AI in military logistics streamlines operations through real-time inventory tracking, predictive demand forecasting, supply chain optimisation and autonomous transportation. AI also improves decision-making, reduces costs, mitigates risks and enhances operational readiness.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionising defence Logistics and supply chain management (L&SCM). It can play a significant role in increasing operational efficiency. AI in defence logistics is considered a valuable management tool that can shape our future supply chain capabilities.

Strategic Role of AI

Advanced AI algorithms, machine learning and data analytics transform the defence logistics in military operations and efficiency.

1. Supply Chain Option: AI  have several uses in the Supply Chain Management support. It improves the route optimisation and predictive maintenance. Machine Learning (ML) can analyse the historical data to predict equipment failure and optimise inventory levels. The technology empowers companies to analyse large amounts of data, enabling precise decision-making, production schedules in real time and predicting product demand patterns. AI is the ability to process vast datasets, enabling precise production schedules that ensure supplies are available when and where they are needed, particularly crucial in defence.
2. Autonomy in Logistics: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) can offer significant benefits, as they enable the formulation of effective distribution strategies and logistics pathways. AI algorithms, military planners can design logistics for complex terrains, deliver supplies to remote locations, and detect threats.
   • Key benefits of AI autonomous vehicles in logistics include increased efficiency, faster delivery time, and increased throughput by operating 24/7.
   • Without human control, companies can potentially save on labour and costs, as well as fuel consumption.
   • An electric or hybrid vehicle is beneficial in reducing emissions.
     
3. Resource Allocation Just in Time (JIT): AI in planning supports efficient deployment of vehicles, drones and supply chains by analysing resource availability, operational priorities and time constraints. AI ensure that critical supplies reach the required location on time, which is beneficial for efficiency and effectiveness.  Also, analyse the real-time data, such as fuel availability or vehicle status, that ensures supplies reach their destination without delay, preventing operational failures and reducing inventory carrying costs.
4. Real Time Decision Support: AI develops real-time decision support in routing disruptions,  weather conditions and environmental considerations. With the ability to analyse vast amounts of diverse, real-time data, including traffic, weather, vehicle specifications, and fuel costs, the AI can devise the most efficient transportation. It strengthens the textual justifications for the selected routes, offering logistics managers a broader range of options and facilitating superior decision-making and scenario planning. It enhances operational agility and resilience, enabling defence forces to adapt to rapidly changing conditions.

India’s Defence & Aerospace Logistics

India is now a growing market and one of the leading buyers of defence and aerospace technology. It could continuously enhance the defence preparedness in operational logistics, customs clearance, priority operations, reaching out to remote and difficult terrain locations and providing transport security & armed escorts.  AI is playing a significant role in this transformation.

Significance of L&SCM

1. Speed & Efficiency: AI in defence L&SCM is more beneficial in complex combat situations, as it can significantly contribute to the increased effectiveness of maintenance activities, especially in time delivery. Additionally, warehouse robots can provide greater speed and accuracy, achieving higher levels of productivity in AI defence logistics and supply chain management.
2. Cost Saving: The AI ecosystem is efficient and cost-effective through increasing the efficiency, timelines of transport activities by reducing operational costs and also human efforts. AI in defence logistics is beneficial, especially in operational planning, because predictive maintenance reduces the need for costly emergencies and repairs and enhances cost-effectiveness. 
3. Enhanced Situational Awareness: AI is used for red teaming, where the rapid identification of potential signs of malfunction, anticipated potential failures or the moment specific components should be replaced. Basically, AI can analyse sensor data to prevent costly breakdowns and ensure operational continuity.
4. Reduces Risk to Personnel: AI can enhance transportation capabilities by minimising human involvement in dangerous tasks. Especially, the development of Autonomous vehicles, drones and unmanned aerial systems in defence applications. These AI technologies can improve the safety and precision of logistics, which reduces the risk to military personnel and improves the precision of logistic operations.

 Challenges and Ethical Considerations

Meanwhile, if we see the significant benefits of technology in defence L&SCM, the conscious and ethical considerations must be addressed to ensure responsible use.

i) Data Privacy and Security: AI systems in L&SCM rely heavily on a vast amount of data, including personal and sensitive data. The collection, storage and processing of such data can pose a higher challenge to privacy if it is not properly safeguarded. The misuse of data or unauthorised sharing can lead to severe reputational damage. It needs to be transparent about how it collects and uses data, especially in military operations.

ii) Bias and Discrimination: Another challenge is that AI, with its supply chain systems, is only as good as the data they were trained on, which can inadvertently incorporate existing biases. This could result in flawed decisions- misallocation in delivery, because if the trained data is biased or incomplete, AI algorithms can perpetuate or amplify those biases that lead to discriminatory outcomes.

iii) Ethical Concern: The logistics transformation in AI is faster, smarter, and efficient deliveries, but it raises concerns of ethical challenges such as data privacy, security, transparency, and accountability. Countries need to build strong AI systems to establish clear ethical guidelines and principles to govern AI utilisation, human control, and accountability is essential to ensure that AI decisions align with ethical standards and operational objectives. Recently, several entities have developed guidelines for AI, including NATO, the US, and the UK

Future Outlook

We can ensure every node in the chain has human involvement with their own ambitions and responsibilities. The future workforce will need to be adaptable, creative and disciplined in applying these tools to their specific contexts. There is a need for technical skills, creative, critical thinking and effective communication. We should focus on policies, research methods and leadership for effective AI.  Ongoing investment in technology and collaborations within the industry and academia is for exploring new avenues in military logistics.

Conclusion

Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionising supply chain management, defence logistics, and decision-making abilities. Speed, efficiency, cost savings, improved situational awareness, and decreased employee risk are all important aspects of supply chain management and military logistics. Data privacy and security are pressing challenges that require attention in the years to come. Introducing the blockchain concept to bring all the distributed databases together under one application will be a big challenge.

Title Image Courtesy: Guardian AI

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the views of the Government of India and the Defence Research and Studies

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