The Indian Army carried out a live demonstration of Drone Swarming capability using 75 indigenously designed and developed drones which executed an array of Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled simulated offensive missions and close support tasks during the Army Day Parade held at Delhi Cantt on 15 January 2021.
This demonstration is a recognition of the Indian Army’s steady embrace of emerging and disruptive technologies to transform itself from a manpower intensive to a technology enabled force to meet future security challenges. The Indian Army is investing heavily into Artificial Intelligence (AI), Autonomous Weapon Systems, Quantum Technologies, Robotics, Cloud Computing and Algorithm Warfare in order to achieve a convergence between the Army’s warfighting philosophies and military attributes of these technologies.
The Indian Army has undertaken a wide array of technology initiatives in coordination with Dreamers, Startups, MSMEs, Private Sector, Academia, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs). One such project is the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Offensive Drone Operations which has been incubated with an Indian Start Up. This project symbolises the beginning of the Indian Army’s tryst with autonomy in weapon platforms and showcases the Army’s commitment towards merging the cutting edge of digital technologies with its human resource.
Headquarters Southern Command organised a wreath laying ceremony at the National War Memorial, Pune on 15 January 2021 being 73rd “ARMY DAY”. Army Day is celebrated every year to commemorate the taking over of the Indian Army by the first Indian Commander-in-Chief, Lieutenant General (Later Field Marshal) KM Cariappa, OBE, on the 15 January 1948. The theme for the Army Day 2021 is “Indian Army Strong and Capable”. Lieutenant General CP Mohanty, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command laid the wreath and paid homage to all valiant soldiers who have made the supreme sacrifice while safeguarding the sovereignty and integrity of the Nation. The Army Commander also conveyed his best wishes to all ranks, veterans, veer naris and their family members on the auspicious occasion and called upon all ranks of Southern Command to rededicate themselves to the task of protecting and safeguarding the motherland from both internal and external adversaries. He said that despite the COVID pandemic the Southern Command was operationally geared up to give a befitting response to misadventures by our adversaries and was prepared to thwart any challenge that comes on its way. He also reassured Southern Command’s commitment towards continued assistance to citizens in times of any calamities or natural disasters.