Indian Army Pursues AI-Driven Autonomy for Electric Unmanned Ground Vehicles Fleet

Indian Army Embarks on AI-Driven Autonomy for Electric UGVs

In a significant move towards enhancing the capabilities of its unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), the Indian Army has initiated a procurement process for an Artificial Intelligence (AI) kit to automate electric UGVs. This development is expected to propel the Army towards greater autonomy in its operations, allowing for more efficient and safer deployment of troops in various scenarios.

The Ministry of Defence's Department of Military Affairs has issued a tender, GEM/2026/B/7851798, for the procurement of an "AI-in-a-Box" solution. This tender was published in September 2026, and the bids closed on September 25. Although the estimated contract value of the requirement remains undisclosed, the tender is specifically titled "AI-in-a-Box Solution for Automation of Electric Unmanned Ground Vehicles."

The procurement process is expected to result in the acquisition of a single AI-in-a-Box solution, which will be used to automate electric UGVs. The tender lists several essential documentation requirements, including experience, past performance, bidder turnover, OEM authorization, and technical compliance. However, the detailed technical specifications for the requirement are not publicly available, leaving the exact sensors, computing hardware, navigation architecture, and autonomy functions requested by the Army unknown.

This development assumes greater significance when viewed in the context of an earlier Army procurement for a UGV mine-laying assembly. In April 2024, the Army issued a tender, GEM/2024/B/4871685, for the development of a mine-laying assembly for a UGV. The technical requirement for this provision described a tracked, hybrid-electric UGV with a payload capacity of approximately 1,200 kg and a maximum speed of 20 km/h.

The proposed vehicle was designed to include an engine-driven trencher, automated mine stacking and laying, recording of mines placed, and soil-levelling functions. The specified operating cycle called for laying approximately one mine every three minutes, across an operating temperature range of -20°C to +55°C. The development of such a UGV could potentially reduce the need to deploy soldiers in areas where defensive minefields need to be established.

The integration of an AI-based autonomy architecture to electric UGVs could enable the concept to be applied to various missions, including logistics, reconnaissance, surveillance, route clearance, and others. This could potentially allow the Army to field a family of unmanned platforms sharing common navigation, perception, and mission-management technologies.

The mine-laying programme will focus on developing a specialized unmanned ground platform and mission equipment, while the newer AI-in-a-Box requirement points towards a potentially reusable autonomy architecture for electric UGVs. If such autonomy systems can be applied to different classes of vehicles, the Army could eventually field a family of unmanned platforms sharing common navigation, perception, and mission-management technologies.

Key Takeaways

• The Indian Army has initiated a procurement process for an AI kit to automate electric UGVs, aiming to enhance the capabilities of its unmanned ground vehicles.
• The tender, GEM/2026/B/7851798, seeks the procurement of a single AI-in-a-Box solution, with the bids closing on September 25.
• The development of an AI-based autonomy architecture for electric UGVs could enable the concept to be applied to various missions, including logistics, reconnaissance, and surveillance.
• The integration of AI-driven autonomy could potentially allow the Army to field a family of unmanned platforms sharing common navigation, perception, and mission-management technologies.
• The mine-laying programme will focus on developing a specialized unmanned ground platform and mission equipment, while the newer AI-in-a-Box requirement points towards a potentially reusable autonomy architecture for electric UGVs.