'Tremendous Power, Tremendous Risk': Lt Gen DS Rana Flags Offensive Edge Of AI In Modern Warfare

Last Updated:February 17, 2026, 22:51 IST

The Chief of the Strategic Forces Command highlighted how AI has become an indispensable tool in combating mass misinformation and psychological warfare

Addressing the India AI Impact Summit 2026, Lt Gen DS Rana, Commander-in-Chief of the Strategic Forces Command, provided a profound analysis of how artificial intelligence is fundamentally altering the global security architecture. Drawing parallels between the current technological shift and the nuclear age, Gen Rana observed that AI has reached a civilisational inflection point where it functions as a potent force multiplier. He cautioned that the “tremendous power" of AI could potentially be utilised for “AI brinkmanship" or blackmail, similar to historical patterns seen in the nuclear domain, particularly by technologically superior nations against weaker adversaries.

A central theme of the General’s address was the offensive nature of AI in the digital realm. He referenced recent autonomous cyberattacks, such as the major breach reported in September 2025 by Chinese state actors against US systems, as evidence of how AI-driven tools can now autonomously identify and exploit vulnerabilities. However, he balanced this by noting that the same technology is being effectively deployed to plug security gaps and enhance defensive resilience. In the context of “Operation Sindhu," Gen Rana highlighted how AI has become an indispensable tool in combating mass misinformation and psychological warfare, which have become standard components of modern conflict.

Beyond cyber warfare, the General detailed the integration of AI into conventional military operations. He noted that the Indian military is transitioning AI usage from basic logistics and predictive maintenance into sophisticated command and control systems. This includes enhancing maritime domain awareness and executing high-precision electronic warfare and jamming at tactical levels. He specifically pointed to the Russia-Ukraine conflict as a lesson in the efficacy of “low-cost, cheap, and easily scalable" AI-based battlefield systems, which are being deployed rapidly without waiting for traditional top-down development cycles.

Gen Rana concluded by advocating for a formalised “AI Security Doctrine" for India to ensure that resources are utilised strategically. He emphasised the necessity of “civil-military fusion" to enhance national capabilities and boost indigenous talent. Reaffirming India’s stance as a global leader in ethical technology, he asserted that as India emerges as an AI superpower, it will maintain its tradition as a “responsible AI power", much like its established status as a responsible nuclear power. This includes ensuring that high-level leadership is assisted by AI to understand the second and third-order effects of their decisions rather than viewing tactical actions in isolation.

News tech 'Tremendous Power, Tremendous Risk': Lt Gen DS Rana Flags Offensive Edge Of AI In Modern Warfare

Read More