With drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) playing a major role in modern-day warfare, the Indian Army is now inducting swarm drone systems. They will enhance operational readiness of the forces deployed at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) facing China and the Line of Control (LOC) with Pakistan. Two Indian start ups have manufactured these artificial intelligence(AI)enabled drones.
A group of drones (swarm) operating in conjunction with the ground manoeuvre forces will provide an aerial manoeuvre capability during both offensive and defensive operations, thereby enhancing the combat potential of the ground forces.
Giving details here on Friday, sources said drone technology has proved to be a force multiplier in military operations as evident from its application in various recent conflicts across the world. Even in our context, the recent incidents along the borders have seen a noticeable increase in drone related incidents along our borders, they said.
The application of swarm drones in various recent conflicts across the world especially Armenia, Azerbaijan, Syria and strikes on oilfields in Saudi Arabia and the recent Russia-Ukraine conflict clearly highlighted the potency of this niche technology.
Swarm drones in the Indian context are needed for providing tactical commanders with a force multiplier capable of providing surveillance inputs, undertaking close reconnaissance of a particular area to confirm inputs received from other ISR resources, engage varied targets like vehicles, artillery and Air Defence equipment, enemy command and control centers and opportunities.
Drones can be employed in both offensive and defensive operations, providing a decisive edge to the tactical commanders employing them.
Swarm Drone System consists of a number of aerial vehicles which are Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled and capable of communicating with the control station as well as among themselves.
The AI based Swarming algorithms enable the swarm drones to automatically distribute the tasks among themselves, navigate to the area of interest, ensure collision avoidance during movement to the target area and carryout search of the area.
The AI based Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) feature enables the drones to automatically recognise targets line tanks gun gum, vehicles and human and display it on the control station screen thus minimizing chances of the operator missing any target and also facilitating engagement by suitable type of weapon platform.
To induct this niche technology, the Indian Army has procured Swarm Drones from two Indian startup companies. In addition, the Army has also initiated a Make-II case, Autonomous Surveillance and Armed Drone Swarm (A-SADS) which includes a number of improvements and also a version for High Altitude Area.
This procurement is recognition of the Indian Army’s embrace of emerging and disruptive technologies to transform itself from a manpower intensive to a technology enabled force to meet future security challenges.