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In a breakthrough for India’s small arms manufacturing, Adani Defence & Aerospace has unveiled Arad, the country’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI)-equipped assault rifle, setting a new benchmark for indigenous innovation in defence technology.
Developed at Adani’s state-of-the-art Small Arms Manufacturing Facility in Kanpur, the Arad is built on Israeli design fundamentals but refined for the operational needs of Indian forces. Its AI-driven fire control system places it among the most advanced assault rifles ever produced in India.
AI That Thinks Before It Shoots
The defining feature of Arad is its AI-powered fire control mechanism, which ensures that every shot is calculated for maximum accuracy and efficiency.
Unlike conventional rifles that fire in rapid bursts, the Arad’s AI introduces micro-delays, releasing the second bullet only after the first has hit its mark. It reduces ammunition wastage and counteracts recoil-induced aim disruption, especially during rapid fire.
“Most rifles today sacrifice accuracy for rate of fire,” explained an Adani Defence official to this BharatShakti correspondent during an exclusive visit to the Kanpur facility. “Arad changes that paradigm; it’s a weapon that quite literally thinks before it shoots.”
Inducted Into Indian Paramilitary Forces
The Arad has already been inducted into a leading paramilitary force, a milestone that underscores the growing role of private sector innovation in India’s defence preparedness.
Chambered for 5.56×45mm NATO rounds, the rifle offers a firing rate of 700–1100 rounds per minute. Its lightweight build, weighing just 2.85 kg, makes it ideal for both infantry soldiers and special forces operatives.
Smart, Lethal, and Soldier-Friendly
The Arad is designed to embody the Indian Army’s combat ethos of “One Bullet, One Kill.” Its lightweight design, ergonomic build, and AI-assisted targeting make it equally suited for young recruits and veteran soldiers, boosting tactical efficiency in high-stakes combat situations.
Part of a New Small Arms Arsenal
The Arad is part of a broader family of weapons being manufactured by Adani Defence in Kanpur, which includes:
- Teevra and Abhay carbines
- Jeet and Prahar assault rifles
- Achhuk and Lakshya sniper rifles
While these weapons draw on Israeli design roots, Adani Defence has been systematically indigenizing them under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, the company claims.
Big-Ticket Defence Contracts Ahead
Adani Defence is also a key player in a Rs 2,000 crore carbine production contract, working in collaboration with the DRDO to manufacture 4.25 lakh carbines for the Indian Armed Forces. This program aims to meet the long-standing requirement of the Indian Armed Forces for a lightweight, efficient weapon system suitable for modern combat. Under the deal, Adani’s Kanpur facility will produce 40% of the total requirement, further solidifying its position in India’s private defence manufacturing sector.
AI and the Future of Indian Small Arms
With the launch of Arad, Adani Defence has moved beyond conventional weapon design, merging AI, precision engineering, and indigenous manufacturing.
As India intensifies its push for defence self-reliance, such AI-integrated smart weapons could shape the next generation of armed forces, blending technology with tactical superiority.
Huma Siddiqui
