Akshat Upadhyay

Emerging Frontiers: Technology Absorption in the Indian Army

Publisher: Pentagon Press

In the 21st century, power on the battlefield is no longer defined by size or legacy, but by speed of adaptation. The world’s most advanced militaries are no longer just acquiring weapons; they are absorbing innovation at the pace of disruption. Emerging Frontiers confronts one of the most urgent challenges facing armed forces today: how to integrate technologies never built for war but rapidly redefining it. AI, drones, quantum computing and cyber systems now emerge from private labs and startups, not defence PSUs or primes. The race is no longer just for firepower - it is for technological fluency.

The book delivers:

A clear foundation in emerging and disruptive technologies.
Comparative insights from innovation ecosystems in the US, Israel, Ukraine and India.
Profound lessons from contemporary conflicts - Russia- Ukraine, Armenia-Azerbaijan and Israel-Hamas.
A blueprint for reforming India’s defence innovation culture.

But more than that, it delivers a powerful argument: India’s armed forces must not just adopt technology - they must lead it. Absorption is not a matter of buying more. It is about building the capacity to experiment, adapt, co-create and lead in an environment where yesterday’s solutions are obsolete tomorrow. The book is essential for those who believe that the future of national security will belong to nations that learn faster, adapt smarter and move first. It calls for organisational ambidexterity, cultural agility and a shift in mindset, where military personnel are not only end-users but also innovators, collaborators and strategic technologists.

ISBN: 978-81-984458-8-9,
Price: ₹ 995/-
E-copy available

Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Warfare: A New Warfighting Paradigm

Akshat Upadhyay |
January-February 2024 |
Strategic Analysis

Virtual and Augmented Reality and Warfare: Fighting War as a Computer Game?

Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Lt Col Akshat Upadhyay’s article ‘Virtual and Augmented Reality and Warfare - Fighting War as a Computer Game?’ has been published as part of ORF's special series on future warfare, on 12 February 2024.

VR and AR systems have proliferated globally and have important uses in the military and civil domains. However, there are certain challenges that need to be met with before these new technologies can be considered safe and utilisable for the Indian Armed Forces, says Lt Col Upadhyay.

Read Complete Article [+]

Integral Air Support to Land Operations: A Futuristic Perspective

Akshat Upadhyay |
October-December 2023 |
Journal of Defence Studies

First Person View (FPV) Drones: When Quantity Equals Quality

First Person View (FPV) drones, combined with artificial intelligence (AI), are the next evolution in warfare as they offer a cheaper and scalable alternative to precision weapons.

Akshat Upadhyay |
February 27, 2024 |
Issue Brief

Role of Semiconductors in India’s National Security

The Indian government has rightly given a clarion call for India to be a Chip Maker rather than a Chip Taker. The requirement of semiconductors in India's national security domain has become critical since they form the substrate of every important activity in the country - from the economic to the military domain.

AI As A Multi-Domain Enabler For The Army

Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Lt Col Akshat Upadhyay’s article ‘AI As A Multi-Domain Enabler For The Army’ has been published by Ananta Centre, on 21 November 2023.

The Indian Army has started exploring AI as an enabler in various domains. Publicly available information, however, is very limited in this case. As a result, the analysis here is based exclusively on four major sources: newspaper reports, official websites and resources, speeches by military authorities and selected peer-reviewed articles published in the Defence Science Journal issued by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), says Lt Col Upadhyay.

Read Complete Article [+]

Military Applications of Virtual Reality and Beyond

The military applications of Virtual Reality include those relating to combat training and simulation.

Akshat Upadhyay |
September 14, 2023 |
Issue Brief

S-70 Okhotnik UCAV Debuts on the Russia–Ukraine Battlefield

UCAVs can impose a major decision dilemma on the adversary and act as a part of a combined arms offensive in the air, in their role as ‘loyal wingman’ for manned fighter jets.

Akshat Upadhyay |
July 31, 2023 |
IDSA Comments

US Voluntary Code of Conduct on AI and Implications for Military Use

The suggestions being offered to rein in the advancements in AI need to move into the domain of regulation, to ensure that the unwarranted effects of these technologies do not spill over onto the modern battlefield.