Introduction to AI
The birth of Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be traced back to the 1950s in an American computer scientist Alan Turing’s essay on ‘Computing machinery and intelligence’. Later on, the term AI was used as a title of a conference held at Dartmouth College in 1955. (Morgan, 2020) Since then the development in AI started. The definition of Artificial Intelligence is ‘the ability of the computer system to perform tasks that normally required human intelligence.’ Automation, machine learning, deep learning are the significant areas of AI. In the decade of 1990s, the evolution of AI started rapidly across civilian and military sectors. The use of AI enhances the capacity and effectiveness of work. It is an AI technology that can be integrated into platforms or in particular equipment, thereafter equipment can perform on its own.
The effective use of AI can enhance information gathering and decision making in national security architecture. Countries like the US, China, Russia are major players in the research of AI. The US is effectively using AI in its national security architecture. It has developed several autonomous technologies such as UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle), Drones, Unmanned submarines. It has also enhanced the research on robots which can be a vital angle in warfare.
This article tries to look at the uses of AI by major powers particularly the US, China, Russia for their national security and military purposes. And further, it tries to explore how AI technology would be able to contribute to India’s national security.
AI in Indian Armed forces
For a country like India, the Indian armed forces have to manage its 15000 KMs land border and 7516.5 KMs marine borders; it also has to surveillance vast airspace 24*7. The smart and adequate use of AI in armed forces would enhance the capabilities and effectiveness of all forces.
UAVs, drones and loiter munitions technology can be used for surveillance and reconnaissance. The small drones can be used in tactical operations by forces. It would help to provide real-time intelligence for tactical decision making by commanders. The firepower of UAVs is lethal enough to attack enemy tanks and artillery systems. UAVs have emerged as the most potent delivery platforms; Azerbaijan has used drones and UAVs to attack Armenian forces in the war of Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan’s unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones dominated the conventional ground forces of the Armenians. (Chandra, 2020)
The use of radars and sensors to monitor India’s land borders would eventually enhance border management architecture. It would help to monitor and contain infiltration on border areas. The forces can also use ‘face recognition’ system platforms to detect the enemy in surveillance by Drones and UAVs. The use of robots would be integrated into the close combat battle, robots would be able to enter into the target area and attack on adversaries. Its capacities are more lethal than humans. These technologies can effectively be used in counter-insurgency and anti-terror operations by armed forces and paramilitary forces.
The AI is getting integrated into unmanned surface vehicles such as tanks and cars (Unmanned cars can be used in the military). Russia is developing ‘Udar’ unmanned tanks which are also able to interact with drones and can mount robots on them. (Asthana, 2021) India has established an integrated battle group (IBGs) as a part of its ‘Cold start’ doctrine. The Integration of AI in the battle tanks as well as communication between tanks and drones would provide the upper hand to the Armored corps. Another point the Indian Army will have to consider is the use of drones against tanks, artillery and manned force. Azerbaijan used Turkish drones to attack Armenian conventional forces. In the possible scenario, China and Turkey can export drones and UAVs to Pakistan. Thus, it is likely that Pakistan can use drones and UAVs in order to counter India’s cold start doctrine.
AI can also be used in Naval platforms. The US, Russia, and China are putting efforts into research upon unmanned platforms for the navy. The use of unmanned submarines would be an integral part of naval warfare. In 2020, China has successfully tested 56 ‘swarm sharks’, which can be integrated into the PLA Navy. China has significantly enhanced its defence investment and budgetary allotment for research in AI. The integration of AI technology in naval platforms would boost the PLA Navy’s capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region.
India is also making efforts in AI for Naval platforms. India, being a major country in the Indo-Pacific region, has to dominate and control the seas for the security of sea lanes of communications and international shipping lanes. The AI technologies such as unmanned patrol vessels, unmanned helicopters, drones, UAVs can be used for surveillance and reconnaissance. The unmanned submarines or unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs), equipped with ammunitions and short-range torpedoes would be a major deterrence to the adversaries. It would be able to provide the upper hand for sea control to the Indian Navy.
In the same way, the integration of AI would enhance Airforce’s capability to acquire the target, and to avoid the enemy’s air defence radars, etc. The AI technology also suggests the use of weapons to fighter pilots. In an adverse situation or dog fight, it provides an upper hand to the pilot. The US is effectively using AI for the maintenance of fighter aircraft. For example- F-35’s Automatic Logistics Information System (ALIS) uses real-time data from the aircraft’s engine and other onboard systems to predict the next maintenance date and the issues that need to be addressed (Malhotra, 2021)
Air Defence and Nuclear Command and Control System
The US started computerization in ballistic missile defence in 1983. They have integrated AI in Tomahawk anti-ship missile (TASM), High-Speed anti-radiation missile (HARM), Joint unmanned combat air systems etc. (Morgan, 2020) India also has a ballistic missile defence program. Several missile defence systems and missiles are integrated into the services. India can enhance their capabilities by inducting AI applications into the missile system or in command-and-control platforms to make accurate decisions based on processed information.
The army moves on its belly
Logistic management is the backbone of force structure. The AI can be utilized for logistic maintenance in forces for the supply chain management. Drones and unmanned helicopters can be utilized to supply regular accessories like food, clothes, medicines, ammunition to the forward posts in the border region. In India’s context, it can be used to supply high altitude terrain in the Siachen glaciers.
India’s force structure is in a transition phase. It has decided to establish five theatre commands; Northern command, Western command, Peninsular command, Maritime command, and full-fledged unified Air defence command. (Gupta, 2020) The logistic management should be mobile enough to fulfil the requirement of all three wings of armed forces under one single command. Thus, in such scenarios, the use of AI would enhance synergy in logistic management.
The AI can be used in information warfare, algorithmic warfare. These are emerging tactics of modern-day warfare. As per the Rand corporation’s report ‘AI in Military application’, Russia is using AI in ‘Grey zone warfare’. (Morgan, 2020) Grey zone warfare is a mixture of psychological operations, media warfare, information warfare etc. The intensity of grey zone warfare is so effective that it can internally dis-stabilize adversaries. It is majorly used in urban warfare. Pakistan is frequently using grey zone warfare tactics against India with regards to Jammu and Kashmir. Thus, Indian strategists will have to think about looking into social media, information and mass-media affairs from a military and security perspective.
Conclusion
As per Kautilya’s Arthashastra, the Country faces security challenges from four kinds of enemies.
External enemy, External abetment.
External enemy, Internal abetment.
Internal enemy, Internal abetment.
Internal enemy, External abetment
India is dealing with all four types of threats put forward by Kautilya. In such a complex security scenario, the integration of AI applications in the military or in the comprehensive security structure would enhance the capabilities of forces to effectively deal with adverse situations. Being a developing nation, it also has economic constraints in its policies. Due to the budget constraint of developing countries, they cannot allocate resources as per the requirement of forces. Their security relies upon manpower. However, AI can do the work of multiple men at a quick pace. Thus, there is a need to invest in the research and development of AI platforms. AI platforms would be comparatively cheaper than manpower and expenses. It provides an opportunity to formulate a defence budget at a minimum expense. It is a one-time research and development process and then the maintenance of that platform. The country can export the same technology to other nations and enhance its defence export. It also enhances operational success rate, reduces operational casualties, saves human lives, and enhances the security as well as deterrence capabilities of the country. AI will bring synergy within all forces to deal with adverse situations.
China’s AI program is considered ahead of India. China has made significant growth in dual-use technology. It is also enhancing its technical cooperation for AI with Russia. The trio (China-Russia-Pakistan) of the Sino-Russian relationship, the Sino-Pakistan relationship and the Russia-Pakistan relationship have been increased in the current geopolitical environment. India will have to assess these relationships to formulate an AI strategy.
While implementing AI platforms in the military, the country simultaneously must have to focus on cyber security. It is a crucial aspect of national security. Thus, the R&D in AI and cyber security must go hand in hand.
References
Global times (June 6, 2018) Unmanned ‘shark swarms’ to be used in sea battles, Global Times, Retrieved from- http://en.people.cn/n3/2018/0606/c90000-9467892.html.
Gupta, S (Oct 27, 2020) India to get 5 military theatre commands, one each for China and Pakistan, Hindustan Times, Retrieved from- https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-to-get-5-military-theatre-commands-one-each-for-china-and-pak/story-UzFJNollsvpj3tcUetWVNM.html.
Malhotra, R (February 2021) Artificial Intelligence and the future of power, New Delhi, India, Rupa.
Morgan, F (March 2020) Military applications of Artificial Intelligence, Santa Monica, US, Rand Corporation.
Tewari, S (June 2019) Disruptive Technologies, Pune, India, Madhavi.
