer Research Foundation (ORF), a prominent Indian think tank, has strongly recommended that India and the U.S. establish an AI task force to expand ongoing projects or initiate impactful and scalable projects aligned with the two core objectives of accelerating AI innovation and promoting the adoption of trustworthy AI (ORF & UC San Diego 2025). Furthermore, India has continued its cooperation with the U.S. in the AI domain through the procurement of MQ-9 Reaper drones and the construction of AI facilities in India by U.S. companies.[5].

Additionally, India is expanding defense cooperation with Israel through the Vision on Defence Cooperation (Vivek 2024), and Israeli drones were actively utilized in the recent India-Pakistan armed conflict. Cooperation is also strengthening with countries such as Japan and France, and recently, the potential for cooperation with South Korea in the AI field has garnered attention. Thus, while India is striving for AI self-sufficiency, it is also actively pursuing cooperation with countries that have advanced technological capabilities.

V. Key Assessments and Challenges

India's defense AI strategy pursues the dual objectives of 'self-reliant indigenization' and 'international cooperation' simultaneously.[6]However, key weaknesses include the absence of a national security strategy, insufficient investment and human resources, and a technological gap with China. The recent armed conflict with Pakistan has further underscored the necessity of utilizing defense AI, but a cautious approach is warranted, as drones and AI weapon systems cannot guarantee favorable outcomes in escalation control. In early September, the Indian Ministry of Defence announced an ambitious military modernization plan, the '15-Year Defence Plan,' aimed at developing AI-based weapon systems alongside hypersonic, laser, and nuclear-powered vessels to prepare for future battlefields through defense indigenization and self-reliance (Business Today 2025). This declaration signifies that AI-based weapon systems are considered a core component among future battlefield weapon systems.

From South Korea's perspective, India's experience offers significant implications. In particular, a thorough analysis of the military use of drones and AI weapon systems and their strategic implications can provide lessons applicable to the security environment on the Korean Peninsula. Cooperation with India in the AI field, given its rich IT experience, vast human resources, and immense potential, also warrants attention. The trilateral technology cooperation among South Korea, the U.S., and India, announced in March 2024, yielded agreements in semiconductors, AI, space, biotechnology, and quantum technology, but follow-up actions have been insufficient (Ramesh 2024). Although trilateral advanced technology cooperation has been continuously discussed since then, it has become strained due to the U.S.'s assertive "America First" policy under Trump's second term. However, this situation also drives cooperation between South Korea and India. As South Korea and India celebrate the 10th anniversary of their Special Strategic Partnership this year, there are numerous areas for mutually beneficial cooperation, including shipbuilding, space, semiconductors, and renewable energy, with AI being a particularly promising field. Cho Hyun, the new Minister of Foreign Affairs and former Ambassador to India (2015-2017), visited New Delhi in August to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Special Strategic Partnership. During his meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, they agreed to further expand the strategic partnership by setting new "industrial ambitions" in semiconductors, defense, clean energy, and AI (Indian Express 2025). In this geopolitically and economically favorable environment, South Korea should actively leverage India as a strategic partner for the development of AI and advanced defense technologies.■

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[1]Globally, defense AI investment shows a trend toward unmanned combat platforms capable of autonomous decision-making and action. In particular, areas such as drone swarms, loitering munitions, and unmanned tanks are expected to grow rapidly from $1.9 billion (12% of the total market) in 2025 to $11 billion (30%) in 2030. In contrast, the Information, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) sector, while representing the largest share at $5.1 billion in 2025, is projected to shrink to a 26% market share by 2030. This signifies that autonomy and combat-centric applications are increasingly occupying a central position within the defense AI ecosystem. The cybersecurity and information warfare sectors are also showing rapid growth, with a projected compound annual growth rate of 32% (Choudhary 2025).

[2]This trend is expected to accelerate following the armed conflict with Pakistan in May.

[3]However, there are concerns in Pakistan that India's efficient logistical support to ground forces in border areas using drones will enable future Indian military adventurism.

[4]This platform is reportedly capable of carrying approximately 1.5 tons of weaponry, has a range of 1,000 km, and can fly for up to 6 hours.

[5]However, given that India-US relations are at their worst in the past 25 years due to conflicts over the purchase of Russian crude oil, mediation of the India-Pakistan armed conflict, and the imposition of a 50% tariff higher than any other country, it is difficult to predict the progress of cooperation in advanced technologies such as AI between the two countries (Jacob 2025).

[6]India's defense indigenization efforts are being actively pursued. While India's defense budget, ranked fifth globally, increased 2.6 times from 2013-14 to 2025-26, the growth rate of domestically produced defense equipment during the similar period (2014-15 to 2024-25) increased 2.24 times. This indicates that India, a top global arms importer, is committed to defense indigenization, with AI indigenization being one of its important goals (Press Information Bureau 2025).

■Author: Kim Tae-hyung_Professor, Soongsil University.

■ Responsible for and Edited by: Lim Jae-hyun_EAI Research Fellow

    Inquiries: 02 2277 1683 (ext. 209) | jhim@eai.or.kr