Armed forces sign MoU with Sarvam to boost AI capabilities

 HQ Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Bengaluru-based firm Sarvam to collaborate on artificial intelligence (AI) applications, research, knowledge management, training and decision-support across the army, navy and air force.

IDS described the development as a significant step towards strengthening sovereign AI capabilities for India’s defence forces.

“The partnership will focus on building secure, sovereign and scalable AI capabilities, with strong emphasis on data sovereignty and ensuring responsible AI based solutions,” HQ IDS said in a post on X.

IDS was formed in 2001 to promote jointness and integration in the armed forces.

Latest technologies, including AI, are being leveraged for favourable outcomes in ongoing global conflicts. It already plays a major role in areas including decision support, targeting, and ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance).

Under the India AI Mission, announced in 2024 with an outlay of ₹10,372 crore for five years, the government is funding 12 organisations to build sovereign AI models. Of these, Sarvam, Gnani and BharatGen showcased their models at the India AI Summit in February 2026.

The government’s goal is to create homegrown, Indic-language focused models and reduce reliance on foreign platforms.

In April, cabinet secretary TV Somanathan addressed the army’s top brass and emphasised the need for sovereign artificial intelligence models and resilient supply chains to safeguard national interests, amid evolving geopolitical challenges triggered by ongoing global conflicts.