The Centre for Air Power Studies and Indian Military Review will organise Surveillance & Electro-optics India seminar & exhibition on 11 June 2025 at the Air Force Auditorium, New Delhi.

Surveillance for military operations encompasses a wide range of activities designed to gather, monitor, and analyze information to enhance situational awareness and support decision-making.

In addition, advanced electro-optics systems provide critical capabilities across reconnaissance, targeting, navigation, and defence. Their integration into platforms ranging from handheld devices to satellites makes them indispensable in modern and future military operations.

Importance of Surveillance in Military Operations

Surveillance activities are typically integrated and coordinated across domains to provide a comprehensive understanding of the battlefield, enabling timely and informed decision-making. These operations are vital for both offensive and defensive strategies in military contexts.

Typical surveillance activities in military operations include:

a. Observation and Monitoring

• Aerial Surveillance: Using manned and unmanned aircraft to observe large areas, track targets, and gather imagery.
• Space Surveillance: Observing space-based assets and monitoring potential threats from orbital platforms.
• Ground Surveillance: Monitoring enemy troop movements, vehicles, and installations using ground-based sensors, observation posts, or reconnaissance teams.
• Maritime Surveillance: Monitoring naval activities, coastal areas, and shipping lanes using ships, UAVs, and satellites.

b. Signals Intelligence (SIGINT)

• Communication Interception: Capturing and decoding enemy radio, cellular, or other communication signals.
• Electronic Signals Analysis: Monitoring radar and electronic emissions from enemy equipment to detect, locate, and analyze threats.

c. Imagery Intelligence (IMINT)

• Electro-Optical Imagery: High-resolution visual data captured by cameras, drones, and satellites.
• Infrared and Thermal Imaging: Detecting heat signatures to identify personnel, vehicles, or hidden targets.
• Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR): Capturing high-resolution images through cloud cover or at night.

d. Acoustic and Seismic Monitoring

• Acoustic Detection: Identifying enemy movement or activities through sound monitoring (e.g., submarine movements in underwater surveillance).
• Seismic Sensors: Detecting vibrations caused by enemy vehicles, tunneling activities, or explosions.

e. Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Surveillance

• Detection Systems: Monitoring for traces of chemical, biological, or radiological agents in the air, water, or soil.
• Atmospheric Sampling: Using UAVs or specialized systems to detect and analyze potential NBC threats.

f. Drone and UAV Surveillance

• Reconnaissance Drones: UAVs like the Sea Guardian and Searcher are used for high-altitude, long-duration monitoring.
• Swarm Drones: Coordinated UAVs to cover wide areas or saturate enemy defenses.

g. Satellite Surveillance

• Real-Time Imaging: High-resolution images of battlefields, installations, and critical areas.
• Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT): Analysis of terrain, infrastructure, and movement using geographic data.
• Weather and Environmental Monitoring: Providing information on weather conditions that can impact operations.

h. Persistent Surveillance

• Long-Endurance Platforms: Using UAVs, aerostats, or satellites for continuous, uninterrupted monitoring of critical areas.
• Wide-Area Motion Imagery (WAMI): Tracking multiple moving targets across a large area in real-time.

i.  Electronic Warfare Surveillance

• Radar Detection: Monitoring and identifying enemy radar systems and their operational status.
• Counter-Surveillance: Detecting and mitigating attempts by the enemy to monitor friendly forces.

Electro-optics in Support of Military Operations

Advanced electro-optics (EO) systems play a crucial role in modern military operations by enhancing situational awareness, target acquisition, and precision engagement. These systems leverage optical, infrared, and laser technologies to provide superior capabilities across various domains of warfare.

An overview of use of electro-optic systems is given below.

• Enhanced Vision: Electro-optic systems, such as thermal imaging cameras and night vision devices, allow forces to operate effectively in low-light or adverse weather conditions.
• Real-Time Monitoring: EO systems on drones, aircraft, and satellites enable real-time surveillance, providing critical battlefield intelligence.
• Persistent Observation: Long-range electro-optic sensors, such as those on UAVs and aerostats, support continuous monitoring of enemy movements.
• High-Resolution Imaging: Advanced EO systems provide detailed images for identifying enemy positions, equipment, and personnel.
• Multispectral Targeting: Combining optical, infrared, and ultraviolet spectrums ensures accurate detection even in cluttered environments.
• Laser Designation: Electro-optic systems are often integrated with laser designators to mark targets for precision-guided munitions (PGMs).
• Laser-Guided Weapons: EO systems ensure accurate targeting by guiding missiles and bombs to designated targets.
• Fire Control Systems: Advanced optics are used in tanks, ships, and aircraft to enhance weapon accuracy by integrating data from EO sensors.
• Anti-Drone Systems: Electro-optics enable detection, tracking, and engagement of enemy UAVs.
• Terrain Mapping: EO systems equipped with LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) provide high-resolution 3D maps for mission planning.
• Improved Pilot Vision: Systems like Distributed Aperture Systems (DAS) on modern fighter jets provide pilots with a 360-degree view, enhancing navigation and survivability.
• Optical Jamming: Advanced EO systems are used to jam or disrupt enemy targeting systems reliant on optical or infrared sensors.
• Camouflage Detection: Infrared and hyperspectral imaging detect enemy camouflages, bunkers, or hidden assets.
• AI Integration: Electro-optic systems powered by AI enhance automatic target recognition (ATR) and threat prioritization.
• Unmanned Vehicles: EO systems guide autonomous drones, ground vehicles, and submarines during reconnaissance or combat missions.
• Space Surveillance: Monitoring and tracking space objects or potential threats to military satellites.
• Satellite Imaging: EO payloads on satellites provide high-resolution imagery for strategic intelligence.
• Missile Defense: Electro-optics track ballistic missile launches and trajectories.