In our July–August 2022 issue, we carried an article by Maj Jai Upadhyaya of the 155 TA Battalion, highlighting in-house innovations by the Indian Army and their potential to usher in high-tech solutions for the digital battlefield. Almost three years later, we are proud to note that these initiatives have fructified, with Jai being formally recognised by the Indian Army for his contributions. More importantly, officers like him are now poised to introduce cutting-edge technologies that will give our soldiers a decisive edge in both traditional and unconventional operations.

The Indian Army’s Techno Warriors are officers and soldiers who are proficient in both traditional kinetic military skills and modern technology. These individuals are trained to effectively utilize emerging technologies and adapt to the changing military landscape, including AI, drones, and cyber warfare domains. Their evolving skillset reflects a growing emphasis on multidimensional preparedness, where excellence in tactical combat is amplified by digital fluency. Comparable to initiatives like the US Army Futures Command or DARPA-backed defence modernization efforts, this approach highlights a new age of warfare where human skill and machine intelligence operate in unison.

In the rapidly evolving battlefield of today and tomorrow, the Indian Army is driving to be future-ready—both in man and machine. This intent is evident through extensive equipment modernization programs, incorporation of niche technologies, and rapid updates to training curricula. The goal: to forge Techno Warriors who will form the backbone of India’s defence transformation, aligned with the “Atmanirbharta” (self-reliance) doctrine. The Year 2025 has been declared as the ‘Year of Reforms’ by the Ministry of Defence to accelerate this modernization journey. The training academies now emphasize simulation-based learning, cyber tactics, and collaborative warfare modules. Much like the US Army’s investment in Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) training and the modernization of its Combat Training Centers, the Indian Army is charting its own ambitious path to ensure future combat readiness.

The future warriors will no longer just be fighting the enemy with bullets but dueling across different spectrums of warfare—from cyber and space to grey zone warfare. The cruciality of this seismic paradigm shift has recently been highlighted by the creation and enhancement of various state-of-the-art, technology-driven establishments and organizations like the Army Design Bureau (ADB), Indian Army Artificial Intelligence Incubation Centre (IAAIIC) at Bengaluru, Territorial Army Innovation Cell in Delhi, and the AI Laboratory at the Military College of Telecommunications (MCT), Mhow. VAULT 36.0 – Vanguard of Advanced Unified Leading Technologies, located in Sagar, is another example of India’s ambition to blend operational needs with indigenous innovation. The Indian Army has also collaborated with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to infuse cutting-edge technology and establish the Signals Technology Evaluation and Adaptation Group (STEAG)—a dedicated unit for researching and evaluating futuristic communication technologies. These efforts reflect the growing global emphasis on integrating advanced technologies into defence, as seen in similar initiatives by countries such as the US Department of Defence. India’s commitment to these technological advancements positions it alongside global efforts to strengthen defence capabilities with cutting-edge innovation.

This focus on Techno Warriors is also evident from the various prestigious gallantry and distinguished service medals awarded in 2025 by the Indian Army. This includes Maj Jai Upadhyaya of the elite Parachute Regiment who was awarded the pre-eminent Sena Medal, a military decoration in the Indian Army, awarded to recognize exceptional devotion to duty or courage. The recognition of officers like him highlights the significance of blending technological expertise with combat experience, a concept that the Indian Army is increasingly prioritizing. These honors symbolize not only personal achievement but the institutional shift toward technologically empowered warfighting.

Maj Jai Upadhyaya was awarded the Sena Medal for his distinguished service as a Techno Warrior, leading technology adoption in niche domains like Artificial Intelligence, drone tech, man-unmanned teaming, and integrated multi-tech kinetic systems. He is a distinguished embodiment of the Techno Warriors spirit, seamlessly merging technical innovation with operational effectiveness. His work supports not only mission readiness but broader transformation goals, contributing to the Indian Army’s ability to build robust, multi-domain combat capabilities. His contributions underscore the Army’s proactive role in developing indigenous, mission-specific technologies.

The officer has over 14 years of research and development (R&D) expertise in the field of Artificial Intelligence and Drones, having pursued his Master’s in MIS (AI) and specialization in Unmanned Systems from the prestigious University of Texas, USA. Following his education, he led R&D teams across global defence innovation hubs, contributing to advanced robotics and AI projects for both defence and dual-use applications. His technical credentials are further strengthened by on-ground experience offering a rare fusion of deep operational insight and strategic technology integration. His experience in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations in J&K have been vital in shaping his ability to create practical and field ready systems including the 29 Nov 2016 Nagrota terrorist attack in which seven Army personnel including two officers were killed in action during a terrorist strike and hostage situation by three JeM terrorists, this instance of loss to security forces and comrades-in-arms  was the genesis of the officer’s drive and commitment to induct technology to enable the Indian Army to have an decisive edge in the field of battle no matter where and who the adversary is.

This unique combination of field understanding and technical acumen enabled the officer to successfully develop and induct sophisticated, niche-tech combat systems across different commands and field locations in the past decade. These innovations are now part of mission-critical operations that bolster real-time decision-making and combat resilience. His trajectory resonates with similar efforts by Israeli Defence Forces(IDF) through the Talpiot program, which is an elite IDF training program for military individual who have demonstrated outstanding academic ability in the sciences and leadership potential, they use their expertise to further IDF research and development in technological leadership positions since 1979 and U.S defence program to bring in high tech military defence professionals, who bridge Silicon Valley innovations with battlefield realities through roles in organizations like DIU (Defence Innovation Unit) and Joint Artificial Intelligence Center (JAIC), emphasizing a global shift toward tech-integrated combat strategy.

Maj Jai Upadhyaya, SM comes from a highly patriotic military family, with four generations having served in the Armed Forces, and is an alumnus of Army Public School, and the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. His decision to return to the Indian Army after a successful global consulting career with Fortune 500 firms like Deloitte, EY, Fidelity, and PwC is a testament to the increasing pull of national service for high-skilled professionals. It is also indicative of the Army’s growing capability to attract and retain technical talent through meaningful, high-impact roles.

In conclusion, the Indian Army’s commitment to nurturing Techno Warriors who blend tactical excellence with technological mastery is driving a significant transformation in modern warfare. These officers are not only advancing operational capabilities but are actively shaping India’s military future—where strategy, systems, and soldiering converge. By fostering a culture of innovation and investing in homegrown talent and technologies, the Army is setting a bold course—one that stands tall among its global counterparts in redefining the future battlefield.