Modern warfare going digital

: Thanks to new and emerging IT and communications technologies, armed forces of developed countries are logging into an era where modern warfare is not going to be fought in the battlefield, but in control rooms. This is because today’s armed forces require a multitude of capabilities—they need to be highly networked, and they need to have the ability to be deployed in remote locations at a very short notice. Crucial here is the ability to conduct network-enabled operations, in which high-performance command, control, computing, communication and intelligence (C4I) systems link sensors, fires, formations and units.

It is seen that the flow of information often starts to falter as soon as armed forces start moving. Valuable information generated at battalion level may not reach receivers in time—battlefield intelligence, friendly forces status and locations. In order to overcome this, India has embarked on a comprehensive modernisation of its armed forces. Over the next few years, the introduction of a modern command information system will improve the Indian Army’s ability to conduct network-enabled operations. The country is not only seeking to enhance the interoperability of its own armed services, but also its ability to take part in multinational operations. “Modern warfare is not going to be fought in the battlefield, but in control rooms,” says Vijay Kumar Saraswat, scientific advisor to the defence minister.

Accordingly, the Indian Army is leveraging on the technology offered by private players to develop network centric warfare systems. The most ambitious project being undertaken is the battle management system (BMS), which provides tactical command and communication from the headquarters down to the foot soldiers. Integrating this system involves a lot of networking of data. The project will include the development of sensors, digitally-enabled weapons and information grids which will enable the efficient functioning of the weapons.

Defence ministry officials inform that they have floated tenders for the test project of battle management system. “The project aims to integrate the Indian Air force, Army and Navy,” a defence ministry official says. One of the recent fully digitised systems integrated by the defence sector is the artillery combat command and control system (ACCCS). The Indian Army has successfully inducted ‘Shakti’ ACCCS, which is a network of military grade computers which provides decision support for all operational aspects of artillery functions from the corps down to the batteries.

A battle management system is designed for the joint battalion combat team. As such, it accelerates...