Israel’s AI-driven military actions represent a modern extension of warfare—through AI-based espionage, the decoupling from physical battlefields, and AI-driven propaganda. This signals the rise of ‘AI statecraft,’ where technological advancements are weaponised as tools of coercion, intensifying global fragmentation.
Imagine a sniper rifle that loads itself, aims itself, and pulls the trigger without a human ever touching it. Now, expand that idea to an entire military operation. This is no longer science fiction. It’s the chilling reality of modern warfare, where the human role is no longer to decide, but to monitor.
This dehumanisation of warfare creates power imbalances, where technological leaps become tools of coercion, intensifying global fragmentation. It raises an ethical dilemma — a modern-day Kurukshetra — where the duty of protecting human dharma is entrusted not to human conscience, but to artificial intelligence. The world witnessed a glimpse of such warfare during Operation Guardian of the Walls (2021), when Israel reportedly used artificial intelligence in its military operations against Palestine.
ISRAEL AI-DIGITAL-MILITARY COMPLEX
Eisenhower’s warning about the “military-industrial complex” now appears even more relevant with the integration of AI and digital technologies such as Gospel and Alchemist, which assist in battlefield decision-making by preparing draft target lists.
One such system, Lavender (an AI-assisted database), reportedly generated over 37,000 potential targets with an estimated 10% error rate, though this figure has not been officially confirmed by the Israeli government. Israel is also collaborating with U.S.-based tech giants to advance military AI further, making strikes both more lethal and easier to execute. One such US-based tech giant, Palantir Technologies, plays a foundational role in Israel’s military AI ecosystem by developing new strategic partnerships, providing vast amounts of data for analysis, and adding precision to warfare.
ISRAEL AI WARFARE CHANGING THE GLOBAL POWER POLITICS
Like Kautilya’s Gudayuddha, which emphasises silent ways of waging war through subversion and espionage, Israel’s AI-driven military actions can be seen as a modern extension — using AI-based espionage, decoupling from physicality, and deploying AI-driven propaganda. This marks the rise of AI statecraft, akin to Kautilya’s statecraft, extending deep into the arena of global relations.
The recent US-led AUKUS security pact, NATO’s AI strategy, and China–Russia technology sharing for AI integration into the military highlight the race for alliance formations. This is evolving into an AI Cold War, with West-led techno alliances versus a China-led AI race. It influences international relations through techno-dependency, where nations with advanced AI dominate over dependent ones. This exposes supply chain vulnerabilities and fuels techno-mercantilism, where states use tech dominance for political leverage.
However, the challenge is not confined to inter-state rivalries alone, as new fronts in global politics reveal how traditional powers are being outpaced by evolving threats from terror groups, criminal organisations, and individual actors.
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The spread of AI into defence systems has already spurred such actors to incorporate it into their offensive arsenals. Recent reports indicate that Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis are advancing AI-assisted drone technologies to create new forms of resistance. Beyond the battlefield, AI has also entered the psychological domain through AI-generated content and algorithm-driven propaganda.
ISRAEL AI WARFARE IMPACTS ON INDIA
For India, the lessons from Israel’s AI warfare are critical. While India has established the Defence Artificial Intelligence Council (DAIC), it must revisit its security stance by incorporating realist perspectives and accelerating the adoption of AI-driven military technologies such as electronic warfare systems, AI-assisted drones like Kaala Bhairav, and loitering munitions like Sky Striker. Also, the rise of domestic defence startups such as Alpha design technologies (AI-linked Kamikaze drones) and Defence India master private (AI-assisted combat vehicles) underscores the need to both mitigate threats of AI misuse and promote private sector participation.
The Ministry of Defence has already deployed the AI-enabled Akash Teer missile system during Operation SINDOOR. Yet, regional risks remain acute as China’s reverse engineering of Israeli military AI into systems like the CASC Rainbow UAV and J-11 fighter jets could shift tactical balances. Positioned between a vulnerable neighbourhood and an uncertain global order, India now faces a rising security dilemma.
Israel’s AI-driven military warfare highlights potential threats from non-affiliated operators, where multinational companies shape a “Broligarchy of elites”—a few dominant groups steering AI actions, policies, strategies, and the emerging global order. Recognising these risks, the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 79/239, calling for a global dialogue on military AI to ensure peaceful coexistence.
For India, the challenge and opportunity lie in navigating these future conflicts by leveraging its leadership role in global AI deliberations in 2026. The larger question remains: while AI warfare may reshape global order, its durability will ultimately depend on the moral clarity and collective responsibility of nations.
(Sudarsan S is an intern with TheRise)
(Mentored and Edited by Sneha Yadav)
About the author
Sudarsan S has completed Graduation in Defence and Strategic Studies and holds Diploma in International Relations in Changing World. He is UPSC aspirant and currently pursuing internship under TRIP.
Sneha Yadav is an electronics engineer with post graduation in political science by qualification. Sneha has wide-ranging interests in the contemporary social, economic, administrative and political issues of India.
