BRIEF

Warfare is changing and so are the threats, especially for India and there are collusive threats from neighbouring nations, border intrusions across terrestrial borders and the new phenomenon of multi-front warfare spanning borders, electronic and cyber domains.

The digitisation process links communication systems, battle space information, and command and control systems effectively and makes relevant real time information and communication facilities available to troops as well as commanders to meet the needs of the operational doctrines of the force.

Enabling C4ISR – command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance – is the essence of digitisation of the battlefield in all domains. Command and Control, Fire Control and Combat Support Systems are warfighting facilities that will provide accurate and real-time combat support information to the CDS, the Theater Commanders, Task Force Commanders and other commanders at various levels as needed. The Service Chiefs and the heads of support services such as Supplies, Transportation, Ordnance Stores, equipment, ammunition, Repair and maintenance facilities, etc., will also be utilising the facility.

A robust and a secure communication infrastructure, sensors, interoperable systems are all mandatory for creating a digitised battlefield environment. Sensors covering the whole spectrum of the battle space to include thermal, infrared, sound and electromagnetic sensors, aerial photography, digital satellite, surveillance and reconnaissance systems, mounted in various platforms such as spacecraft, UAVs, aircrafts, land vehicles, ships, and personal battlefield systems combined with other sources of information will fuse information which is an essential dimension of situational awareness.

Armed forces across the world are digitalising and building network-centric defence ecosystems to bolster combat readiness, modernise battlefield operations, and build strategic deterrence.

Aim

The aim of "Digitisation and Networking in the Armed Forces" Webinar & Virtual Expo is to provide a forum for the stakeholders in the Services and Industry to enable information exchange on latest technologies concerning communication networks, effective network-centric operations, C4ISR, Decision Support Systems; address Info, Data and Big Data Challenges and Vulnerabilities; examine the space domain; and impact of new technologies (5G, IoT, AI, VR/AR) on warfare.

The event will bring together numerous experts from the armed forces, DRDO, public sector, industry and academia and create the platform to present the expertise and discuss lessons learned. The virtual exhibition will offer an opportunity for companies to present their innovative energy efficiency technologies.

Digitisation Imperatives

India already has expansive and secure defence networks across the three Services, but some are decades old and need to be upgraded in view of the changing scenario. There is an urgent need to unify, fortify, and modernise country’s defence networks with Interoperability of Networks, Technology-led security solutions, and Cyber security architecture.

Allied technologies like sensor ecosystem, surveillance, unmanned vehicles and digital twins should be incubated in a staggered manner to use the Joint and Modernised network at a strategic weapon.

Digitisation needs to be worked out based on a well thought out time bound plan with necessary finances and appropriate procurement procedures ironed out.

New Technologies

The defence sector should adopting digital technologies like IoT, AI, Big Data, and AR/VR in an effort to bring out more efficiency to military missions, automate operations, improve precision attacks and reduce casualties and collateral damage.

Ongoing efforts of the Indian Army

The Indian Army is addressing these key areas comprehensively as follows:

 

            1. Army Cloud centre and Digi Locker.

            2. ARPAN 3.0 (Army Record Office Process Automation)

            3. HRMS (human Resource Management System)

            4. MISO 3.0 (Management Information Systems Organisation)

            5. Integrated Quarter Master Package (IQMP)

            6. ASCON (Army Static Switched Communication Network)

            7. Army Radio Engineered Network (AREN)

Technology Enhancement Requirements. As per Technology Perspective and Capability Roadmap (TPCR) 2018, the list of the Indian Army requirement is as follows

            a. Integrated EW System.

            b. EW System Life Cycle of Equipment.

            c. Aerostat Based EW System.

            d. EW Payload for RPA.

            e. Army Strategic Backbone Communication Network.

            f. S Band satellite Terminals.

            g. Software Defined Radio (SDR).

            h. IFF Mk XII (S) (Indian Army and Navy).

Ongoing Efforts of the Indian Navy

In the short term, the Navy needs indigenous phased array surveillance radars, kinetic energy systems, next generation seekers etc.; while in the long run, it needs highly indigenous content of technology, systems and equipment to ensure operational readiness and competiveness on the high seas.

The Indian Navy has achieved maximum indigenisation in the float (hulls and vessels) category 90 % and in the move propulsion category the level of indigenous content is roughly 60 %, whereas, in the fight (weapon) category it is only 30% . Now, there is a need to harness cutting edge technologies to increase the indigenisation content in the fight category.

Technology Enhancement Requirements. As per Technology Perspective and Capability Roadmap (TPCR) 2018, the list of requirement of the Indian Navy is as follows

            a. 5 KW HF Transmitter.

            b. Communication System and sets for Submarines.

            c. Tethered Submarine Buoy.

            d. Indigenous SATCOM Systems (Various Bands).

            e. INMARSAT Maritime voice cum high speed data terminal (FBB 500).

            f. Laser Based Communication Systems.

            g. IFF Mk XII (S).

            h. Cognitive Radio.

            j. Hand Held Sat Phone Mobile.

Ongoing Efforts of the Indian Air Force

* IAF-HAL ePortal.

* Air Force Network (AFNet).

* Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS).

Technology Enhancement Requirements. As per Technology Perspective and Capability Roadmap (TPCR) 2018, the list of requirement of the Indian Air Force is as follows

            a. EW Suite for Medium Lift Helicopters.

            b. Passive Surveillance System.

            c. HF Sets.

            d. Light Weight Man Portable HF Sets.

            e. Mobile Satcom & Tropo Terminal (MSTT).

            f. Hand Held Sat Phone Mobile.

Defence Communication Network (DCN)

In 2018, Ministry of Defence launched India’s first indigenously built integrated Defence Communication Network (DCN). It is a major step towards ensuring Network Centricity across the three Services, Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) and Strategic Forces Command (SFC). It is an important step towards the integration and functioning of the armed forces into theatre commands.

Network For Spectrum (NFS)

NFS was planned as an Exclusive Optical Fibre based Nationwide Communication Network for Defence Services by the Department of Telecom (DoT) when MOD released 20 MHz of 2G and 25 MHz of 3G spectrum for commercial use. The most crucial component of the project was laying of nearly 60,000 Km optical fibre cable (OFC) spanning over the whole country. It has enabled forward linkages to other related industries such as telecom equipment manufacturing and telecom related services.