Col Kuldeep Yadav (L) and an artist’s concept of the AI-driven target-classification system.
New Delhi: The Indian Army has been granted a patent for its indigenous artificial intelligence system designed to automatically identify and classify radar targets. This marks a significant advancement in the country’s military technology capabilities.
The artificial intelligence-based automatic target-classifying system, developed (AIATCS) by Colonel Kuldeep Yadav, operates without human intervention to detect and categorize objects appearing on radar systems. The system autonomously identifies and classifies targets on radar without requiring human intervention, potentially transforming how military surveillance operations are conducted.
The AI-powered technology employs sophisticated sensors and algorithms to process real-time data from radar signals and compare detected objects against a comprehensive database. This approach delivers substantially faster and more accurate target identification compared to traditional manual methods, making it particularly valuable for time-sensitive military applications including missile guidance systems.
Army officials indicated the innovation would significantly enhance operational efficiency across the force’s technological infrastructure while advancing India’s defence self-reliance objectives under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Col Yadav has established himself as a key figure in military AI development. He previously secured a patent for an AI-driven accident-prevention system, with the patent application filed on February 2, 2021. This earlier patent, granted in July 2023, remains valid for 20 years and focuses on road safety applications within military operations.
The target-classification system represents the Indian Army’s growing emphasis on indigenous technological solutions. The development aligns with broader government initiatives to integrate artificial intelligence across defence sectors, reducing dependence on foreign military technology imports.
AI-powered target-classification systems typically utilize ML (machine learning) algorithms trained on extensive datasets of military objects, aircraft, vehicles and other potential targets. These systems can process visual and radar data simultaneously, identifying threats with greater speed and precision than human operators, particularly in complex battlefield environments.
The patent grant comes at a time when several nations are accelerating military AI development programmes. Countries including the United States, China, and Israel have made substantial investments in autonomous target-recognition systems, viewing such technologies as critical components of future warfare capabilities.
The Army’s achievement in securing this patent underscores the military’s growing technical expertise in artificial intelligence applications. The system’s development was conducted entirely through internal resources, demonstrating the organization’s expanding research and development capabilities in emerging technologies.
Military analysts suggest that indigenous AI systems like Col Yadav’s innovation could provide India with strategic advantages in border surveillance and air defence operations, particularly given the technology’s ability to operate continuously without human fatigue limitations.
The patent approval process typically requires extensive technical documentation and proof of innovation, indicating that the Indian Army’s system has met stringent intellectual property standards for novelty and practical application in defence contexts.
