#2 Why We Build @ the Intersection of Defence & AI

When you grow up around the uniform, you gain a quiet sense of duty that doesn’t always need to be spoken aloud. For me, that sense eventually evolved into AHOMLAMA. I recently sat down for a conversation with Vikas Uppal on AI Tank, where we explored how personal roots and national purpose came together to shape this journey—and how they now drive everything we’re building at AHOMLAMA.

The Mission that started it all

AHOMLAMA was founded not just as a startup, but as a commitment. A commitment to building intelligent tools that can support decision-making where it truly matters, on the frontlines of national security. It started with a simple belief: that homegrown AI can rise to meet uniquely Indian defence challenges from the terrain and communication gaps to operational unpredictability. The goal was never just to "build AI products". The goal has always been to solve hard and interesting problems that live at the intersection of technology, autonomy, and adaptation.

AI's role in the new Defence Playbook

In today's world, technology is no longer situated in the background. It’s tactical. Real-time. Embedded in operations. Supporting an overarching strategy. In the episode, we discussed how AI is becoming essential to modern warfare—not just in the form of massive systems, but in smaller decentralised, layers that make ground-level decisions more informed, from vision based analysis to autonomous systems.

This podcast (linked below) was created during Operation Sindoor. The four day war with Pakistan saw how effective and dominant our indigenous system are. But the battlefield is an ever changing landscape. The war of tomorrow cannot be fought with the technology of today. Therefore India has to keep up and exceed the level of technology of any timeline. Our requirements are unique, multi-geographic with enemies a plenty. Our constraints are non-negotiable. And that’s where innovators need to step in—with clarity, courage and commitment.

Lessons from the early days

Starting a defence-tech company in India is not easy. You’re often navigating ambiguous spaces. Regulatory, financial, and technical all at once. I talked about some of these hurdles in the podcast, especially the importance of patience, ecosystem alignment, and constant feedback from the real world. To build trust in this domain, your product has to work when no one’s watching. There’s no room for fluff or untested ambition.

For the Next Generation of builders

To the young entrepreneurs watching this space: Don’t wait for perfect validation before you start. Build from what you know, listen feedback and iterate. In the age of AI, your edge is not the algorithm. It’s your ability to translate vision into tools that hold up under pressure. And to the parents reading this support makes all the difference. A few words of belief can change the trajectory of a young mind forever.

Closing Thought

At AHOMLAMA, our commitment is clear and unwavering.
Our Mission: To deliver secure, state-of-the-art technology solutions that strengthen and empower India's national defence.
Our Vision: To become a trusted partner in national security—leveraging cutting-edge innovation to meet the evolving needs of the defence, public, and private sectors.

Watch the Full Conversation

I invite you to listen to the full podcast episode.