NewKerala.com

India Must Prioritize AI in Defence: Rafales Useless Without Software

Lt Gen Raj Shukla argues that India's defence must shift focus from hardware to software and artificial intelligence to remain effective in modern warfare. He stresses that advanced fighter jets and missiles are ineffective without the AI software to leverage them, calling for defence-specific large language models. The General warns that the ongoing conflict in Iran could trigger a historic oil shock, causing inflation at "geometric rates" globally and domestically. He also comments on the potential political absorption of such economic shocks in the context of the US presidential election.

Key Points: AI Key to Modern Warfare, Says Lt Gen Raj Shukla

  • Age of algorithmic warfare has arrived
  • Defence needs exclusive AI models & LLMs
  • Civilian AI experts must handle military data
  • Global oil shock may cause geometric inflation
  • Hardware is secondary without advanced software
3 min read

"Rafales, missiles are useless unless you have software that leverages their delivery; we must invest in AI": Lt Gen Raj Shukla

Lt Gen Raj Shukla warns hardware like Rafale jets is useless without AI software, urging India to invest in defence-specific LLMs and expert data engineers.

"Rafales and missiles are useless unless you have software that leverages their delivery. - Lt Gen Raj Shukla"

New Delhi, March 17

Lt Gen Raj Shukla, former General Officer Commanding of the Army Training Command and a noted military strategist, on Tuesday said India's defence industry must prioritise artificial intelligence and software-driven combat capabilities amid rising global defence budgets.

Speaking exclusively with ANI on the changing nature of modern warfare, Lt Gen Shukla emphasised that while hardware like missiles and fighter jets remain important, the future lies in software-driven combat capabilities.

"If we have to prioritise, there is hardware and software. In my view, today the age of algorithmic warfare has arrived, which means that while hardware is important, it is useless. Rafales and missiles are useless unless you have software that leverages their delivery. So we must invest in AI," he said.

Lt Gen Shukla further highlighted the need for defence-specific artificial intelligence models. "The 12 models Mr Vaishnaw has created, three or four should go to the military because our data cannot be shared in the civil stream. We need exclusive LLMs. On those LLMs, put 50 solid data engineers. An additional secretary doing AI or a major general doing AI is pointless; he doesn't understand AI. Someone with real AI expertise has to come in and be told: this is our data, these are our combat plans, now leverage them," he added.

Asked about the potential impact of the ongoing conflict in Iran on the global economy, Lt Gen Raj Shukla warned that inflation is set to hit people not in arithmetic but at geometric rates.

Recalling past crises, he said, "Inflation is now going to hit people, not in arithmetic but in geometric rates. I remember the 1973 oil shock; it was huge. People are now saying that this is the worst oil economic shock in history... worse than the Biden administration's 9 per cent inflation, which impacted his presidency, worse than the 1973 oil shock. So all these things have yet to happen."

Lt Gen Shukla also highlighted domestic implications, noting, "LPG shortages are happening in our country too... crude has settled at $103, and people are saying if the crisis is not resolved in the week, it will touch $150. So if this was design, chaos, disruption... they have succeeded. But I'm saying, is it good enough to smash the Trump presidency? I don't think so... because shocks will be absorbed by Trump, as he is good at his base and those narrative business. He is confident that it will not affect elections."

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As someone working in tech, I completely agree. An "additional secretary doing AI" is a recipe for wasted money. We need to hire real talent from IITs and the private sector, give them the data, and let them build. The bureaucracy will be the biggest hurdle here.
V
Vikram M
True, but let's not forget the hardware either. We need both. A Rafale with smart AI is a force multiplier. Hope the government listens and allocates budget for this. The part about inflation is scary though. Petrol prices are already pinching.
P
Priya S
Respectfully, while the General's point about AI is valid, his comments on US politics seem out of place. Our focus should be on securing our own borders and economy. Global shocks affect the common man most - look at LPG cylinder prices!
R
Rohit P
"Algorithmic warfare" – that's the key term. Look at what's happening globally. Wars are fought with keyboards and satellites now, not just on the ground. We have brilliant young coders. Time to put them to work for national security.
M
Michael C
Interesting perspective. The need for exclusive military LLMs makes perfect sense. You can't train defence models on public data. This requires a dedicated, secure skunkworks project, insulated from regular government slow-moving processes.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50