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Should India increase investment in AI-powered drone swarms for defense readiness?

India’s defense sector is rapidly evolving, and drone swarms—powered by artificial intelligence—are emerging as a critical game-changer. These smart drones can coordinate attacks, scout enemy territory, and even neutralize threats with precision, all with minimal human input. Operation Sindoor has already shown the potential of such technologies. While countries like the US and China are pouring billions into autonomous drone systems, India must decide whether to keep pace or stay cautious.

Investing in AI-powered swarms can make India’s borders more secure, but it also raises concerns about control, ethics, and accidental escalations. With a strong push for Atmanirbhar Bharat in defense, this is a defining moment. Should India aggressively fund this frontier tech or tread carefully?

Manish Sharma
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