Military Modernisation

The Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) organised a two-day seminar on Military Modernisation at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi on 08-09 March 2011. The following is the text of the valedictory address delivered by Lt Gen DS Chauhan, AVSM, DG DIA & DCIDS (Int) on 09 March 2011 at the seminar.

Good afternoon, Ladies and Gentleman. It is my honour to deliver the Valedictory address at this joint CLAWS-CII seminar on ‘Military Modernisation’. I trust that you have had a productive and useful seminar.

Thrust areas in the Army’s modernization plans 2020

The primary role of the Indian Army is to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country against any external threat. When mandated, the  Army is also the primary instrument, available to the constitutional authority to meet the challenges posed by proxy wars and sub-conventional and other internal threats. Although, the focus of current modernisation continues to be on enhancing the conventional deterrence against adversaries, requirements of combat forces employed in sub-conventional operations, have been adequately factored in.

Security threats of the future are expected to be spread over a wide spectrum covering the conventional, sub conventional, asymmetric and NBC warfare from state/ non-state actors. To enable the Army to meet the envisaged challenges, the focus of the ongoing modernisation is to progressively increase our capability through acquisition of military hardware and software that can provide combat edge over our adversary, enable right sizing of our forces and upgrade technology and infrastructure to provide continued support. The army modernisation plan aims to develop prioritised capabilities through induction of high technology weapons and acquisition of force multipliers with a focus on creation of a lethal, agile and networked force, prepared to meet the complex challenges to security.

The critical capabilities that are being enhanced, include  battlefield transparency, battlefield management systems, night-fighting capability, enhanced firepower, including terminally guided munitions, integrated manoeuvre capability, to include Self Propelled Artillery, Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air missiles, latest assault engineer equipment, tactical control systems, integral combat  aviation support  and network centricity. Due emphasis is also being given to make up deficiencies, upgrade “in inventory” platforms, streamline existing logistics support, improve infrastructure in border areas, especially in the North East and also focus on human development  to harness technology at the cutting edge level.

Mechanised Forces

The modernisation of Mechanised Forces involves acquisition of technologies that are on the critical list, even with developed nations. When the technology is available, the state of art vetronics that are part of all modern tracked combat vehicles, pose peculiar challenges, related to integration with other on-board sub systems. The modest defence technology absorption capabilities in our country and IPR related issues with OEM also contribute to delays in modernisation of Mechanised Forces.

The challenges involved in the process have been identified and all round efforts are being made to meet them. There is clarity on the future road map and the philosophy of equipping. The projects that are already underway are being monitored closely to ensure that further slippages are avoided. Induction of new tanks and upgradation of existing equipment have been accorded top priority. Progress on addressing the night blindness of the forces has been satisfactory. Both indigenous and external sources are being explored for enhancing our anti-tank capabilities. The results of indigenous development are encouraging.

Artillery modernisation

Modernisation programme of Artillery, though delayed, is now on track. Modernisation of Artillery is focused on improving battlefield transparency, modernising command and control systems and enhancing firepower by inducting and operationalising long-range missiles, Rocket Regiments and advanced Gun systems on varied platforms. Notable progress has been made in all the envisaged objectives. State of art surveillance systems have been introduced and efforts are on to further improve the range and depth of such capabilities. The procurement strategy caters for sourcing our immediate requirements from external sources with transfer of technology while simultaneously engaging indigenous sources for meeting our long term requirements. The development work on ACCCS has been completed and it is at a very advanced stage of procurement. It is a force multiplier that will enable optimal employment of artillery resources. Trials of new gun systems are progressing well. Actions for procurement  of  towed guns, mounted guns and tracked self propelled guns and upgradation of existing guns have been initiated and we expect major trials in 2011. Indigenous industry is being engaged to upgrade guns and build a reliable support and production base for the long term.

Net-centricity and C42ISR

Our long term modernisation objective of transcending from a platform centric into Synergised Net Centricity lies in linking of platforms into one network of shared awareness in order to obtain information superiority which translates into enhanced combat power. The essential features of net-centricity for C412SR capabilities are a reliable, omnipresent, high speed, scalable and survivable network to enable Decision Support Systems. The Army has made visible progress towards achieving a robust, survivable and high speed Common User Network (CUN) across the country. Army Switched Communication Network (ASCON), Command Inter communication Network (CICN), Army Wide Area Network (AWAN) and Army Radio Engineered Network (AREN) etc., have been established to provide robust Communication Networks across the length and breadth of the country. These networks are being upgraded to meet the ever-growing user needs and changes in technology. 

Towards achieving the long-term modernisation objective of the Indian Army, a large number of Projects like Network for Spectrum (NFS), ASCON Phase IV, Tactical Communication System (TCS) have been initiated which are in various stages of implementation. These shall provide a state-of-the-art and robust Communication System for the CUN as well as in the Tactical Battle Area (TBA). This will be the backbone network and will provide user interface for various applications for Tactical Command, Control, Communication and Information (TacC3I) which are in various stages of development/fielding. These applications will ride intra communication system and the CUN for seamless flow of data across different domains.

Air defence systems

The two-pronged approach to inventory management by the Army Air Defence envisages consolidation of existing capabilities through up gradations while simultaneously building futuristic capabilities through induction of state of art weapon systems in accordance with the approved perspective plan. The approach supports exploitation of indigenous expertise and visualises significant indigenous capability development in the process. As part of the consolidation efforts, the existing AD guns are being upgraded with state-of-the-art electro-optical fire control systems and mechanisms while the associated surveillance, fire control, communication and battle management systems are being revamped. Efforts at enhancing all weather operational capabilities have been successful and significant progress has been made.  Procurement actions for new training and target systems are progressing well.

The futuristic AAD envisages a layered and tiered defence employing integrated family of weapon systems which include state of art gun systems, very short-range, short-range and medium-range Surface-to-Air missiles. There will be a very perceptible shift from gun-centric approach to gun-missile and missile-centric approach to air defence to cater for envisaged future threats. Efforts to modernise AAD are progressing well and the visible changes in its equipment profile can be expected in the near future. Definitive actions for induction of new missile systems and upgradation of existing equipment are expected to be completed this year. Actions for procurement of medium-, short- and very short-range missiles have gathered irreversible momentum and they should be inducted in due course of time.

Information systems

The three Services are in the process of developing/ fielding various information systems, based on Service-Specific operational requirements. To ensure seamless exchange of information in a joint operations scenario, the HQ IDS has undertaken necessary measures, which includes development of strategic Tri-Service Information Communication Technology (ICT) networks. The modernisation of information systems is being progressed as part of ICT Projects. A large number of ICT projects are at different stages of development/fielding. These projects are generally based on open standards, enabling them to integrate at various levels. There are two major projects namely Data Communication Network (DCN) and Network for Spectrum (NFS) at the tri-services level, besides other similar projects. DCN and NFS shall provide a network for seamless flow of information between tactically and strategically important locations of all the three Services.

Cyber warfare

Our adversaries are making rapid advancements in acquiring IW assets to paralyse our information seeking processes during critical phases of operations. Efforts are afoot to equip the Army to tackle these emerging threats and make our information structure robust by plugging vulnerabilities in the information domain. These transformations have led to the incorporation of IW and ISR concepts in the Indian Army. We are presently at a stage when these concepts have matured and are currently being operationlised. To this extent, posting of IW staff at formation HQs has commenced to closely monitor and coordinate all IW issues which inter alia include cyber warfare issues. The focus is presently on achieving a credible defence capability in the short term. Cyber organisations are being raised in consonance with the operational requirements of each Command. As part of the defence cyber warfare capability, important measures in vogue are:

• Conduct cyber audits and cyber security review.
• Evolving a comprehensive Crisis Management Plan for incident handling and response facility.
• Vulnerability analysis and penetration testing of computer networks and applications.
• Cyber forensic analysis.

The long-term perspective would be to gradually develop, with the ability to undertake offensive cyber operations in future.

In conclusion, may I thank CLAWS and CII for organising this seminar on a very important subject, which is very close to the hearts of the serving and the retired fraternity, to the same degree. Thank you.