Lt Gen Vipul Shinghal, Deputy Chief of the Army Staff, addressed the symposium at ‘The Algorithmic Battlefield’ symposium in New Delhi. His address was themed around the increasing relevance of digital autonomy, sovereign data, indigenous algorithms and resilient operational systems- being critical components of emerging warfare.

Lt Gen Shinghal said the nature of military decision making has changed dramatically. What once involved commanders studying paper maps and gradually building an operational picture has evolved into a highly digitised environment where sensors, algorithms and networks can compress the decision cycle to mere seconds. “Today, when you walk into an op room, it's like Star Wars,” he said, describing the transformation from paper maps and physical markers to wall to wall digital displays, where sensors can directly map targets and algorithms can help prioritise them.

He also mentioned about a new dilemma which commanders face. As both sides gain access to increasingly sophisticated sensors and algorithms, the traditional OODA loop, i.e. Observe, Orient, Decide and Act, now has much lesser time to operate. “The OODA loop has no time to breathe,” Lt Gen Singhal said, emphasizing on the growing pressure on commanders to make decisions in an environment where the adversary may possess similar technological capabilities. He said, this decision-making lies at the core of emerging warfare.

Lt Gen Shinghal mentioned about a key underlying challenge at the core of the dymanics revolving around the role of AI in warfare. An AI enabled system cannot simply operate as a “black box” that produces an answer without explaining the basis of that decision. Commanders need confidence that the underlying data is sovereign, authentic and free from manipulation, while also understanding the logic used by the algorithm. “The black box, so to speak, has to be a glass box,” he said, highlighting the importance of the relevance of the data obtained.

According to Lt Gen Shinghal, the Army is working towards establishing a sovereign data storage system that can provide authorised access to data required by intelligence, operational and logistics elements. The initiative is being supported by investments in data centres and computing infrastructure, alongside efforts to strengthen the Army's trusted networks. The challenge is not simply collecting more data, but also determining how information from different sources can be securely fused, while at the same time, maintaining the integrity of sensitive military networks.

In his keynote address, General Shinghal outlined three essential layers for achieving digital autonomy. The first is the data layer, where military data must be controlled and managed indigenously. The second is the algorithmic layer, where the algorithms processing that data should also be developed and controlled domestically and the third is the operational layer, where systems must remain functional even under cyber attacks or degraded conditions.

“Strategic autonomy is not possible without digital autonomy,” he said. As part of this effort, the Army is developing sovereign large language models and small language models, along with systems aimed at improving situational awareness and combat decision support. These capabilities are intended to accelerate the OODA loop and create a more seamless connection between sensors and shooters.

He also mentioned about the need to extract maximum value from existing systems by integrating newer technologies with legacy equipment. The objective is to make the Army's existing systems smarter rather than outrightly replacing everything. “The dumb phone has to be made into a smart phone,” he said with regard to the need to modernise legacy capabilities alongside the induction of new technology.

Another challenge mentioned by him was the mismatch between the pace of technological development and traditional defence procurement. Technology can change within months, while procurement processes often take considerably longer. He also assured industry representatives that delays in procurement should not be interpreted as a lack of interest from the armed forces.

Despite the growing role of autonomous systems, Lt Gen Singhal emphasised that technology cannot eliminate human responsibility from warfare. Drawing on India's civilisational traditions, he argued that the growing capabilities of AI make the principle of human oversight even more important. “Any AI enabled system must have either a human in the loop or human on the loop wherever it's possible,” he said. He said that any AI-enabled system shall undergo sufficient human evaluation. Lt Gen Shinghal compared this to conventional weapon systems, which undergo extensive field evaluation before entering service. “If a system is going to ultimately lead to violence on the battlefield, it needs to be inducted in the same way,” he said.

The Army's approach, therefore, is not simply about acquiring artificial intelligence. It is about building an ecosystem of sovereign data, indigenous algorithms, resilient networks, modernised legacy equipment and responsible human oversight. He also called for closer engagement between the armed forces and industry, emphasising that technology developers should be involved from the stage of defining military requirements rather than entering the process only when procurement begins.

As warfare becomes increasingly dependent on the speed at which information can be collected, processed and converted into action, the Indian Army's AI transformation is ultimately aimed at the objective of compressing the decision cycle while ensuring that the decisions remain trusted, resilient and accountable.

Chakra Desk

Chakra News is a specialised digital media platform committed to in-depth coverage of India’s defence, national security, geopolitics, and critical technologies.