Special Report: ARI supplies simulators to Indian military, broadens portfolio

ARI officials demonstrate the company's Bridge Operations Simulator. (Janes/Oishee Majumdar)

Delhi-based Applied Research International (ARI) Simulation has supplied the Indian Navy with a range of simulators to enhance training on complex combat and navigation systems, support the safe rehearsal of high-risk scenarios, enable wargaming activities, and improve engineering proficiency.

ARI was acquired in February 2025 by Hyderabad-based Zen Technologies, a supplier of land-based simulators, counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UASs), and sensors to the Indian Armed Forces. Senior ARI officials told Janes in June that the company has since expanded its portfolio to include aerial and land-based simulators, secured new contracts, and launched research and development (R&D) programmes focused on unmanned maritime vehicles.

The officials also detailed the simulators delivered and demonstrated to the Indian Navy and outlined the capabilities of an additional system scheduled for delivery.

Deliveries

Sanjay Kumar, director at ARI, told Janes that the company has delivered the Bridge Operations Simulator, Machinery Operations Simulator, and Submarine Operations and Navigation Simulator to the Indian Navy. The company has also demonstrated its Action Speed Tactical Trainer (ASTT), and is scheduled to deliver a Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) simulator to the service. Kumar said these systems integrate virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to meet operational training requirements.

Kumar said the Bridge Operations Simulator replicates a naval vessel and its operating environment. “The simulator replicates the hydrological conditions, including different sea states, wind, weather, as well as the geographical and physical structures at locations selected by the customer,” he said.