In Operation Sindoor, India Used AI in Modern Warfare and Achieved 94% Accuracy

In a remarkable demonstration of technological advancement, the Indian Armed Forces achieved an exceptional 94% accuracy rate during Operation Sindoor, marking a new chapter in India’s defense modernization journey. According to Lt General Rajiv Kumar Sahni, who served as the Director General of Information Systems during the operation, the success was driven by the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and decades of historical combat data, which enabled precise strikes on Pakistani military positions and terror infrastructure.

AI Turns Historical Data Into Real-Time Battlefield Intelligence

Lt Gen Sahni explained that the Indian forces leveraged data collected over 26 years from a wide range of sources—satellites, drones, radar sensors, electronic intercepts, and weapon telemetry—to create a detailed digital map of enemy activity. This vast dataset was then refined using AI-based analytics, allowing commanders to identify hidden supply routes, camouflaged bunkers, and communication hubs used by enemy forces and terror groups across the border.

A crucial element in this process was the home-grown Electronic Intelligence Collation (EIC) system, originally developed for multi-agency intelligence sharing. During Operation Sindoor, the system was modified in record time to serve the operational needs of the Army, Air Force, and intelligence agencies simultaneously. This enabled a seamless flow of information, helping to locate adversary sensors and radar arrays with pinpoint accuracy.

Meteorological AI for Precision Targeting

The operation also utilized AI-enabled Meteorological Reporting Systems, which analyzed real-time atmospheric data to improve long-range targeting accuracy. These systems factored in variables like wind speed, humidity, and temperature to calculate ballistic trajectories for artillery, drones, and missile strikes. As a result, long-range vectors were able to hit high-value enemy assets with unprecedented precision—even in challenging weather conditions.

India’s Growing AI Footprint in Military Operations

Operation Sindoor reflects India’s broader shift toward AI-driven warfare, aligning with the global transformation in defense strategies. The Defence Artificial Intelligence Council (DAIC) and Defence AI Project Agency (DAIPA), established by the Ministry of Defence, have accelerated indigenous research in AI-based surveillance, threat detection, and autonomous systems.

Indian defense agencies have been integrating AI tools across multiple domains:

• AI in surveillance: Used extensively during counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir to track infiltration routes using drone-fed image analytics.

• AI in cyber defense: Machine learning algorithms deployed by the Defence Cyber Agency help identify and neutralize cyber threats in real time.

• AI in logistics: Predictive analytics now assist the Army’s supply chain in anticipating demand and preventing critical shortages during high-tempo operations.

Global Parallels: AI Success in Modern Conflicts

India’s AI success in Operation Sindoor echoes a growing global trend. For instance, Ukraine’s use of AI-powered targeting systems and satellite data integration during its conflict with Russia has enabled its forces to identify artillery positions and execute precision strikes far more efficiently. Similarly, Israel’s 2021 Gaza operations employed AI-based systems like “The Gospel” to rapidly analyze surveillance feeds and generate real-time targeting lists, reducing collateral damage and response time.

These international examples reinforce the importance of data-centric warfare, where success increasingly depends on who can process and act upon information fastest—a philosophy now central to India’s military doctrine.

A Future Defined by Smart Warfare

Operation Sindoor stands as a powerful testament to how Artificial Intelligence has become the backbone of India’s modern warfare strategy. The synergy between human experience and machine intelligence not only enhanced precision but also drastically reduced the risk to soldiers on the ground.

With ongoing projects in autonomous combat drones, AI-based battlefield simulations, and predictive threat modeling, India is rapidly positioning itself among the world’s leading defense powers embracing AI-enabled decision-making.

As Lt Gen Sahni emphasized, the goal is clear: “To ensure that every bullet, every missile, and every decision in the battlefield is guided by data, not guesswork.”

In many ways, Operation Sindoor is not just a success story—it’s a signal that India’s armed forces are entering an era where technology and tactical brilliance converge, redefining the art of war in the 21st century.