Bengaluru, January 23, 2026 – Today, Bengaluru’s BEL Academy of Excellence (Nalanda) became the epicenter for the future of national security. Globals, in partnership with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), proudly hosted the India AI Impact Summit 2026 – Pre-Summit Event focused on the critical theme: “AI in Defence & Aerospace”.
The New Frontier: AI as a Strategic Imperative
The modern landscape of defense has shifted from traditional hardware to a “battle of algorithms”. Artificial Intelligence is no longer just an efficiency tool; it is a pillar of national autonomy and product leadership. From autonomous UAVs and satellite operations to AI-driven cyberwarfare and space situational awareness, AI provides the decision superiority required to navigate the complexities of the modern battlefield. Integrating AI into these sectors ensures that India can compress the OODA (Observe-Orient-Decide-Act) loop, providing a decisive strategic advantage.
Event Highlights and Key Deliberations
The day-long conclave brought together a powerhouse of over 150+ participants, including representatives from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, alongside startups, R&D institutions, and DPSUs.
The sessions moved beyond theoretical pilots, focusing on moving “from pilots to production” in several mission-critical areas:
- Autonomous Systems: Discussions centered on the “intelligence stack” of drones—navigation, swarms, and target recognition—that can survive jamming and cyber-attacks.
- Space Dominance: Experts explored AI’s role in autonomous collision avoidance for satellites, resilient multi-orbit constellations, and the use of digital twins.
- Cyber Resilience: A heavy emphasis was placed on AI-powered Security Operations Centres (SOCs) and the need for “AI handlers” to ensure humans retain ultimate authority in decision-making.
- Battlefield Infrastructure: BEL and DRDO showcased concrete platforms, including integrated drone command and control and the National Maritime Domain Awareness (NMDA) fusion system.
Distinguishing Guests and Speakers
The event was graced by Dr. B. K. Das (DS & DG (ECS), DRDO) as the Chief Guest.
Other distinguished guests included:
- Shri Manoj Jain, CMD, Bharat Electronics Limited
- Lt Gen M. U. Nair (Retd.), Former National Cybersecurity Coordinator
- Maj Gen V. T. Mathew, GOC Karnataka & Kerala Sub Area
- Shri Hari Kumar R, Director R&D, Bharat Electronics Limited
- Dr. Sanjay Tyagi, Director, Software Technology Parks of India, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
- Shri Suhas Gopinath, CEO, Globals
“This Pre-Summit is a decisive step in building a collaborative defence-AI ecosystem where startups, academia, defence forces, and industry partners come together to create trusted, mission-ready AI systems.”
— Shri Suhas Gopinath, CEO, Globals
The Globals Advantage: Building Trusted AI
At Globals, our USP lies in our ability to bridge the gap between cutting-edge innovation and mission-ready deployment. We specialize in developing the autonomous intelligence stacks and cyber-resilient architectures discussed during the summit—prioritizing frugal, edge-deployable AI that functions in data-sparse environments. By focusing on “trusted AI” that remains transparent and auditable, Globals ensures that our defense partners don’t just adopt AI, but master it to maintain a secure strategic edge.
Looking Ahead
This event serves as a milestone leading to the flagship India AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled for 16th to 20th February 2026. We look forward to continuing these vital conversations as we advance India’s AI roadmap across strategic and industrial priorities.