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Advancing AI and Indic Language LLMs in Defence
Context:
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has designated 2025 as the ‘Year of Reforms,’ pledging a strong focus on emerging technologies, particularly robotics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI).
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- This theme builds upon the 2024 initiative, the ‘Year of Technology Absorption, Empowering the Soldier,’ expanding beyond battlefield applications to enhance military efficiency in various non-combat areas.
- These include internal administration, logistics, training, wargaming, disaster response, procurement, and military ethics.
- While AI integration in non-battlefield roles has already begun, India must also strive to cultivate and advance national AI capabilities.
AI Virtual Assistants in Defence
- Since the establishment of the Defence Artificial Intelligence Projects Agency (DAIPA) in 2018, the MoD and the Indian Armed Forces have developed a suite of AI-driven tools, including chatbots, audiobots, and videobots, to support soldiers beyond the battlefield. Notable examples include:
- SAMADHAN: An AI chatbot launched by the Indian Army Southern Command in April 2024, assists commissioned officers with public procurement and policy-related queries.
- SAMBANDH: Another AI chatbot designed to aid war veterans and war widows by addressing their grievances and disseminating relevant information.
- These AI solutions parallel global developments, such as ‘SergeantAI’ by the US-based World Wide Technology Inc., China’s ‘Virtual AI Commander’ for military simulations, and ‘ChatBIT’ by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Academy of Military Sciences, which supports military intelligence operations.
Defence Large Language Models (LLMs)
- Following the success of AI virtual assistants, the next step in AI adoption is the development of bespoke defence large language models (LLMs).
- The US AI firm Scale AI launched Defense Llama in November 2024, an LLM based on Meta’s Llama 3, tailored for US national security missions.
- Similarly, China is advancing its DeepSeek V3 and other Sinic language LLMs to develop indigenous military applications.
- India stands at a strategic advantage to develop Indic-language defence LLMs, leveraging its vast repositories of multilingual data.
- Given the growing success of Indian AI companies, such as Sarvam 2B, which has outperformed American foundational models in Indic-language processing, the potential for indigenous LLMs is significant.
Building an Indic-Language Defence LLM
- Developing a closed-source Indic-language defence LLM will require the MoD’s extensive data archives, including those generated by junior-commissioned and non-commissioned officers, Territorial Army personnel, Agniveers, and National Cadet Corps members.
- These records, predominantly in Hindi and other official languages, align with the Official Language Act of 1963 and serve as a valuable resource for training LLMs.
- To further enrich the dataset, English-language repositories can be translated using AI tools like Project Udaan, an IIT Bombay initiative that translates STEM academic textbooks into Hindi and other Indic languages.
- A well-trained Indic-language LLM will not only serve defence applications but also promote the broader adoption of Indic languages in various sectors.
A Collaborative Ecosystem for AI Advancement
- The Indian Army’s Army Knowledge & Enablers Corps, established in 2025, is actively recruiting specialists in emerging technologies, including AI.
- This initiative presents an opportunity to create a collaborative ecosystem involving DAIPA, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), private AI firms, and government research laboratories.
- Ensuring that Indian soldiers are equipped to operate sophisticated AI systems in their native languages will enhance their effectiveness in modern warfare.
- Moreover, the Indic-language defence LLM could support initiatives like Project Udbhav, which integrates ancient Indian wisdom on warfare and statecraft into contemporary military strategies.
- By incorporating Sanskrit and other classical texts into training programs, the Indian Army can reinforce its commitment to both technological advancement and cultural heritage.
The MoD’s focus on AI and Indic-language LLMs marks a transformative step in modernising India’s defence infrastructure. By leveraging its vast linguistic diversity and technological expertise, India can build a robust AI ecosystem tailored to its unique needs. This initiative not only strengthens national security but also fosters the development of indigenous AI capabilities, positioning India as a leader in multilingual AI innovation.
