Explainer: INS Surat's commissioning charts new course for Navy in AI-enabled warfare
INS Surat, the latest warship that was commissioned at Mumbai on January 15, marks a new course in maritime prowess as it is the Indian Navy’s first Artificial Intelligence-enabled surface combat platform.
The guided missile destroyer, fourth and last in the Vishakhapatnam Class, was formally inducted into the Western Fleet by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with guided missile frigate, INS Nilgiri, the lead ship of this class, and INS Vaghsheer, the sixth and last of the Scorpene Class diesel-electric submarine.
Like its sister services at home, as also other militaries across the globe, the Indian Navy, too, has a road map to integrate AI not only into its war fighting operations but also other spheres such as logistics, training, administration, maintenance and security.
Experts have defined AI as a network of computer systems and algorithm-based electronic machines that are able to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, thinking and analysis capability such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision making and translation between languages.
AI is being used increasingly for military applications and a huge amount of research and development effort is being directed the world over to produce advanced AI technologies that could take over many functions traditionally performed by humans.
Due to its intrinsic high-speed computing, voluminous data processing ability and split-second decision-making capabilities, AI increases combat systems’ self-control, self-regulation and self-actuation.
By taking over some human functions, AI reduces the probability of human error, speeds up decision making, enhances safety, cuts manpower requirements as well as human workload and lowers the exposure of human life to risk.
However, the use of AI also poses several challenges and pitfalls. AI systems may be prone to malfunction of technical glitches and analytical limitations of algorithms. Also, AI may not be able to take decisions that require an ethical or moral stand and may not incorporate overriding human control in decision making. The possibility of hacking and other forms of cyberattacks is also an issue.
The Indian Navy is focused on the incorporation of AI and machine learning (ML) in critical mission areas. INS Valsura, its shore-based training establishment at Jamnagar in Gujarat, has been designated as a centre of excellence in the field AI and big data.
It has a state-of-the-art laboratory on AI and big data analysis (BDA) and has been instrumental in progress of pilot projects pertaining to adoption of AI and BDA in the domain of maintenance, human resources and perception assessment. In addition, the Navy is deeply involved in unifying and reorganising its enterprise data as data is the fuel for all AI engines.
The Navy has formed an AI core group, which meets twice a year to assess all AI and ML initiatives, both at the tactical and strategic level. Periodic reviews of AI projects are being held so as to ensure adherence to the promulgated timelines. The Navy also conducts regular training in AI and ML across all levels of specialty for its officers and sailors at its own training schools as well as at the IITs.
While the details of INS Surat’s AI capabilities have not been disclosed, experts say that it would probably involve aspects such as surveillance and target recognition, target acquisition and fire control, navigation and course plotting, monitoring the performance of its engines and other onboard systems and preventive maintenance.
Designed by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and constructed by Mazagon Dock Limited, Mumbai, the ship, bearing Pennant No. D-69, was laid down in November 2019 and launched in May 2022. It was completed in June 2024.
The 163-m warship displacing 7,400 tonnes has an array of surveillance radars, sensors and a comprehensive electronics warfare suite, along with 16 BrahMos anti-ship cruise missiles, 32 Barak-8 surface-to-air missiles four 533 mm torpedo tubes, and two RBU-6000 anti-submarine rocket launchers.
Its weaponry also includes a Melara 76-mm naval gun on the bow, four AK-630M close-in weapon systems and two 12.7-mm M2 remote controlled guns. It can carry two helicopters such as the indigenous Dhruv or the US MH-60R.
The ship was built under the Navy’s Project 15-B, with the other ships of this Class being INS Visakhapatnam, INS Mormugao and INS Imphal. These four ships are upgraded and more advanced derivatives of the ships built under Project 15-A that include INS Kolkata, the lead ship, INS Kochi and INS Chennai. Ships of both these projects are similar in weight and size.
With the commissioning of the three boats today, the Navy now has a fleet of 15 attack submarines, besides two ballistic missile submarines, 13 destroyers and 14 frigates. Six more frigates of the 6,670-tonne Nilgiri Class are being constructed as part of Project 17-A. Besides the design, nearly 75 per cent content of Surat and Nilgiri is indigenous, with over 200 firms being associated with their construction.
The Indian fleet’s other major surface combatants include two aircraft carriers, 18 corvettes, 29 patrol vessels and 13 amphibious warfare ships besides numerous other ships for replenishment, training, support, research and other miscellaneous tasks. A number of ships of different types are also under construction.
