Transformation of the Indian Army
Technology as a Driver
The Indian Army transformation programme was initiated in 2009 with a clear mandate of “optimising resources, right– sizing for effectiveness and technology insertion”. The need to undertake such transformation process has been necessitated by the twin requirement to provide the Indian Army decisive military capability as well as remain operationally relevant. The triggering of this inescapable need is attributed to the dynamics of security environment in the regional and global context apart from the need to replace ageing technologies and modernise in tune with global developments. The Indian Army would therefore need to leverage emerging and newer technologies to provide impetus to modernisation plans and also support our envisaged doctrinal and conceptual shifts in warfighting.
Contemporary military technology and future advances will certainly enable military operations to be conducted with greater speed, precision and selective destruction. In order to fully exploit the potential offered by these technologies, it is therefore imperative that any force restructuring or transformation takes into account the technology aspects, especially those in critical areas like ISR, command & control systems and precision guided weapons. Such technology acquisition and development has thus potential to emerge as a driver to support transformation of the Indian Army and mitigate the risks associated with obsolescence and a perpetually low national technology threshold.
The Premise of Technology
An analysis of the capabilities of armies in developed nations and the operational exploitation of advanced
defence technologies and innovations in the fi eld by the US and its allies in Iraq and Afghanistan, reveal a wish list that has been identifi ed to support the transformation process, and is based on the following premise :
Weapon systems and platforms should facilitate mobile warfare i.e., emphasis will be on faster mobilisation and persistent ISR capability.
Dominant battle space knowledge with combined capabilities of Battlefield Management System (BMS), C4ISR and interoperability between theatres as well as the three Services.
Decisive neutralisation of regional threats and credible deterrence capability against extra-regional threats.
Range of capabilities across the spectrum of conflict.
Control the use of space and counter conventional and ballistic missile threats.
Technological Imperatives
The Technology Perspective Capability Roadmap (TPCR) approved by the Indian MoD in August 2012, and available in open domain, lists defence technological advances that the Armed Forces are looking for during the next 15 years timeframe. Of this list, the following are considered critical for capability development and supporting transformation :
Developing technological advances in battle space management, together with advances in accuracy and enhanced ranges of guided munitions and sensors, both on ground and airborne (UAVs and satellites).
Enable MBTs and other armoured vehicles to engage targets at longer ranges, beyond LOS.
Provide an information sphere to provide persistent situational awareness duly networked with sensors- and-shooters.
Robust mobile communication network.
Digital communication network using Battlefield Management System (BMS), communication satellites and Software Defined Radios (SDRs).
Network enabled capabilities to facilitate greater availability of shooter, shorter sensor-to-shooter response times and faster decision making.
Night fighting capabilities based on thermal imagery ( TI) seekers with uncooled detector arrays for better sensitivity and enhanced ranges.
UGS (Unattended Ground Sensors).
Acoustic, seismic, optical, electrooptical (EO) and magnetic sensors with greater accuracy and improved ranges, for enhancing situational awareness.
UAVs with IR, SAR or ISAR via satellite data links for precision target acquisition, ISR and PSDA.
Indigenous GPS (IRNSS) for PNT and improved precision targeting.
Improve sensors, in accuracy and range, on board satellites, UAVs and ISR systems to provide positive identification of tanks, armoured vehicles, SAMs and other ground support equipment.
Fiberoptic communications to provide greater redundancy and higher security against cyber attacks.
Development of indigenous Future Main Battle Tanks (FMBT) and Future Infantry Combat Vehicles (FICV).
Development of anti- tank weapons to counter developments in armour protection technologies.
Development of information superiority to degrade adversary’s combat potential while safeguarding own.
Developing a potent Area Missile Defence as a safeguard against possible tactical ballistic missile strikes.
The Way Forward
No dream of transformation, leading to credible capability development, can materialise without induction of identified technologies. The following will facilitate defence technology acquisition and work towards realisation of the transformation endeavour :
Conceptualisation of a road map for development or acquisition of these critical defence technologies.
Formulate an acquisition strategy and evolve related acquisition methodologies for each critical technology.
Derive ( and legislate) sacrosanct timelines for technology development and conversion into capability by production of resultant defence equipment.
Identify of global leaders of each of the critical defence technologies, forge of MoUs for co-development / joint production.
Exploit diplomatic and strategic alliances by formalising Government to Government defence pacts for acquisition of critical technologies.
Undertake critical defence technology development with dedicated and empowered Project Management Teams (PMTs).
Stakeholders be taken on board so that projects do not dissipate midway for vested interests.
Undertake periodic appraisal of technology acquisition/ development schemes and projects.
Actively involve academia, MSMEs and private sector defence industry in sharing technology and generation of parallel capacities with adequate security safeguards.
Identify various areas of dual use technologies to hasten development and absorption into commercial applications.
Earmark adequate national resources including infrastructure and allocation of dedicated budgets to facilitate defence technology acquisition and development.
HR transformation in new raisings, accretions and conversions, in sync with equipping plans related to induction of advanced defence technology into fighting units, thereby providing the cutting edge
This ‘ wish list’, in the form of recommendations, is neither exhaustive nor a guaranteed solution to fast track the transformation process, which is highly dependent on equipping strategies and induction of newer equipment. Still, this is a multi- pronged approach, which keeps track of technology acquisition and development alongwith force structuring to ensure a secure future.