Humanoid robots armed with lethal weapons or unmanned tanks and submarines may have seemed like a realm of pure science fiction, just a few years ago.
But now with advances in artificial intelligence (AI), arms control is a challenging but very promising application. India is prioritising AI as a key component of its national security strategy given US & China’s significant advancements in AI-based research.
India is well promoting its AI-based innovation and building infrastructure that is AI-ready in order to secure its strategic and national security interests. The country’s defence establishment is now working towards harnessing the expertise of the information technology industry and are advancing also in the field of small arms that have always been limited to mechanical or technical improvements.
There haven’t been any game-changing improvements in technology of small arms in the last few years.
But taking a cue from countries like the US and China that are focusing on AI and MI (machine learning) to develop lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS), Adani Defence and Aerospace, along with its partner Israel Weapon Industries (IWI), have unveiled India’s first AI based firing system ‘ARBEL”, the next-generation small arms solution at the DefExpo 2022 being held at Gandhinagar.
Soldier lethality and survivability are increased by ARBEL, a weapon-embedded Intelligent Fire Control System (IFCS) based on motion sensors.
It contains a rechargeable (field-level changeable) battery, control unit, motion and trigger sensors, and microprocessor. The system doesn’t need a particular optical component to work and can be mounted on and combined with a variety of assault rifles and machine guns, including the TAVOR, ACE, and NAGEV.
The user can choose the upper receiver and optic combination that best suits the mission at hand. It offers a range of capabilities, including rapid, accurate, and lethal fire, increased hit probability and lethality in stressful combat situations and from less-than-ideal shooting positions, quick strikes on the enemy, proven effectiveness in all terrains of conflict, and environmental adaptability.
AI-driven warfare is becoming more prevalent throughout the world. Due to the potential for AI to fundamentally alter the nature of the current state of international security, India is also undertaking the necessary preparations for its military forces.
Additionally, Ashish Rajvanshi, CEO of Adani Defence & Aerospace, said that ARBEL is the next-generation small weapons solution for enhancing the dismounted operator’s lethality and survivability by correctly engaging targets in a condensed window of opportunity while under stress and exhaustion. Simply put, the AI system reads and records the target, position, and recoil of the weapon as the user fires the first round. When the subsequent rounds are fired at the same target, this information is then utilised. The method gives the user total flexibility in addition to being prepared for fight. In other words, the user has the option to deactivate it during a battle. The weapon will also function correctly even if the ARBEL battery runs out.
It doesn’t require much training, and the weapon doesn’t need to be reconfigured. With zero adaption time, it aids in the creation of fully customised weapon profiles. Considering the evolving dynamics and today’s modern warfare, it is necessary to ensure that our soldiers possess such leading technologies to safeguard the nation. Through this platform, Adani Defence & Aerospace continues to demonstrate its dedication to developing cutting-edge technology that will assist defend the country and safeguard our troops.
