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India-UK FTA Signed: How Will Modi’s UK Trip Reshape Trade?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarks on a strategically vital visit to the United Kingdom and the Maldives from July 23rd to 26th, 2025. This trip is poised to formally sign the long-awaited India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and significantly bolster India’s crucial ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy in the Indian Ocean Region.

Army’s AI Roadmap for Ops by 2026–27: A Human-Friendly Breakdown
The Indian Army isn’t just preparing for the future—it’s building it. By 2026–27, it plans to deploy AI, machine learning, and big data analytics across critical military operations. Here’s what’s in store:

Smarter Battlefield Awareness:
AI tools will process massive data streams in real time. Think of text summarizers that condense lengthy reports, AI chatbots for quick queries, and facial recognition systems to identify threats. Drones, satellites, and ground sensors will feed live data into unified dashboards, helping commanders make faster, smarter decisions.

Drone Swarms & Combat Tech:
Inspired by lessons from Operation Sindoor (the 2025 cross-border strike), the Army will use coordinated drone swarms for surveillance and strikes. AI will also enable:
Predictive maintenance for equipment.
GPS-free navigation in hostile zones.
Enhanced targeting accuracy.

War Rooms to Wargames:
AI-driven decision support systems will simulate combat scenarios, map enemy capabilities, and manage logistics. Virtual war games will train troops, while AI analyses social media and open-source intel (OSINT) to counter misinformation and terror links.

Collaborative Push:
An AI Task Force (under the Directorate General of Information Systems) will oversee this tech rollout. The Army is also:
Setting up a dedicated AI lab to test new models.
Embedding AI specs in all new defence equipment.
Partnering with academia and startups for R&D.

India-UK FTA Q&As for Exams:
Q1: How will AI enhance the Indian Army’s battlefield capabilities by 2026–27?
*A1: AI will enable real-time data fusion from drones, satellites, and sensors, allowing faster threat detection, drone swarming, and predictive analysis for mission success.*
Q2: What role did Operation Sindoor play in India’s AI military strategy?
*A2: The 2025 cross-border op highlighted gaps in real-time intel and drone coordination, prompting the Army to fast-track AI for swarming drones and smart war rooms.*
Q3: Name two AI tools the Army will use for battlefield awareness.
*A3: (i) LLM-based text summarizers for instant report analysis, (ii) AI chatbots for rapid information retrieval during ops.*
Q4: How does AI help in GPS-denied environments?
A4: AI algorithms use alternative data sources (terrain maps, sensor feeds) to enable accurate navigation and targeting without GPS signals.
Q5: What institutional steps is the Army taking for AI integration?
A5: Creating an AI Task Force, establishing an R&D lab under DGIS, and mandating AI features in new equipment procurement.