Indian Air Force Deploys In-House AI Suite on Secure Network

By Amara Osei

The Indian Air Force has deployed a suite of in-house artificial intelligence applications on its secure network, automating tasks across operations, administration and aerospace safety. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched the tools on November 12 at the Air Force Commanders' Conference in New Delhi.

The applications came out of the IAF's AI Centre of Excellence, operating under the Unit for Digitisation, Automation, Artificial Intelligence and Application Networking — UDAAN. The deployment marks a concrete step in the service's push toward technology-driven transformation rather than another policy statement: working software, running on the IAF's own closed network.

What did the Defence Minister ask the IAF to do?

Singh framed the launch inside a broader demand: build the capacity to surprise an adversary and never be surprised. He told commanders that rapid technological change and modern warfare dynamics require both offensive and defensive readiness.

"Our Defence Forces must develop capabilities and methods that leave the adversary with no time to react or recover, while simultaneously ensuring that we are never caught off guard by an unexpected move from the enemy," Singh said. "Surprise can manifest in various forms, both conventional and electronic."

His instructions to the commanders were specific:

• Strengthen intelligence and surveillance mechanisms.
• Improve system integration across the services.
• Anticipate threats before they materialise.
• Prepare for surveillance and counter-drone operations, including vigilance against kamikaze drones.
• Draft dedicated doctrines and architectures for electronic, cyber and space domains.

The message: future conflict will not be decided by aircraft counts alone.

Why drones changed the briefing

Singh drew on two live conflicts — Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas — to argue that modern war has moved beyond traditional battlefields into missiles, drones and advanced weapons systems. In both theatres, drones and air defence systems have played a central role.

"Victory in future conflicts would depend not merely on the number of aircraft, but also on technological sophistication, speed of response and precision of preparations," Singh said.

He urged commanders to fold these emerging challenges into institutional planning and day-to-day operations, not treat them as side issues.

How Operation Sindoor is reshaping procedure

Singh commended the IAF's execution of doctrines during and after Operation Sindoor, praising the professionalism, restraint and judgement of air personnel. Lessons from that operation are now shaping evolving procedures — with a sharpened focus on drones and air defence systems the Defence Minister called vital to national security.

He also highlighted the coordinated contribution of all three services during the operation and pressed for continued joint planning and operational execution.

The forces are in the middle of broader reforms covering organisational structures, jointness, integration and operational concepts, with Singh calling for continuous adaptation through a forward-looking approach.

People and policy moves alongside the software

Two personnel decisions accompanied the technology rollout. Singh urged continued training in emerging technologies and singled out young recruits, saying their technical knowledge could significantly strengthen decision-making and organisational growth.

On the Second Tour of Duty for Agniveers, Singh said the decision responded directly to feedback from the Defence Forces and affirmed the Government's commitment to including service input in policy. He expressed confidence the initiative would strengthen all three services.

Who is in the room

The inaugural session drew Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar and Secretary (Defence Finance) Vishvajit Sahay. Air Officers Commanding-in-Chief of all IAF Commands, Principal Staff Officers and Director Generals are participating in the two-day conference.

The theme this year is "The Year of Empowerment: Maximising Efficiency Through Decentralisation" — a forum for senior IAF leadership to discuss operations, maintenance and administration.

In plain terms: the IAF built its own AI tools, put them on its own network, and its political leadership tied the release to a doctrine of speed, drones and surprise.