Director General Information Systems Lt General P.C. Katoch, UYSM, AVSM, SC elaborates on the Indian Army’s efforts at transition from conventional warfare to information-enabled warfare
SP’s Land Forces (SP’s): Network Centric Warfare (NCW) is an information superiority-enabled concept at the heart of which lie digital communication networks. How is the Indian Army (IA) visualising transformation to this type of warfare?
Director General Information Systems (DGIS): The IA is in a phase of transition from conventional warfare to informationenabled warfare, that is, from platform centric to network centric warfare. The full realisation of any such revolution is possible only with technological development, organisational adaptation and, most importantly, a national will. An effective and technologically sound information technology (IT) force, along with robust communication networks, have been created to facilitate real-time sharing of information and quick decision making so as to achieve information superiority. A road map has been formulated by which we can progress steadily towards being a potent IT force.
Next, we have identified development of C4I2 systems as a major thrust area for modernisation of the army. Development and fielding of automated operational information systems for various levels of operations from Army HQs to Battalion HQs and down to individual soldiers is in progress. Command Information Decision Support System, Artillery Combat Command Control System, Battlefield Surveillance System, Air Defence Control and Reporting System and Battlefield Management System are the major projects under development. Integrated together with requisite communications, these systems will provide near real time Sensor to Shooter links to make the army a network centric force.
SP’s: Has the IA outsourced any projects to the private industry and the defence PSUs?
DGIS: All our projects are being executed by private parties. In come cases, such as various mission critical Operational Information Systems, the projects are being designed by DRDO and productionised by public sector undertakings such as Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL).
SP’s: What is the current status of the IA’s Command, Information and Decision Support System (CIDSS) which involves the development of the following:
(a) Artillery Command and Control, and Communication System
(b) Air Defence Control and Reporting System
(c) Electronic Warfare System
(d) Battle Management System
What is the current status of each project?
DGIS: The projects are at various stages of development. From systems study stage as in case of Battlefield Management System (BMS) to fielding stage as in case of Artillery Combat Command Control System (ACCCS).
SP’s: In France, BMS, reportedly includes the entities from Corps Headquarters downwards to the unit level. What is the IA’s concept of the BMS?
DGIS: BMS in our case will be a system providing situational awareness to a unit/subunit/detachment commander and networking him down to an individual soldier or a tank. It will be addressing the command control and information (C2I) needs of the Tactical Battle Area (TBA) and will be a building block in the overall NCW architecture.
For reading full subscribe now |
