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Ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict has further highlighted the dangers of aircraft misidentification, underscoring the need for such a system
NEW DELHI: The Indian Army has taken a major step forward in military technology with the creation of the NABH AI (Next Generation Aircraft Recognition for Bharat by Harnessing AI) system. Designed to solve the critical problem of aircraft misidentification, NABH AI aims to transform air defence operations by reducing the risk of fratricide and improving the safety and effectiveness of military missions.
Developed by Colonel Prashant Thakur of the Army Air Defence, the NABH AI system works by capturing images of aerial targets and feeding them into an advanced AI program for quick analysis. The system identifies the type of aircraft and determines whether it is friendly or an enemy in just 6-8 seconds. Currently, the system has an accuracy rate of 80%, which is expected to rise to 90% as advanced AI tools are applied.
Radar is the main tool for air defence gunners, but it often labels 70-80% of aerial targets as “Unknown” due to insufficient data. The situation is worsened by the increasing numbers and types of drones. NABH AI solves this problem by using a large database of images, which includes the Aircraft Recognition (ACR) package, open-source data, and images from the Air Force and other services. This system provides real-time identification, helping avoid tragic incidents of misidentification, such as the friendly fire that led to the downing of the Mi-17V5 helicopter by the Indian Air Force in 2019.
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The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict has further highlighted the dangers of aircraft misidentification, underscoring the need for such a system. NABH AI addresses these challenges by significantly reducing the risk of friendly fire in military operations.
The NABH AI system is primarily intended for the Army Air Defence (AAD) and is set to integrate with various anti-aircraft gun systems, including the Zi-23mm, Zu-23mm, and upgraded L-70-gun systems. This system will enhance aircraft recognition capabilities and improve operational effectiveness across all branches of the Indian Armed Forces, particularly in countering the rising threat of drones. Colonel Thakur emphasized the growing need for advanced identification systems, noting the 188 drone strikes in Ukraine as a reminder of the importance of UAV recognition in modern warfare.
Currently, the NABH AI database includes more than 1,400 images of 10 different helicopter models, offering a comprehensive solution for identifying both fixed-wing and rotary aircraft. Plans include developing a chip model for integration with existing air defence systems.
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Colonel Thakur’s work has been widely recognized. Recently, NABH AI was named one of the top 10 innovations at the Inno-Yoddha 2024-25 event, where Colonel Thakur was also awarded Rs. 25,000 by Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi. With over 18 years of service in the Army and a Sena Medal for gallantry, Colonel Thakur’s commitment to enhancing air defence operations is evident in his year-long effort to develop NABH AI.
Looking ahead, Colonel Thakur plans to expand the project to integrate the system with more advanced platforms, continuing to strengthen India’s indigenous defence capabilities.
