India is not fighting yesterday's war, but it is in a transitional phase, balancing conventional military strength with a push to integrate AI, drones, and robotics. The Indian defense establishment has acknowledged the critical importance of these technologies and has active programs to develop and induct them.

However, progress is often slow due to bureaucratic hurdles, budget constraints, and technological gaps, leaving the military with a mixed operational profile.

The Shift from Conventional to "Tech-Driven" Warfare-

India's defense establishment has explicitly articulated the need to move from traditional warfare to a tech-driven model. The Indian Army's new modernization roadmap, for instance, focuses on integrating AI, machine learning, and Big Data to enhance battlefield awareness, speed up decision-making, and modernize logistics.

• AI for Situational Awareness: The military has already implemented AI-powered surveillance systems for border security, using video analytics to autonomously detect movement along sensitive border stretches. The Defence AI Council (DAIC) and Defence AI Project Agency (DAIPA) have been established to oversee the integration of over 75 AI projects across the armed forces.

• Drones for Reconnaissance and Combat: The Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force are all rapidly inducting drones. The Indian Army, for example, is planning to acquire over 1,900 UAVs, and a major Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAV program is underway to enhance surveillance and strike capabilities. Furthermore, indigenous programs like the CATS Warrior, a "loyal wingman" drone, are being developed to operate alongside manned fighter jets, a testament to India's move toward future warfare concepts.

• Robots for High-Risk Tasks: The Indian Army has begun deploying robotic mules and other unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) for logistics and reconnaissance in high-risk zones, such as the Line of Control (LoC). These robots are designed to navigate challenging terrain and perform tasks like mine detection and supply transport, reducing the risk to human soldiers.

Challenges and the Reality of Integration-

Despite these ambitious plans, India's transition to a high-tech military is not without significant challenges.

• Budgetary Constraints: While the defense budget has increased, a large portion is allocated to revenue expenditure (salaries and pensions), leaving insufficient capital for the rapid acquisition of new platforms and R&D. The Defence AI Project Agency only has an annual budget of around INR 100 crore, which is a very small amount for the scale of the projects required.

• Technological Gaps: India still lacks indigenous capabilities in many critical areas, such as jet engines for its fighter jets and advanced sensors for its drones. This reliance on foreign suppliers can create supply chain vulnerabilities and slow down the pace of modernization.

• Bureaucratic Delays: India's defense procurement process is notoriously slow and cumbersome. Even with "emergency procurement" powers, the process from concept to a fully operational system can take years, hindering the military's ability to keep pace with rapid technological advancements.

In conclusion, India is actively engaged in developing and deploying AI, drones, and robotics, and is clearly aware of the need to fight tomorrow's war.

However, it is not yet fully a "future-ready" force. The progress is there, but the pace is slow and uneven, creating a hybrid military that is both high-tech and, in some respects, a force that is still catching up.