Defence Ministry, AI Mission join hands to build secure military AI layer, says RK Singh

Defence Secretary RK SIngh | Photo Credit: cueapi

Defence Secretary RK Singh on Friday said that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) is working with the AI Mission to develop a dedicated military layer, offering secure domestic computing infrastructure for decision-making support, target acquisition and data fusion, leading to a sensor-to-shooter loop.

In a fireside chat at a KPMG event, Singh also said that the Ministry would piggyback on companies already working with the AI Mission to develop an AI layer for the military and sustain technological sovereignty in such critical capability domains.

“For the military layer for our services, we are working with the AI Mission to develop that. Compute for that has already been procured. We intend to piggyback on private industries already selected by the AI Mission to help develop the AI layer for our services,” he said, adding that the process was already underway.

The Defence Secretary clarified that nations must rely on indigenous capabilities in these critical areas. Self-reliance is essential, as foreign companies may withhold such technology or introduce vulnerabilities such as backdoors or kill switches. However, he did not rule out partnerships with friendly countries to develop these capabilities.

He also said, in response to another query, that the blueprint for the theatreisation of commands, which seeks to promote jointness among the three services, was ready and awaiting approval at the highest level to enable the integrated application of military power.

“The political leadership is very clear that we have to move towards integrated theatre commands. That process is underway. The blueprint has been prepared, and approval is awaited at the highest level. But we are clear that, having entered an era of multi-domain warfare spanning space, cyber, land, sea, and air, we will have to move towards integrated theatre commands to safeguard our interests,” Singh stressed.

His remarks come at a time when outgoing Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh continues to express reservations about the proposed structural changes to enable the three services to jointly discharge operational functions.

The Defence Secretary clarified that India must develop and own capabilities in certain critical areas, as foreign companies may not share such technology. Reliance on foreign suppliers also carries risks, including potential backdoors or kill switches in critical systems.

Citing a Bloomberg report, he noted that India had become the third-largest exporter of arms to Europe over the past year. Artillery shells, including 155-mm rounds, and other conventional ammunition supplied under the ReArm Europe initiative accounted for most of this growth.

According to him, Indian exports also include bulletproof jackets, helmets and small arms; avionics and components; armoured platforms, including infantry combat vehicles and armoured trucks; artillery gun systems; Dornier aircraft; and BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, for which buyers in Southeast Asia have signed contracts or are in negotiations.

On India-EU trade, the Defence Secretary said that New Delhi’s first security and defence partnership with the EU was signed alongside the conclusion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement.

Referring to his recent visits to Greece and Cyprus, he said these countries could provide a gateway for Indian companies to participate in ReArm Europe programmes, either directly or through joint ventures in Europe. Similarly, European companies could set up joint ventures in India to gain access to its defence market, he explained.

European firms entering India must meet the Make in India requirement of at least 50 per cent localisation, compared with around 25 per cent in Europe.

Published on October 23, 2026