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In This Issue >> LEAD STORY illustration: Anoop Kamath Page 4 Pulwama to Balakot – Myths, Realities and Challenges The larger strategic picture of evolving subcontinental geopolitics remains blurred in some of the myths, realities and challenges that merit a review. IAF Mirage 2000s launch Spice 2000 bombs Lt General A.B. Shivane (Retd) BALAKOT LoC The smart bombs glide Page 6 towards the target Tactical Communications: Evolving Technology Chakothi INDIA

The unique scene- matching algorithm of the Spice 2000 adjusts the flight path of the bomb

Integrated tactical communications systems are expected to be the key in military Spice 2000s home in and communications trends as technology makes penetrate the exact target location ever-advanced capabilities possible. Map not drawn to scale and boundaries are only for representation Lt General P.C. Katoch (Retd) How it unfolded: A graphic showing the launch and strike by Spice 2000 smart bomb from IAF Mirage 2000 on February 26, 2019 Page 7 Interview Timothy Soine, Sr. Manager, Product Management, International Radio Products, Communication Systems, Harris Takeaways from Corporation.

Page 8 Indian Army’s Tactical Communications Programme Balakot Army’s Tactical Communication System (TCS), which should have been fielded in year 2000 was expected to kick-start in 2017 has been We need to move away from a hyped up national fervour bordering on jingoism meandering till date. Lt General P.C. Katoch (Retd) orchestrated by a hyperbolic media to a balanced view on national security issues. A realistic assessment of our capabilities and limitations is imperative to adopt a Page 10 Electro-Optical Devices for Image Enhancing mature approach. Integration of thermal and laser imagery with electro-optic systems is the way ahead for effective surveillance solutions by day  General Deepak Kapoor (Retd) ‘preemptive’ and ‘non-military’ nature of they lost a F-16 and a pilot in the process. and night in all weather conditions. the strike intended to convey to the inter- Obviously, their response too reflected an he Indian Air Force (IAF) national community and the other side effort to buttress public opinion that Pak Lt General Naresh Chand (Retd) needs to be complimented for a that India had acted against terror and not military is no pushover. well planned, coordinated and Pakistan and its military. However, this did Wing Commander Abhinandan’s Page 12 meticulously executed strike on seem to give credence to the allegations by immediate release simultaneously with The Gold Standard for Small Arms a crucial Jaish terror hub at Bala- a section of the public in both countries Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s SP’s Land Forces’ Vishal Thapar profiles Tkot, located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa prov- that it suited BJP’s electoral politics. repeated requests to India to start a dia- some of the world’s most iconic military ince of Pakistan. The Pakistani response a day later by logue to resolve issues depicted Pakistan rifles, and also takes a peek into the Indian While going ahead with Balakot strike, sending its air force in broad daylight to as a nation wanting peace and shifted the Army’s new Infantry weapons the government simultaneously sent out attack Indian military installations along focus of the international community signals to indicate that it did not want to the Line of Control (LC) in Naushehra away from Pakistan’s cultivation of terror Plus escalate matters to a full-fledged confron- Sector was nothing more than a blunder infrastructure for proxy war in J&K. In the tation with Pakistan. Addressing of the knowing fully well that the IAF would be euphoria of Abhinandan’s quick return, Special Reports 14 press conference, the Foreign Secretary prepared for such a retaliation and would the shrill cacophony of perceived victory News in Brief 15 (not the Defence Secretary) stressed on the arrange a befitting reception. No wonder orchestrated by Indian electronic media

2/2019 SP’s Land Forces 1 >> LEAD STORY

complimented for a well planned, sessment of our capabilities and with the new generation of high vices with electro optical systems coordinated and meticulously ex- limitations is imperative to adopt throughout satellites are making like thermal images and laser ecuted strike on a crucial Jaish a mature approach.” it increasingly cost effective for sensors to make it an all weather, terror hub at Balakot, located in This issue has a focus on the military. day and night system for better Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Tactical Communications and Indian Army is on the verge image resolution. Laser applica- Pakistan. While going ahead with we have articles highlighting the of a major change in small arms tions include Laser radar called Balakot strike, the government future trends in Tactical Commu- with the induction of the state of Ladar (Laser detection and rang- simultaneously sent out signals nications driven by technology art assault rifles, machine guns ing), laser range finder (LrF) and to indicate that it did not want to and also on the TCS program and sten guns for close quar- a laser pointer. The article also escalate matters to a full-fledged of the Indian Army, both writ- ter battle and sniper rifles. New includes some examples of the confrontation with Pakistan. Ad- ten by Lt. Gen. Katoch (Retd.) technology in small arms trends latest EO systems globally. dressing of the press conference, former DGIS. As per the Global include better reliability, longer The issue as usual ends with the Foreign Secretary (not the Market Insights, Inc., the global life, more lethal ammunition as Special Reports and the news This year has been very eventful Defence Secretary) stressed on tactical communications mar- per operational requirement and digest. so far with the onset of National the ‘preemptive’ and ‘non-military’ ket will value around $30 billion better sighting systems which im- Wish you discerning readers Elections, expectations of a new nature of the strike intended to by 2024, growing at a CAGR of prove accuracy and first shot kill. happy reading! government and budget, and convey to the international com- more than three percent in 2017- Vishal Thapar lists the Gold Stan-

EDITORIAL tangible tension on the Indo-Pak munity and the other side that In- 2024. Replacement of outdated dard in Small Arms and profiles border. The horrific attack on the dia had acted against terror and legacy systems is expected to the leading rifles being used. CRPF convoy and the reactions not Pakistan and its military. He drive market growth. The author The article on electro-optical have left a deep scar on the Indo- ended with a note of caution by highlights some of the technolo- devices by Lt General Naresh Pakistan relations. The former stating that, “We need to move gies like VSAT Networks; Eth- Chand (Retd) highlights that such Army Chief of the Indian Army away from a hyped up national ernet and VoIP; 3D Printing and devices enhance the image and General Deepak Kapoor gives fervour bordering on jingoism or- Synthetic Telepathy; Quantum thus the raison d’etre for multiple out the narrative which led to the chestrated by a hyperbolic media Communications and concludes applications for the armed forces, Balakot air strike. He said that, to a balanced view on national Tactical and battlefield communi- medical and commercial devices. Jayant Baranwal “The Indian Air Force needs to be security issues. A realistic as- cations are improving rapidly and The trend is to integrate other de- Publisher & Editor-in-Chief

Photograph: IAF changed the mood of the nation from anger military in the past is gradually eroding. As to jubilation. A subsequent pronounce- a percentage of the GDP, our defence budget ment by the government that a repeat of has been continuously declining over the Pulwama would invite greater retribution last 10 years. The political authority should for Pakistan next time effectively signaled appreciate the fact that a nation can achieve closure of the Pulwama chapter and com- greatness only when it is strong both eco- mencement of ‘business as usual’. nomically and militarily. It may be interesting Now that the dust seems to be settling to note that China’s military expenditure has down over our Balakot action and we are been about three and half times more than gradually getting back to ‘normalisation’ ours for the last two decades. with Pakistan, as happened post 26/11, Our intelligence acquisition capabil- Pathankot and Uri episodes, we need to look ity against Pakistan can decisively be bet- at the takeaways from the aftermath of the ter than what it currently is. With massive heinous Pulwama attack in which 40 of our satellite launching ability recognised the brave CRPF jawans were martyred. world over; we should be able to put in space The Pulwama massacre, for which satellites to monitor every single activity in Jaish-e-Mohammed (JEM) has publically Pakistan on a minute to minute basis. The claimed responsibility, is part of the proxy human intelligence network dismantled war which Pakistan state has financially, during Prime Minister Narsimha Rao’s time diplomatically and militarily supported in in the nineties has still not been resurrected J&K, to ‘bleed India by a thousand cuts’. fully. The irony is that even in J&K our intel- Their preferred weapon for achieving this ligence failed to detect the occurrence of is, of course, terrorism. We have lost more IAF Mirage 2000: Over three decades in service and still going strong Pulwama strike by JEM in time, resulting in soldiers and civilians to this scourge than in so many avoidable casualties! all the wars fought since independence. It politico military synergy, highlighted prow- retaliation by Pakistan. However, if Bala- As far as exposure of Pakistan’s nuclear is not unusual to learn about 4 to 5 deaths ess of Indian military might, displayed our kot strike was meant to deter Pak from ambiguity is concerned, a onetime test daily in the Valley through the national excellent intelligence acquisition capability, continuing its proxy war in J&K, it does cannot become the basis of such an asser- print and electronic media. Unfortunately, exposed Pakistan’s nuclear ambiguity so not appear to have succeeded considering tion. It also needs to be appreciated that the the Indian conscience gets awakened only on and so forth. From a professional per- the undiminished intensity of encounters decision to use its nuclear weapons rests when large numbers get martyred like it spective, it would be fair to say that some in the valley post Pulwama. The question solely with Pakistan. It may decide to use happened at Uri and Pulwama! of these claims are yet to be fully proved for that arises is that while a red line may have them when it feels its laid down threshold Demolition of terror infrastructure which their effectiveness on ground. Let us exam- been breached, has it served our purpose of has been crossed in as far as its survival is has wreaked havoc in the Kashmir valley for ine them a little more in detail. retaliation? Should repetitive action not be concerned. This may not be related to Bala- the last 30 years and bringing back peace The red lines have indeed been shifted undertaken to achieve the desired result? kot type of air raid at all. In any case, only and normalcy to the trouble torn area should as a result of the Balakot strike. Proactive Enhancement of politico military syn- repeated forays in to Pakistan air space can always remain the focus of any administra- action taken by India in striking a target ergy has indeed taken place. The need for provide a definitive conclusion whether its tion. To achieve this, a synchronised and deep in Pakistan did change the perception simultaneous and synergised action at both nuclear ambiguity stands exposed, if at all. coordinated approach covering economic, that despite conventional superiority, India national and international levels to expose Protagonists of Balakot strike would not diplomatic and military actions to continu- will not respond militarily to Pulwama inci- Pakistan’s nexus with terror and coordi- hesitate to come up with additional virtues ously pressurise Pakistan both bilaterally and dent because of possible threat of nuclear nated approach to tackle it politically as well of the strike to buttress their arguments. internationally need to be undertaken. as militarily is well acknowledged. However, But that is where the basic argument shifts A surgical strike by the Indian Army in such a methodology of functioning must from pure professionalism to politicisation, September 2016 post the Uri terror attack, Demolition of terror be institutionalised in order to handle simi- an aspect which needs to be avoided at all which was claimed to be a game changer lar crisis in the future, at short notice. In costs. National security must never be sacri- then, did not bring about any appreciable infrastructure which fact, institutionalisation may even prevent ficed at the altar of politics. change in the pattern and intensity of ter- recurrence of such crisis as they may be We need to move away from a hyped ror attacks in the valley. In fact, the num- has wreaked havoc in foreseen in advance. up national fervor bordering on jingoism ber attacks on the security forces including It may not be appropriate to conclude that orchestrated by a hyperbolic media to a bal- on those belonging to Kashmir increased in the Kashmir valley for the Balakot strikes highlighted the prowess of anced view on national security issues. A 2018, thus further deteriorating the situa- Indian military might as a very small portion realistic assessment of our capabilities and tion. Currently, post the Balakot surgical air the last 30 years and of the military was employed by both sides. limitations is imperative to adopt a mature strike, there is hardly any decline in the ter- bringing back peace and Only a full-fledged conflict can accurately approach. A professional military hierarchy rorist activities. This highlights the fact that bring out the prowess of a nation’s military in is ideally suited to provide inputs for such an occasional one-off strike against terror normalcy to the trouble relation to the adversary. In any case, we need informed decision making at the highest infrastructure in Pakistan is not going to to do a lot more in modernising our military political levels. While bureaucrats have a produce the desired results and a sustained torn area should always and improving its preparedness. An all party useful role to play in rendering advice on and relentless targeting of terror modules parliamentary committee led by Gen B.C. governance issues, their limitations on pro- both within and across the LC needs to be remain the focus of any Khanduri concluded in March 2018 that 68 fessional military issues should not be lost undertaken. per cent of the equipment held by the military sight of. SP It has been variously claimed that Bal- administration is nearing obsolescence. The conventional

www.spslandforces.com akot strikes shifted red-lines, enhanced superiority enjoyed by our military over Pak —The Author is former COAS

2 SP’s Land Forces 2/2019 CONNECT EVERY ECHELON Harris Falcon Net Ecosystem™ delivers robust, resilient, data-centric networks By land, sea and air—trust Harris for proven interoperability and multi-domain superiority. Whatever the challenges, our experts will integrate the right combination of software-defined radios, waveforms, applications and services to power your mission—today and into the future.

harris.com | #harriscorp >> SECURITY Pulwama to Balakot – Myths, Realities and Challenges

The larger strategic picture of evolving subcontinental geopolitics remains blurred in some of the myths, realities and challenges that merit a review

Photograph: Dassault Aviation  Lt General A.B. SHIVANE (Retd) Myths, Realities and Challenges Having said that there are some myths, lot has been spoken and some realities and larger challenges that written on the “Indo Pak get blurred in such strategic confronta- Dynamics 2.0” and the global tions with clutter of hyper nationalism, impact, post the Pulwama ter- self-assuring perceptions of nations and rorist attack 2019. However political discourses. So also, is the case of mostA of the discourses have missed the the journey from Pulwama to Balakot and wood for the trees to see the larger strate- beyond. India deservingly takes pride in the gic picture and geopolitical realities. The transformed retribution strategy and reso- journey from Pulwama to Balakot and lute national resolve. Pakistan on the other beyond has certainly recalibrated, though hand takes solace in the traditional deni- not necessarily brought a paradigm shift ability, follow up ceremonial counter strikes in the global geostrategic canvas in gen- as a face saver and the perceived global eral and Asia in specific. The narrative appreciation of conflict de-escalation. How- of “Naya (New) Pakistan” being exposed ever, the larger strategic picture of evolving by the reality of “Ubharta (Rising) India” subcontinental geopolitics remains blurred and its transmuted strategic culture is a in some of the myths, realities and chal- reality but possibly insufficient to turn lenges that merit a review. the tables of Proxy War. All the same it has been a welcome curtain raiser of the Myth No. 1: Balakot Bombing will hopeful evolution of a National Defence Eliminate the Specter of Proxy War Strategy for India. The Indian response Balakot was an important landmark was befitting but impact limited to possibly event, but the reality is that, by itself it is a welcome breather and an uneasy calm. insufficient to dilute the legitimacy of the India “Hit Hard” and “Hit Where it Hurt”, Pakistan Army and the bonhomie with its but perhaps not enough to make the hurt strategic assets to wage proxy war against last. The logical path for India thus lies India. Proxy war has a much larger his- in not allowing the hurt inflicted to heal toric baggage and strategic dimension till its mutilation brings about peace and than just destruction of terrorist camp. tranquility in the region. Meanwhile the India-Pakistan animosity is deep-rooted in journey from Pulwama to Balakot has incompatible national identities, divergent exposed the continental real politik’s and geopolitical interests and conflicting strate- Time and again, the iaf Mirage 2000 has proven its mettle the emerging global geopolitical canvas gic culture since their birth. The quest for which must define India’s way ahead. equality, revisionist culture and primacy of actors. India has strategically dislocated enmeshed geo-economics and stature as Pakistan Army as the guardians of the ideol- Emerging Continental Strategic Pakistan psychologically, physically, tem- one of the largest growing economy, is driv- ogy of the state are the foundational edifice Security Canvas porally and functionally. Does this mark ing incremental multilateral engagements of proxy war against India. Thus, Balakot The transactional trajectory of Indian the evolution of Indian Cold Start Strat- even with Pakistan’s all-weather ally China, may have raised the cost of proxy war but response strategy from Risk Aversion egy 2.0 with ­preemption, dislocation and Turkey and Saudi Arabia. From sixth larg- it is inadequate by itself for India to stymie and Strategic Restraint of 26/11 to Risk disruption as its operational tools and est global economy to among the top three the proxy war. Besides Pak sponsored proxy Aligned and Symbolic Retribution post maneouvre warfare as its war fighting phi- economies over the next decade is seen as war helps China to hedge India and thus Uri to Risk Acceptance and Strategic Coer- losophy? Only time will tell but not much a reality by the world. India’s geography, has larger than Pak dimension and sup- cion post Pulwama, has incrementally remains to debate its merit. natural resources and economic growth port. Militarily India must widen the asym- reformatted the Asian strategic security At the diplomatic level from non-align- trajectory are increasingly seeking global metry in sub conventional, conventional calculus and global security paradigm. ment and strategic heteronomy to proactive attention and integration. Its strategic and strategic domain with Pakistan which Pakistan was only an irresponsible enabler multi alignment and strategic autonomy location and geo-economics as the driver would also make sense in decreasing the whose Pulwama misadventure acted as a is the new mantra. Balakot was a major of geopolitics is thus a foregone conclusion. asymmetry with China. The tools of infor- catalyst to demonstrate to the world emer- diplomatic success at the global arena in India has emerged far more important to mation warfare, C5ISR and non-contact gence of a rising India, which the world successfully exposing Pakistan’s proxy the world than a rogue Pakistan, irrespec- warfare which are presently nascent must had not anticipated. In the bargain Paki- war and showcasing India’s resolve to pre- tive of Afghanistan new great game and be given due impetus by India. Pakistan stan exposed chinks in its armour and its serve and safeguard its national interests Chinese hegemony. must be kept embroiled on the LC by aggres- strategic vulnerabilities, irrespective of independently. Indeed, India has evolved The challenge however lies for future sive actions as part of offensive defence and playing the card of de-escalation well. as a mature and major global player who Indian governments to sustain and bal- internally through covert actions to bleed Balakot marked India shedding its status demands respect and recognition in the ance this new defence strategy and its its resources and foster instabilities. Kauti- quo and past strategic inertia on matters comity of nations. Economically too, its escalatory matrix, with other facets of lya had wisely said “Your neighbour is your of national defence and strategic auton- national strategic security and economic natural enemy and the neighbour’s neigh- omy. Its new normal exhibits certainty of growth. Hyper-nationalism by way of bour is your friend”. India needs to exploit response even in the fog of adversary’s The challenge however public pressure and political compulsions these leverages and coordinate with Iran traditional deniability with uncertainty of cannot be the sole driver of strategic deci- and Afghanistan to create three fronts for intensity and medium, irrespective of the lies for future Indian sion making. Nationalism is a positive Pakistan besides weakening its influence strategic restraints. It demonstrated the attribute, but hyper nationalism at times in Afghanistan. Pakistan’s political, social nations resolve, strong political will and governments to sustain tends to keep the nation perpetually in and religious, economic, ethnic and secu- multi domain military capability for a com- and balance this new conflict, suppresses constructive criticism rity fault lines present an additional pros- prehensive punitive response to national and surpasses socio-economic responsibil- pect for creating another half front and security threats. It effectively showcased defence strategy and its ities. National defence is the most critical attendant insecurity to CPEC. Diplomatic its superior military capability and pro- facet but only one subset of national secu- isolation and economic sanctions includ- fessional acumen, creating incremental escalatory matrix, with rity and economic growth which must ing blacklisting by FATF and denial of IMF space for escalatory force application, also prosper. The real danger however lies loan to Pakistan by global community must irrespective of the professed low nuclear other facets of national in mixing national defence with politics, be orchestrated and calibrated by India. threshold fallacy of Pakistan. Indeed, it public emotion and vote banks, more so China and Saudi Arabia would be forced to has shed its self-imposed restraint of invio- strategic security and with 2019 being an election year. “Nation direct Pakistan to review its terror policy as lability of erstwhile sacred spaces, sanctity Above All” and not “Politics Above All” they cannot be a permanent fund provider. of minimum force application and dif- economic growth must define the strategic culture of the

www.spslandforces.com ferentiation between non-state and state world’s largest democracy. Continued on page 9...

4 SP’s Land Forces 2/2019

>> TECHNOLOGY Tactical Communications: Evolving Technology Integrated tactical communications systems are expected to be the key in military communications trends as technology makes ever-advanced capabilities possible

Photographs: University of Washington, Harris  By Lt General P.C. Katoch (Retd) At the third annual Intelligence & National Security Summit held in Washing- n the wake of speedy technologi- ton DC on September 7-8, 2016, the Prin- cal advancements, Command, Control, ciple Investigator for Materials and Technol- Communications, Computers, Infor- ogy Development in Additive Manufacturing mation and Intelligence, Surveillance at the US Army Research Laboratory (ARL), and Reconnaissance (C4I2SR) sys- raised the prospect of 3D printing playing Items provide sterling opportunities to the role in advancing biometric communica- defence and security establishment, acting tion. A 2008, $4 million research project as important force multiplier for command- on synthetic telepathy at Carnegie Mel- ers at all levels. As militaries vie to improve lon University, the University of Maryland their network centric warfare capabilities, and UC Irvine, researchers used a sensor communications remain vital in current to detect the brain’s electromagnetic pulses and future scenarios. Continuously evolv- and translate them into a base level of com- ing solutions for battlefield communica- munication, for being sent to another per- tions have come a long way over the years, son by TMS. 3D printing could advance this to the highly-advanced networks operating research by producing helmets embedded today. With secure communications being with EEG technology. Military would benefit crucial for military operations, commercial from such enhanced communications capa- and government entities are continuously bilities that would also be able to produce working to improve available solutions. such devices as needed in field, to augment supply or replace damaged unit(s). Research Tactical Communications Market to date on both 3D printing and synthetic According to Global Market Insights, Inc., telepathy is promising, but due to rigor- the global tactical communications mar- ous military manufacturing specifications, ket will value around $30 billion by 2024, 3D printing for military applications has growing at a CAGR of more than three largely been within the special operations per cent in 2017-2024. Replacement of community.­ outdated legacy systems is expected to drive market growth, while the report cites Quantum Communications (Top) Researchers use a sensor to detect the brain’s electromagnetic pulses and translate them into a technological advances like bone conduc- base level of communication, for being sent to another person by trans-cranial magnetic stimulation China crossed the communications fiction tion, ear canal equipment, and penetration (TMS), (Above) Harris CapRock is a major player in the field of VSAT service solutions. barrier by launching its Quantum Experi- of Long-Term Evolution (LTE) in profes- ments at Space Scale (QUESS) satellite on sional mobile radios as a defining force in extremely efficient military communica- and radio-VoIP gateways. The ICC-201 August 15, 2016. Quantum particles can the increased adoption of this equipment. tions, even under harsh conditions, or in Digital Intercom System has a key role on be transmitted over reasonable distances The trend for product miniaturisation is contested and/or congested environments. tactical Ethernet solutions since it is an IP on Earth, and, according to theory, much expected to transform tactical communica- XG Technology, ASELSAN and Per Vices etc based concept that enables the integration greater distances in space. Information tions market in coming years. Integrated are working to evolve cognitive radios to and deployment of hardly any operational encoded in a quantum particle is secure tactical communications systems are their next higher iteration. scenarios in a robust, compact and seam- against any computerised hacking because expected to be the key in military commu- less way. The system has a rugged server the information would be destroyed as soon nications trends as technology makes ever- Ethernet and VoIP (SR-201) dedicated to run specific costumer as it was measured. In fact, the only way to advanced capabilities possible. The evolution of tactical scenarios based on software applications, locally or through observe the photon is for it to interact with Ethernet networks is increasing the need Ethernet client/server connections, such as an electron or an electromagnetic field, both VSAT Networks to integrate digital voice over IP (VoIP), file battle management system, military mes- of which would cause the photon to deco- One of the most widely-used communications transfer, image and video transmission and sage handling system and VoIP Gatekeeper. here, or interfere with it in a way that would systems for battlefield operations is VSAT web based applications on the field. The dig- The server has a connection box (CL-201) only be apparent to the intended recipient networks. With small amount of on-site ital IP based ICC-201 intercom system and designed to allow the use of commercial in possession of the encryption key. The equipment required, VSAT networks enable PRC-525 tactical combat net radio comply devices such as keyboard, mouse, webcam, advantages that quantum communica- mobile, secure, real-time information relays with the aforementioned needs, improving etc, with four dedicated USB-A and two DB9 tions could provide to the military are clear; via satellite over commercial or government simultaneously the connectivity, interoper- RS232 standard connectors. decision-makers at headquarters would be frequencies, or combination of both. Satellite ability, flexibility and mobility. For example, able to swiftly give orders to soldiers in the antennas, modems, and other related equip- EID tactical network solutions bring to the 3D Printing and Synthetic Telepathy battlefield without fear of anyone hacking ment have become smaller, more lightweight, market a product line that the C4I costumer The concept of using 3D printing for com- the communications. Similarly, data from and more mobile, meeting ideal size, weight needs increasing the command, control munications, specifically for “brain-to-com- the field could be securely relayed back to and power (SWaP) requirements to satisfy and communications capability in a seam- puter” interfaces, or ‘synthetic telepathy’ are headquarters for analysis, without enemy military user demands. Inmarsat Global less way providing solutions to help deploy- emerging technologies post research in syn- interference. Government, ViaSat, Hughes Government ment of state-of-the-art IP-based tactical thetic telepathy by scientists over the years. A China’s QUESS satellite, enabling hack- Solutions, Harris CapRock and Newtec are networks, from simple wire to optical fibre US Army Research Office co-funded research proof quantum communications, was devel- all major players in the field of VSAT service Ethernet converters and vehicular power at the University of Washington which suc- oped by the Chinese Academy of Sciences solutions, providing increasingly-high speci- supplies to sophisticated rugged servers, cessfully demonstrated the use of one per- and the Austrian Academy of Sciences. Its fication offerings to an extremely competitive rugged router/switches, radio access points son’s brain signals to control the hand of main payload was Sagnac interferometer and fast-moving market. another person in 2014. Electroencephalog- that generates two entangled infrared photos Cognitive radios are another vital com- raphy (EEG) recorded the brain signals and by shining a UV laser on a non-linear optical ponent in military operations, enabling Decision-makers at trans-cranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) crystal. QUESS was designed to test quantum soldiers to securely communicate under headquarters would delivered those signals to the second subject’s communications capabilities between Earth all kinds of battlefield conditions. A step brain. Long-range synthetic telepathy could and space, and test quantum entanglement beyond software-defined radios (SDRs), cog- be able to swiftly give open up incredible new communications over unprecedented distances, during its nitive radios are sufficiently computation- options for soldiers in the field, with multiple two years of operation. While physicists had ally intelligent regarding radio resources orders to soldiers in the applications including for covert and Special successfully separated entangled photons by and computer-to-computer communica- Forces operations. The ability to communi- distances up to 300 km on Earth, because tions to detect and act on user needs. Most battlefield without fear cate via ‘thought’ would speed up decision- they scatter when they travel through opti- cognitive radios on the market today can making and action-taking, improving the cal fibres and are subject to atmospheric identify potential interference; path-loss, of anyone hacking the chance of mission success. It would also take turbulence when sent between telescopes, shadowing and multipath fading that some time for hostile groups to establish tech- it is challenging to send entangled photons might impair use of a particular frequency. communications nology capable of hacking these synthetic longer distances. In space, however, these

www.spslandforces.com These capabilities enable highly secure and telepathic communications, if possible at all. interferences are removed.

6 SP’s Land Forces 2/2019 >> INTERVIEW / TECHNOLOGY “Allowing soldiers to keep the same SDR radio which they have been trained on operating for many years, while still enhancing its features and modes of operation, is a tremendous benefit”

Software-Defined Radios (SDRs) by Harris are in use by Armies across the globe and have evolved over time with ever-increasing capabilities in each generation. Timothy Soine, Sr. Manager, Product Management, International Radio Products, Communication Systems, Harris Corporation, tells SP’s Land Forces about the various enhancements and developments in SDR.

Photograph: Harris SP’s Land Forces (SP’s): As one of the top waveforms, ECCM waveforms on our cur- of our FALCON IIITM Third-Generation leading OEMs in the areas of communica- rent generation of SDRs as well as migrat- SDR family of tactical radios. SDR technol- tions, how would you elaborate the capabili- ing to multi-channel hardware SDRs. ogy helps us to close gaps of interoperabil- ties of Software-Defined Radios (SDRs) by ity across our family of radios to support Harris about 10 years before vis-á-vis the cur- SP’s: Can you share some of the key bene- all areas of the battlefield. It also allows us rent versions? And if there will be any mega fits for the army personnel, with the usage to enhance the capabilities of our radios improvement in the features for future? of SDRs? through software and react quickly to sup- Timothy Soine (Timothy): In general, SDRs Timothy: The main benefit of using DRS s port the needs of our military customers as have evolved over time given the advance- is that armies’ personnel can be confident missions change and threats evolve. ments and modernization of the electrical that they will be able to purchase radios that components and technical designs of the will provide the communications capabili- SP’s: How do you see the role of SDR in tac- radios and waveforms, as well as to address ties required for their mission needs of today, tical communications revolutionizing tacti- the evolving communication needs of the but will also evolve and adapt over time as cal military communications? battlefield. Just 10 years ago, communi- their mission needs change, and adversarial Timothy: The most effective and sustain- cation was predominantly voice-centric, threats become more prevalent. This brings able method of enhancing military com- point-to-point and line-of-sight narrow- benefits across every aspect of how an SDR munications and closing gaps within a band communication. Previous generation operates, including continuing to improve the tactical communications architecture is SDR developments were primarily focused usability of the radios, enhancing the ease of through the software implementations of on extending communication range, intro- use, HMI improvements, and all other aspects new waveforms or applications. The role of ducing ECCM capabilities as jamming which are controlled by the software within SDR is critical to ensure that military com- threats started to surface, along with the the radio. Allowing soldiers to keep the same munications evolve fast enough to remain beginnings of providing position data dis- SDR radio which they have been trained on effective vs the emerging challenges that semination such as Blue-Force Tracking operating for many years, while still enhanc- warfighters face today and will face into (BFT) on the battlefield. Given the SDR ing its features and modes of operation, is a the future. nature of our FALCON tactical radio fam- tremendous benefit for Army Personnel to ily, Harris was able to continue to advance make sure they are comfortable with their SP’s: Please advise if there is a direct or the capabilities of our radios through soft- communications for their operations. indirect connect of SDR with Revolution in ware updates, without the need for our key Military Affairs (RMA) in your view? military customers to require major invest- SP’s: How long has the SDR technology Timothy: RMA has come about due to the ments into new radio hardware. been used in tactical radios and how has advancement in the microprocessor and Harris’ Falcon line of radios have had Harris employed this technology? Can you chip technology, this has resulted in war- several generations of these SDRs that have elaborate on the USP (unique selling point) fare moving from being tri-dimensional provided upgraded hardware, with ever- and key features of the same? to penta- dimensional fueling a shift from increasing capabilities in each generation. Timothy: Harris’ first DRS , the RF-5000, being platform centric to network centric. Harris is currently focused on releasing was released back in 1986 and we have con- SDR is driving network centricity to new improvements in our narrowband net- tinued to develop and deploy generations of heights resulting in optimum and timely working waveforms, wideband networking SDRs since. We are now in full production exploitation of resources. SP

To test whether quantum communica- On September 29, 2017, China con- lite itself. One solution is to send up more security, quantum communications are tions could provide a viable, global com- ducted two successful quantum commu- satellites to form a global satellite network bound to grow but phones or laptops munications option, a number of quantum nications experiments; one, long-distance but if different institutions contribute to matching this technology are unlikely to communications transmissions will take quantum communication landline call the network, software protocols and trust proliferate soon. Presently, these devices are place between QUESS and various Earth sta- connecting Beijing with coastal city of would remain problematic. still quite expensive and quite ‘big’. Even- tions, including the Xinjiang Astronomical Shanghai over a distance of more than There is also a limitation on bandwidth. tually, it may be possible to make one that Observatory in western China, the Xinglong 1,920 km, and; two, Pan’s former doctoral Presently, only about one in six million pho- can fit on a chip and stick one in every com- Observatory in Yanshan, and, eventually, a advisor Anton Zeilinger received a video tons sent by the satellite reach the ground puter. However, significant technological site in Vienna. QUESS will also quantum tele- call in Vienna (Austria) from his colleagues receiver. Besides, use of the system by day advances would be required. As the practi- port a photon state from the Ali Observatory in China. This was no ordinary Skype chat is not possible due brightness of the sun cality of the technology becomes more and in Tibet to the satellite. According to Jianwei but the first quantum-encrypted video call, overwhelming the already dim signal of more apparent, competition is heating up Pan, QUESS’s Chief Scientist at the University made possible by the Chinese quantum the satellite. Bandwidth also depends on among nations to take the next step. of Science and Technology of China, the abil- communication satellite called ‘Micius’. the number of entangled photons the sat- ity of the ground stations to perfectly track Despite these Chinese milestones, there is ellite can generate and store. Presently, the Conclusion the satellite, which is travelling at 8km/s, is still much room for improvement in the top speed for Micius is just a few kilobytes Tactical and battlefield communications are a major challenge. He said, “It’s very chal- technology. For instance, since a quan- per second; enough for transmitting a few improving rapidly. The new generation of lenging to create a perfect quantum chan- tum satellite needs line-of-sight to trans- quantum keys between two science teams, high throughout satellites (HTS) are mak- nel between the satellite and the ground sta- fer data, communication coverage by the but hardly enough for millions of internet ing it increasingly affordable for militaries to tion. We have developed a high frequency satellite is very limited; it has to fly directly users to simultaneously encrypt sensitive optimize satellite communications options. and high-accuracy acquiring, pointing and over the user. A satellite with a higher orbit transactions. The Beijing-Shanghai quan- Cognitive radios, synthetic telepathy and tracking technique to do that.” China plans to can increase its coverage, but will demand tum link is a little bit faster than Micius, but quantum communications are now the launch a number of similar satellites to form a higher location tracking accuracy from essentially still in the same range. buzzwords. India needs a lot of focused R&D quantum communications network by 2030. both the ground receivers and the satel- With increasing concerns about cyber and catching up to do. SP

2/2019 SP’s Land Forces 7 >> MODERNISATION Indian Army’s Tactical Communications Programme

Army’s Tactical Communication System (TCS), which should have been fielded in year 2000 was expected to kick-start in 2017 has been meandering till date

illustration: Anoop Kamath  By Lt General P.C. Katoch (Retd)

he bane of modernisation of the Indian Army has been that technological developments in IT and communications far outpace existing procurement processes. TThe exceptionally long gestation periods of projects risk obsolescence and delay mod- ernization. Further, longer time required to develop security algorithms and obtain Scientific Analysis Group’s approval add to the problem. There has always been urgent need to evolve separate procure- ment procedure for information systems (IS) and communications, ensuring faster induction without compromising transpar- ency and cost-effectiveness. Robustness of transmission, adequate bandwidth, media redundancy and efficient routing are vital for network centricity. However, this has not been possible because of the lackadai- sical attitude of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) manned exclusively by bureaucrats; sans military professionals. But now another factor of severe bud- getary constraints has been added; five suc- Indian Army plans to induct seven TCS systems for plains and desert areas at a cost of $4 billion over the next 10 years cessive defence budgets allotted under the current government have been negative in actual terms. This has adversely affected the under Make (High-Tech Systems) and Make new operating channel/ACH reduces the Tactical Command, Control and Commu- Army’s quest for acquiring network centric (Strategic, Complex and Security Sensitive channel scanning and selection latency nications Systems (TCCCS) developed by capabilities. The Army informed Parlia- Systems), since private sector participa- by ordering available channels using link CDC Systems of UK, America’s JTRS and ment’s Standing Committee for Defence in tion is allowed in the former category and quality indicator measurements and math- Contact program of France, all have les- 2018 that it has been constrained to shut not latter, and classifying it as former cat- ematical weights. Plenty of research on the sons for us including how these countries down a number of ongoing projects. Those egory was attributed to the secrecy of the hopping algorithms is being done interna- have optimized participation and contri- remaining are going slow. Army’s Battle- “frequency hopping algorithm” contained tionally in the public domain and details bution of private sector, use of commer- field Management System (BMS), part of in a tiny microchip. The frequency hopping such as configuring the program are coun- cial off the shelf (COTS), time bound clo- the Tactical Command, Control, Commu- algorithm provides anti-jamming and elec- try specific. sure of procurement procedures keeping nications and Information (Tac C³I) system tronic countermeasures (ECM) function- In 2014, there was news about Tata Con- in mind criticality of the project and elec- was foreclosed in 2018 because of lack of ality. Tactical communications networks sultancy Services (TCS) having assisted the tronics manufacturing, and IT delivery budgetary support, although it was being need to be multi-hop wire-less networks in Army replace its legacy messaging system self-sufficiency. pursued past 13 years. Closure of BMS has which switches and end points are mobile with an automated messaging system; a mes- According to media reports of 2016, also deprived networking of Army’s ongo- nodes. In a tactical environment, system saging system that relays secured informa- quoting a senior MoD official who spoke ing F-INSAS (Future Infantry Soldier As a performance degraded when switching tion from one user to another, using the con- on condition of anonymity, the govern- System) programme, adversely affects the nodes or communication links fail to oper- cept of mobile nodes which can be deployed ment was all set to award a project under Tac C³I project and even networking capac- ate, narrow band electronic jamming is in far-flung locations including in disaster the ‘Make in India’ category for a TCS for ity of Special Forces when operating deep widespread and bandwidth is at premium. relief situations with highly secure system the army in early 2017. Under the pro- behind enemy lines. Fast and adaptive algorithms for perfor- having multiple levels of security incorpo- gram, two indigenous domestic develop- Army’s Tactical Communication Sys- mance analysis are desirable for optimising rating Fortiora Suite of security products. ment agency (DA) consortiums will be tem (TCS), which should have been fielded the network. Further, tactical networks But this is only a small part of upgrading awarded contracts to build one TCS proto- in year 2000 was expected to kick-start in commonly use pre-emptive algorithms networked communications, which form the type each at a cost of $150 million in 18 2017 has been meandering through red to achieve low blocking probabilities for backbone of an effective command and con- months. The government would provide tape. In 1996, the existing Plan Army Radio high-priority connections when the loss trol system though some modern frequency 80 per cent of the funding for the proto- Engineering Network (AREN) system, ear- of equipment or electronic warfare in the hopping radio sets with integral encryption type developments. MoD had reportedly lier designed as the backbone of army’s battlefield is considerable. Under unfavour- have been introduced into service in recent shortlisted the DPSU Bharat Electron- communication that was designed to roll able conditions, Adaptive Channel Hopping years. Also, as the alternative to the surren- ics Limited (BEL), and private sector firm forward, came up for urgent review having (ACH) algorithm lets sensors switch to a dered 3G spectrum by the military, the new Larsen & Toubro (L&T) was set to team become outdated. The TCS was born out of optical fibre cable (OFC) network being laid with Tata Power SED and HCL Technolo- realization that AREN had to be replaced will provide modern landline communica- gies to build a TCS prototype. Each TCS and an upgrade would not be sufficient, Under the programme, tions in peace stations and to limited extent prototype will include a transmission sys- as was envisaged earlier especially since in the Tactical Battle Area (TBA). However, tem; a field wireless system based on 4G legacy radio systems were not designed to two indigenous domestic this by no means compensates for the TCS long-term evaluation technology; routing connect to broad-reaching IP-based net- development agency being static communications. and switching systems; multiple mobile- works. The extraordinary delay of over a The TCS is vital for operational pre- platform engineering systems; a network decade-and-a-half in TCS was on account (DA) consortiums will be paredness and force multiplication management system; and a security sub- of excessive ‘red tape’ befitting a case study, endeavour. Decisive victory in future con- system. The Defence Research and Devel- in that the TCS had been approved thrice awarded contracts to build flicts will be difficult to achieve without opment Organisation’s (DRDO) Centre for by the Defence Ministers but every time the robust and survivable communications, Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR) whole case was worked afresh after clos- one TCS prototype each at both in the strategic and tactical d omain. is reportedly developing a homemade ing the previous case file – an extreme in We should learn from the TCS in foreign security solution albeit CAIR does not red tape-ism and lackadaisical approach to a cost of $150 million in militaries as to how they have tackled the have the capacity to develop security solu- vital issues. challenges of spectrum, bandwidth, laws tions itself and will probably outsourcing Since 2002, the MoD had been vacil- 18 months of physics, etc. British Win-T programme the same to laboratories of a DPSU, as has

www.spslandforces.com lating on categorisation of the TCS project developed by BAE Systems, Canada’s been the practice in the past.

8 SP’s Land Forces 2/2019 >> MODERNISATION / security

Photograph: US DoD The Army plans to induct seven TCS Decisive victory in future systems for plains and desert areas at a cost of $4 billion over the next 10 years. Once conflicts will be difficult the two prototypes are handed over to the Indian Army, they will undergo technical to achieve without evaluation, be tested on the ground and then shortlisted for production. Once a robust and survivable plain- and desert-friendly TCS is inducted, the army will place an additional order communications, both in of seven mountain-friendly TCS systems. According to an army official, the two the strategic and tactical selected DAs will need to tie up with over- domain seas defence companies to build Indian Army-specific 100 Mbps (megabits per sec- ond) transmission systems, in addition to other critical systems, while the rest of the lites; based on lightweight high mobility systems they can build on their own. Also vehicles which will form highly mobile the two DAs must be able to upgrade the communication nodes connected as a fast-changing military communication grid; largely based on tested COTS technol- technologies for the TCS. ogies; high bandwidth with voice, video Since the TCS will be a dedicated stra- and data; high capacity point-to-point tegic project, the army wants to eventu- radio backbone with multiple redundan- ally sanitise the technologies built into cies; high capacity point-to-multipoint the prototype and the final system. It is wireless access at the user end; robust not clear to the DAs how the army will and survivable trunk and access radios; sanitize each of the technologies, either redundancy and scalability based on sat- homegrown or imported, that will be ellites; inbuilt protection against cyber incorporated in the TCS prototypes. But and electronic attacks using firewalls such sanitization by the army will lead There can be no victory in future battles without secure and survivable communications and frequency hopping spread spectrum to direct interference in the developed techniques; encryption and multi-level TCS prototype. This may create problems off the import duty in the case of BEL, but back. Even then it had been reported that: network security; real-time management especially where technologies are being the private sector DA has been asked to BEL and the consortium of L&T, Tata Power of spectrum; integration with legacy sys- imported. DAs will also have to get under- pay import duty on the products that they SED and HCL had reportedly been selected tems, strategic networks, national com- takings from original equipment manu- import for the TCS prototype, which the by the government for developing the pro- munication systems; effective interoper- facturers (OEMs) for unrestricted use of latter consider highly unfair. totype of the TCS; the government will pay ability within the army and other services the imported technologies. Additionally, But there has been no news over the 80 per cent of the development cost while during joint operations; lightweight user the MoD wants to retain the intellectual past two years; whether the DAs have been 20 per cent will be funded by the industry, terminals; and finally effective integration property rights of the systems, but the pri- developed or not; there appears to be no and for TCS, both the selected parties will of all Operational Information Systems. vate sector DA is demanding that it should urgency. The news in end 2016 of MoD make the prototype system and the best But going by present indications it is dif- be vested. Then there is also the grudge by choosing two DAs and likely to award the bidder will then execute the whole project. ficult to gauge whether the Army will be private sector DAs of government grant- TCS as ‘Make in India’ project for develop- The TCS is to have a new generation able to successfully field the seven TCS ing special favour to BEL in developing ing TCS prototypes is exact duplication of meshed network exploiting the growth in Systems it wants, after due trials, within the prototype for TCS; MoD has waived what had been reported more than a year microprocessor, radio, mobility and satel- the next decade and a half. SP

Pulwama to Balakot... continued from page 4

India’s aim must be to cripple Pakistan’s exclusive in their genesis and treatment. process of good governance with central- and will continue to grow in the future fragile economy till it takes verifiable and Thus, eradication of one may act as a cata- ity of youth being the primary stake hold- as well. Certainly, China cannot allow its concrete actions against home grown ter- lyst but not necessarily change the narra- ers. The process of counter-radicalisation economic interests by way of its signature rorist organisations. The present situation tive of the other. Stymieing proxy war is to must begin with detoxification of educa- project CPEC to fail, nor can it see threats thus presents an opportunity for the world do with denying both physical and cogni- tional system, clamp down of terror fund- to its CPEC workers or internally allowing to reform or perish this rogue nation. tive space to Pakistan and their revision- ing, terminating political ambivalence and Xinjiang to boil by antagonising Pakistan Internally Pakistan needs to reflect ist ideology of Fractured India. However, restoring the demography of the state. It terror outfits. It cannot also fathom India’s on its vision, its ways and means to be the main challenge for India lies in the may be a tall order and time consuming rise and global recognition especially in the “Naya Pakistan”. It must decide that addressing the internal dimension while but realities cannot be pushed under the the Indo Pacific and as such encourages either it becomes a mature and respected denying space for the external dimen- carpet. We need to recognise that Kash- Pakistan’s pugnacity against India. China democratic entity with a thriving economy sion. Kashmir needs a new narrative and mir needs a radically new narrative that also see’s Afghanistan through the lens of or it continues to dig its own grave into a bold policies complementing the kinetic may finally involve revoking Article 370 Pakistan, especially the new great game to debilitating contradiction of its internal measures. Kashmir cannot be seen pre- and 35A to fully integrate it with India. dominate the geostrategic and economic and external conflict. It must address its dominantly as counter terrorism through The Indian constitution and a Presiden- space post US withdrawal. Thus, China’s chronic insecurities, revisionist culture and a security lens, ignoring the larger chal- tial decree allows for the same provided we military might, expanding economic inter- grand ideological ambitions that generate lenge of insurgency without addressing exhibit the same strong political will, hard ests, geographical proximity cum bound- high level of conflict for itself, the region the apprehensions and distrust in the cog- decision making and whole of the nation ary disputes, and assertive policies pose and the world. Its trajectory cannot be nitive domain. The problem in Kashmir is approach as exhibited for Balakot. challenges to India’s security and global based on these revisionist policies which to do with lack of integration in J&K and interests. It is now time to review India’s threatens the very existence of its own integration of people in One India ideol- Myth No. 3: Wuhan Bonhomie has traditionally deferential policy towards state. It’s time to for Pakistan as a nation to ogy. The psychological barriers of Banihal Mellowed Pak - China Tango China through a realistic and larger prism question the present narrative and change and Zojila must dilute the geographical The reality is that in the world of geopolitics of strategic alignment to contain Chinese the fundamentals. The people of Pakistan perceptions while enhancing the demo- there are no permanent friends or enemies hegemonic growth. Let realpolitik com- must empower themselves and become graphic expanse. The elimination of ter- but only national interests. China’s foreign municate to China that Wuhan bonhomie the Center of Gravity of Naya Pakistan. In rorist must be complimented with the policy stances are inherently contextual and dragon backstabbing cannot go hand the meantime, India must not loosen the perception management and the arduous and long term interest-driven, rather than in hand. Indeed Pak-China tango will con- noose. Pakistan has to be tackled on mul- by adherence to principles. So, was the drag- tinue to be on the front stage of global geo- tiple platforms by India and the world play- on’s journey from Dhoklam to Pulwama to politics while the Chinese checker will con- ers, comprehensively through a “Strategy It is now time to review Balakot and beyond. Chinese incremental tinue to keep India engaged. In turn India’s of Compellence” by military humiliation, prodding at Dhoklam, India’s perceived Chanakya Niti must checkmate the strat- diplomatic coercion and economic strangu- India’s traditionally “China Reset” at Wuhan and the reality of egy of Sun Tzu. lation. It may be a long wait but the oppor- deferential policy backstabbing by Chinese “Pakistan Pre-set” History presents an opportunity to tunity to stymie Pakistan abetted proxy war at UNSC on designating Masoor Azar as a India, Pakistan and the world. It must not by a comprehensive national strategy by towards China through a global terrorist are stark realities. Pakistan be lost. The proxy war must end once for India is now or never. is certainly far more strategically important all. Peace, tranquillity and prosperity for realistic and larger prism than a competing India for China. Chinese all must prevail in the subcontinent. Kash- Myth No. 2: Curbing Pak Proxy War great wall will always block international mir must indeed become Jannat-e-Kashmir will Change the Narrative of J&K of strategic alignment isolation of Pakistan for preservation of for India and be fully integrated as J&K in The reality is that there is a problem of its national interests. India needs to realise India, as have other states of the Union. In Kashmir which has an external dimen- to contain Chinese the limits of its relationship with China and the meantime, the nation must be patient, sion and a problem in Kashmir which has recalibrate its China narrative. The Chinese united and ready to sacrifice temporary an internal dimension. Both these dimen- hegemonic growth technical hold in the UNSC committees calm for lasting peace. Is it a dream or a sions are conveniently harmonious yet shows that China-Pakistan nexus is strong reality? Only time will tell. SP

2/2019 SP’s Land Forces 9 >> ELECTRO OPTICS Electro-Optical Devices for Image Enhancing

Integration of thermal and laser imagery with electro-optic systems is the way ahead for effective surveillance solutions by day and night in all weather conditions

Photographs: Trijicon, BAE Systems  Lt General Naresh Chand (Retd) are designed to be used with the “Bindon Aiming Concept”, an aiming technique ince the advent of warfare, developed by Trijicon founder and optical a soldier’s quest for aids which designer Glyn Bindon. The technique essen- could enable him to see at lon- tially uses the illuminated part of the reticle ger ranges with more clarity in and its focusing rear eyepiece as a colli- adverse weather conditions and mator sight. It is a combat proven system Sby night, has been never ending. Such aids which can with stand recoil from a .22LR would improve his surveillance, reconnais- (.22 Long Rifle) to a .50BMG (.50 Browning sance, intelligence gathering and accurate Machine Gun cartridge). targeting. It would also lead to better situ- Variants include ACOG®/RMR® Com- ational awareness. The first aid to enter bofor CQB and Long Distance engagement;, this quest was a variety of binoculars RMR®Type 2 LED; Type 2 Adjustable LED or and telescopes based on pure optics and RMR® Dual-Illuminated sight are designed laws of light. This was followed by electro- for quick target acquisitionand accuracy. optics where ‘electro’ component changed The Trijicon RMR is extremely versatile as a the optical properties of the medium. This primary optic on handguns, rifles, carbines change not only involved the refractive and shotguns.When paired with a magni- index but also in birefringence which put fied optic, the RMR is an excellent solution across simply is the optical property of as a secondary CQB optic, and as a backup a material having a refractive index that sight. The Trijicon VCOG (Variable Com- depends on the polarization and direction bat Optical Gunsight) is a rugged variable of light resulting in double refraction. In powered riflescope with an LED illuminated other words electro-optical devices enhance first focal plane BDC reticle. The VCOG is the image and thus the raison d’être for designed for extreme durability and features multiple applications for the armed forces, superior glass quality. The magnification medical and commercial devices. The trend range accommodates CQB and long dis- is to integrate other devices like thermal tance marksmanship. It has MIL-spec grade images and laser sensors to make it an all- optic, robust enough for any application. weather, day and night system with elec- tro-optical systems for better image resolu- LEONARDO DRS tion. Laser applications include Laser radar They along with the US Army are work- called Ladar (Laser detection and ranging), ing on two programmes to counter the laser range finder (LRF) and a laser pointer. adverse effects of night operations. They are the new Enhanced Night Vision Goggle III BAE SYSTEMS (ENVG III) and the Family of Weapon Sights Opto-Electronic Tracking System (OETS) – Individual (FWS-I) which aim at creating This system can detect and track targets oth- enhanced capability for infantry soldiers erwise hidden in low contrast clouds or dark- called Rapid Target Acquisition. ness. The OETS is a combination of video, thermal and laser sensors mounted on a Improved Bradley Acquisition System small ruggedized, transportable pedestal (or (IBAS) integrated into the customer’s larger ped- (Top) Trijicon Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight (ACOG), It provides the war fighter with a significant (Above) BAE Systems Opto-Electronic Tracking System (OETS). estal), all controlled by an integrated video’ improvement over the original TOW 2 tar- tracker. The standard configuration includes Detection Range is 5 km and Data Precisio- a range of up to 5 km with an accuracy of geting system that was used on the earlier a modular control and display assembly nis 17 Bit. ±5m rms. DMS has an accuracy of 1 ° rms. Bradley Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicle that can be integrated into a larger system. (AIFV).The IBAS consists of a Second Gen- Typical sensors include long-range thermal ASELSAN TRIJICON ACOG® eration Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR); camera, high-resolution video camera with Explorer Hand Held Electro-Optic The Trijicon Advanced Combat Optical a day television camera, a TOW (Tube zoom lens, and Class 1M eye-safe laser range Sensor System Gunsight (ACOG) is a fixed power, compact launched optically tracked wire guided) finder for generating three dimensional posi- EXPLORER is designed to meet tactical needs riflescope with an illuminated reticule pat- tracker for the BGM-71 missile; direct view tion data. The tracker processor includes a of a modern army by allowing long range tern for use in bright to low/no light. The optics, a dual target tracker, an eye safe software track loop for local pedestal control threat detection, identification, determin- ACOG is designed to be extremely durable LRF and a dual axis stabilized head mirror and positioning data for slaved pedestals. ing of coordinates and coordination of sup- and reliable. It combines traditional, precise assembly. These advancements improve the OETS has also been integrated into an air port fire via communication units. Due to its distance marksmanship with Close Quarter Bradley’s capability to defeat the heaviest defense system. light weight and hand held nature, it is easy Battle (CQB) speed. Many variants include a armoured vehicles and to destroy fortified to carry it whenever necessary. EXPLORER bullet drop compensated (BDC) reticle. Every fighting positions at safer distances than Mobile Opto-Electronic Tracking provides the state-of-the-art electro-optical feature of its design was chosen for with the before.The dual target tracker improves the System (MOETS) capabilities which include a high resolu- aim of providing increased hit potential lethality of the Bradley and enhances the MOETS is designed to provide test range tion uncooled thermal imager, laser range in all lighting conditions. It is available in on-the-move performance of the 25 mm instrumentation for optically acquiring and finder(LRF), digital magnetic compass (DMS), 12 models ranging from 1.5x16S to 6x48 main gun.It can identify and fire on targets tracking powered and ballistic projectiles for global positioning system and laser pointer. where the first figure indicates the mag- from an even greater distance there by keep- real-time viewing and recording video for It is ideally suited for carrying out Border nification and the second figure indicates ing warfighters out of the danger zone. post mission analysis.The standard MOETS Surveillance; Reconnaissance; Situational the diameter of the objective (front) lens in consists of two local systems and a remote Awareness and Special Forces. Its main fea- milli-metres which is important because it Drivers Vision Enhancer (DVE) console The local system is a truck-mounted tures are High resolution long-wave sen- controls how much light the scope can let The DVE Display Control Module (DCM) is a operations shelter with console, associated sor; Integrated LRF, Laser Pointer, DMC and in, and ultimately transmit to your eye. 10.4-inch liquid-crystal display (LCD), with electronics and a trailer mounted pedestal. GPS; Automatic image optimization and Most ACOG® models feature a tritium/ 800 x 600 pixel resolution, offers the best in The remote system enables a single opera- image enhancement; coordinates of target fibre optic illuminated reticle that auto- class lightweight and vehicle mounted, the tor to remotely control or override two calculated in real time and high resolution matically adjusts the brightness based on DVE DCM provides situational awareness in local units.Data Links between the remote OLED display. Its main technical features available light thus can operate without a a compact form factor with operation dur- console and the local consoles to provide are:Thermal Imager’sDetector has 640 x 480 battery. The ACOG® can be used as a Close ing night, low light, day light conditions. data, video, and voice transmissions. The LWIR (8-12 μm), Optical Magnification is Quarter Battle (CQB) sight when shooting User controls and input/output ports deliver minimum target range is>15 km in stan- x2.5; Field of View is 10.3° x 7.7°; LRF has a with “both eyes open,” utilising the Bin- an optimal solution which can operate from

www.spslandforces.com dard clear atmosphere, High Speed Camera wavelength is Class 1, Eye safe, 1.54 μm with don Aiming Concept. Several ACOG models sea level to 15,000 feet and can remain sub-

10 SP’s Land Forces 2/2019 >> ELECTRO OPTICS / APPOINTMENT

mersed in one metre of water up to 10 min- FLIR military and law enforcement personnel utes. There are other versions also available. Mid-Range Pan/Tilt Multi-Sensor The Trijicon RMR is safe, provide force protection by discover- The FLIR Ranger® MS-UC DefendIR is an extremely versatile ing hidden landmines, IEDs, and barri- Enhanced Night Vision Goggle III industry-leading mid-range thermal imager caded combatants. Also used for Humani- (ENVG III) and the Family of Weapon that can see in complete darkness and through as a primary optic on tarian mine clearance. For carrying out Sights – Individual (FWS-I) a multitude of environmental conditions, these tasks L3 applies innovative radar- Some of the most difficult combat occurs including smoke, rain, snow, dust, and dense handguns, rifles, carbines based threat detection technologies. Hand during night operations. Leonardo DRS fog. The Ranger DefendIR is ideally suited for held ‘Through Wall Radar’ is one such along with the US Army is working on two day and night perimeter security, maritime and shotguns.When paired technology which can rapidly ascertain programmes to counter the adverse effects of surveillance, and home land security. the presence of personnel on the oppo- night operations. They are the new Enhanced with a magnified optic, site side of walls and barriers. This tech- Night Vision Goggle III (ENVG III) and the Mid-Range Pan/Tilt Multi-Sensor with nology is designed to provide immediate Family of Weapon Sights – Individual (FWS- Spotlight the RMR is an excellent situational awareness for troops in urban I) which aim at creating enhanced capabil- The Ranger MS-UC EnforcIR™ is built on the solution as a secondary environments. ity for infantry soldiers called Rapid Target capabilities of the DefendIR™. Along with Acquisition. The devices are connected wire- a daylight/low-light CCD camera and an CQB optic, and as a FUTURE ELECTRO OPTICAL lessly enabling soldiers see their weapon sight uncooled VOx thermal imager, the Ranger TECHNOLOGIES image and crosshairs aligned with what they MS-UC EnforcIR adds a high power spotlight backup sight Numerous technologies are being are seeing in their night vision goggles. to detect, deter, and temporarily disorient researched and developed for improving all intruders. Its 12 million candlepower spot- sub components of Electro-optical Systems. CONTROP PRECISION TECHNOLOGIES light can illuminate trespassers within a mal imager’s waveband is 3 - 5 μm (cooled) Brief details of a few of these technologies On February 20, 2019 they announced one-mile radius which is ideal for perimeter and visible colour channel FOV is 3° x are given below. that it will supply Bharat Electronics Ltd. security, border surveillance, crowd control, 2.25°. Apart from other capabilities it has (BEL) with EO/IR systems for the Indian deterrence, and SAR operations. Stabilization, Digital zoom, Image fusion Synthetic aperture Ladar (Laser Armed Forces. and Local contrast enhancement. They are Detection & Ranging) ThermoVision™ (THV) 3000 ideal for both military and security applica- This a natural outflow of synthetic aper- Modular Medium Range EO/IR This system detects and classifies illegal tions, including infantry, special forces, for- ture radar (SAR) which provides high res- Observation System (MEOS) activities and threats in total darkness, ward observers, border and coastal patrols. olution radar images in all weather con- The MEOS-450 is an advanced, wide area, smoke, sand haze, and broad daylight condi- Apart from the above they also have TIPS, ditions from remote distances. Synthetic passive, real time, modular 24/7 Electro- tions. The thermal camera is equipped with a thermal observation pocket scope; BIG25, Aperture Ladar (SAL) system operates at Optical observation system with Panoramic a long-wave, cooled Quantum Well Infra- light amplification night vision binoculars infrared wavelengths, which are ten thou- Scan and optional automatic moving object red Photodetector (QWIP) and switchable and PRLF, a family of pocket laser range- sand times smaller radar wave lengths detection capability. Its main features are optics offering three different fields of view. finders. and has a potential for vastly improved two optional Cooled Thermal Imaging (TI) It provides excellent situational awareness resolution. Cameras with High Resolution Cooled TI while also closely monitoring suspect activi- Border protection Camera with Continuous Optical Zoom lens; ties in real-time. Ideal applications include Safran provides a wide range of optronic Multiple-input, multiple-output two optional Day Cameras – Long Range perimeter security, border and coastal sur- solutions for border protection and critical (MIMO) Imaging or Super Long Range and Eyesafe LRF for veillance, force protection, and mid-range infrastructure and sensitive site defense. Multiple radiating elements transmit mul- 10Km or 20Km (Optional).It has high accu- threat detection. TEOS™ and SAPS detection and recon- tiple independent waveforms to improve the racy P&T(Pan &Tilt) with automatic level- naissance systems are flexible and can be performance of synthetic aperture imaging ling; also P&T Gyro-stabilization (Optional). SAFRAN installed on vehicles or permanent stations systems.Thus when coupled with SAL it will Safran Electronics & Defense offers portable in mobile or network mode. High-perfor- improve the image manifold. Modular Long Range EO/IR optronic devices to carry out observation, mance imagers and optronic sensors (ther- Observation System identification, and location homeland secu- mal camera, infrared detector, laser range- Speckle imaging The MEOS-720/1200 is an advanced, wide rity missions. finder etc.), provide an optimum observation This technology is used for a range of high- area, passive, real time, modular 24/7 range of up to 25 km day and night. resolution astronomical imaging which Electro-Optical super long range observa- JIM UC/Protector/Sentinel, medium- can dramatically increase the resolution of tion system with Panoramic Scan and auto- range multi-function infrared L3 SECURITY AND DETECTION ground-based telescopes but are limited to matic moving object detection capability binoculars SYSTEMS bright targets. The same technology is being (Optional).It has features similar to MEOS It weighs< 2.8 kgfor JIM LR / HR version L3 provides improved operational effi- applied to improve the resolution of images -450 but with longer range. and < 2.5 kgfor JIM Observe version. Ther- ciency with technologies that also keep of Electro-optical systems. SP

Trijicon, Announces the Promotion of Charles ‘Chuck’ Wahr to Global Vice President of Sales & Marketing

rijicon, Inc., global provid- known consumer brand companies includ- ability to drive change and results make this Wahr earned his MBA from Rensselaer er of innovative aiming solutions ing Black & Decker/Dewalt, Newell-Rubber- role a great fit for him.” Polytechnic Institute and graduated with a for the hunting, shooting, military maid & Overhead Door. Addressing his newly appointed posi- Bachelor of Science degree from the Univer- and law enforcement markets is “Chuck’s expanded role as Global Vice tion, Wahr stated, “I am honored to lead the sity of Oregon. Additionally, Chuck proudly pleased to announce the promo- President will allow him to bring his wealth Global Sales and Marketing teams for Triji- served in the US Army Infantry Division Ttion of Chuck Wahr to Global Vice President of experience and strategic thought to con. Our commitment to success and inno- from 1987 to 1991 and completed his of Sales and Marketing. Chuck joined Triji- another area of the business,” said Stephen vation is well documented and I look forward career as a Staff Sergeant following Opera- con in January 2015 as Vice President Sales Bindon, Trijicon’s President and CEO. “His to continuing to build on our strengths.” tion Desert Storm. and Marketing. Since that time, he has been Photographs: Trijicon Growing up in Western Michigan, instrumental in the company’s sales growth Chuck became an avid hunter, trapper and and strategic marketing initiatives. In this fisherman, and is still a passionate out- new role, Wahr will continue to have over- doorsman today. sight of the commercial sales and marketing Trijicon, Inc. has led the industry in the organizations, and will add oversight for development of superior any-light aiming Trijicon’s Business Development teams. The systems since the company’s founding in Business Develop teams call on our domestic 1981. Incorporating nearly four decades of military organizations, government agen- innovation, Trijicon’s riflescopes and sights cies, international military/LE agencies and are the most advanced aiming systems international commercial sales. available today. SP Chuck’s successful career spans over 20 years with leadership roles in several well- Sniper-IR and VCOG (Variable Combat Optical Gunsight) from Trijicon —By SP’s Correspondent

2/2019 SP’s Land Forces 11 >> SMALL ARMS The Gold Standard for Small Arms SP’s Land Forces’ Vishal Thapar profiles some of the world’s most iconic military rifles, and also takes a peek into the Indian Army’s new Infantry weapons

Photographs: US DoD, moderfirearms.net, Kalashnikov, PEO Soldier, Wikipedia, Colt

HK416/M27 Assault Rifle M4 Carbine Arguably the best assault rifle in the world, the Heckler and Koch 416 is famous as the The replacement for the venerable M16, a lighter and shorter variant, and hence called a weapon with which Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was killed in 2011. It looks similar to carbine. It was accepted by the US Army in 1994, and used in many theatres. Originally the American M4, but unlike the latter’s direct impingement system, uses a short-stroke gas developed by Colt for the UAE. piston action which keeps it cooler and requires less cleaning. It can fire around 900 NATO Like the M16A2, the M4 carbine fires the 5.56 mm round from a thirty-round magazine 5.56 mm rounds per minute. and has both semiautomatic and three-round-burst modes. Recently, the US Army decided The HK416 is designated the M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle for the US Marine Corps to upgrade the gun to the M4A1 standard. It can be equipped with the M203 and M320 Infantry. grenade launchers. Design company & country of origin: Heckler and Koch - Germany Original design company & country of origin: Colt - USA First used: 2004 First used: 1994

SA80 Assault Rifle AS50 Sniper Rifle One of the most reliable rifles in the world and the standard issue weapon for the British Widely acknowledged as one of the world’s best sniper and anti-material rifles, this was Army, Navy, and Air Force. A bullpup-configuration weapon with its magazine positioned specially designed for the British armed forces and the US Navy Seals. the AS50 has an behind the trigger, it makes the weapon compact and easier to wield in urban warfare. It effective kill range of 1.5 km, is light weight and can be assembled in less than 3 minutes. fires a 5.56 mm round and can use the same magazine as theA merican M4. Later variants This .50 BMG rifle can fire 5 rounds in under 2 seconds and deliver explosive or incendiary have been upgraded by Heckler and Koch. ammunition with pinpoint accuracy. Design company & country of origin: Royal Small Arms Factory - United Kingdom Design company & country of origin: Accuracy International - United Kingdom First Used: 1985 First used: 2007

AK-74M Assault Rifle: TrackingPoint ‘Smart Rifles’ The AK-74M replaced the legendary AK-47 as the standard issue rifle for the Russian land Whilst TrackingPoint does not produce its own firearm, it promises to usher in the era of forces. The AK-74M uses the smaller and lighter 5.45 mm ammunition as compared to the ‘Smart Rifles’. The American company has developed the world’s first precision guided fire- 7.62 mm rounds used for the AK-47 in a 30-round magazine. This was used extensively against arms (PGF) system to convert rifles into smart weapons. the US and Pakistan-propped mujahideen during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. This system calculates range, tracks a target, monitors wind direction and provides a fir- This rifle has a side-folding stock and a 16.3-inch barrel in a total length of 37 inches. ing solution to the user. It includes a head-up display (HUD) and provides an automatically It has recently undergone Western-style modifications to incorporate a skeletonised stock, adjusting aiming reticle. The system is under evaluation and testing by the US Army. It has and rail accessory mounting system similar to that on the M4. The AK series of rifles are reportedly been installed on the XM2010 Enhanced Sniper Rifle in this context. widely regarded as amongst the most reliable, easy to use, can withstand dust, grime, mois- Design company & country of origin: TrackingPoint - USA ture, and can be fired even from under water. First used: 2011 Design company & country of origin: Kalashnikov - Soviet Union/Russia www.spslandforces.com First Used: 1974

12 SP’s Land Forces 2/2019 >> SMALL ARMS

Photographs: Victrix Armaments, Caracal, Sig Sauer, Kalashnikov, Barrett

New Small Arms Inventory Beretta .338 Lapua Magnum Scorpio CAR 816 Close Quarter Battle Carbine The Italian Beretta Scorpio uses the famed .338 Lapua Mag- An interim replacement for the Indian Army’s vintage num calibre cartridge, which boasts of the longest confirmed 9mm Sterling carbines, the CAR 816 is a centre-fire, gas- of Indian sniper kill in combat at a range of 2,475 metres by the British operated and rotating-bolt system chambered in NATO sniper Corporal of Horse Craig Harrison in November 2009. 5.56 x 45 configuration. Widely used in the Afghanistan and Iraq Wars. The Beretta The weapon is also available as an assault rifle, comes .338 Lapua Magnum Scorpio has a 22-26 inch barrel, in varying barrel lengths, and is the standard issue Army comes with a suppressor, and has a 5-round magazine. weapon for the UAE forces. The Close Quarter Carbine This is a bolt action rifle like the American Barret M95 variant barrel length is 10.5 inches. Manufacturer & country of origin: Beretta – Italy Manufacturer & country of origin: Caracal – UAE

SiG 716 Assault Rifle Kalashnikov AK-203 Barrett M95 Sniper Rifle An interim replacement for the INSAS standard issue Touted as the most current version of the legendary AK-47 One of the two replacements for the vintage Soviet-origin assault rifle, the SiG-716 is built for a harsh tactical envi- assault rifle, the AK-203 shall be the new standard issue rifle Druganovs, this bolt action American sniper rifle cham- ronment. With this American weapon, the Indian Army for the Indian Army. Over 7,50,000 of these rifles will be bered in .50 BMG is an improved version of the earlier will move back to the 7.62 mm rounds which will provide manufactured under licence at the Ordnance Factory, Korwa Barret M90. Proven in Iraq and Afghanistan, its innova- a higher kill probability. in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh. It will be lighter and shorter than tive bullpup design minimises length without sacrificing Combining the reliability and ergonomics of the SiG the INSAS. It can fire up to 600 7.62 mm rounds in one min- ballistic performance or accuracy of the .50 BMG car- 516 series with the more lethal 7.62 mm cartridge, the ute – or 10 in a second – in both automatic and semi-auto- tridge. Fed by a 5-round detachable box magazine. SiG 716 is built around an advanced short-stroke pushrod matic modes - with a very high reliability factor. It has a kill The major difference between the M95 and its earlier gas operating system, which reduces excessive heat and range of 400 metres, and its magazine can hold 30 bullets. avatar the M90 is that the pistol grip and trigger have carbon fouling for better reliability and performance. It can be equipped with an under-barrel grenade been moved forward 1 inch for better magazine clearance. The SiG 716 and the Barret M95 will be the first launcher or a bayonet, and all versions can be fitted with Also, the bolt handle has been redesigned and bent down American small arms to be used by the Indian military in quick-detachable tactical sound suppressors. The legend and to the rear. decades. of the Kalashnikovs is built around reliability – these rifles Used by militaries and law enforcement agencies in 15 Manufacturer & country of origin: Sig Sauer – USA are never known to get jammed. These rifles are made for countries. use in very rugged and extreme climatic conditions. Manufacturer & country of origin: Barret Firearms Manufacturer & country of origin: Kalashnikov – Company – USA Russia

Uzi Sub-Machine Gun FAMAS Assault Rifle M16 ‘Space Rifle’ This legendary handgun dates back to the late 1940s, but One of the most distinctive rifles in the world, AF MAS With 8 million units produced over the decades since the early continues to occupy an iconic space in the world of small or Fusil d’Assaut de la Manufacture d’Armes de Saint- 1960s, this American weapon is the most-produced 5.56 mm arms. Designed by the legendary Uzial Gal, this very light Étienne Assault Rifle from the Saint-Étienne Weapon Fac- calibre rifle in the world. It was a way ahead of its time and and handy can fire six hundred 9mm rounds per minute tory), has a very high fire rate of 1,100 round per minute. came to be known as the ‘Space Rifle’. with the intensity of a heavy machine gun. It has an effec- Like the British SA80, this French weapon is a bullpup- The M16 - also known as the AR-16 - was Armalite’s tive range of 200m. It was one of the first weapons to use a styled assault rifle, popular as Le Clairon (The Bugle) in futuristic response to a US requirement for a lightweight and telescoping bolt design allowing the magazine to be housed the French military, which has been using it since 1978. chambered rifle for an intermediate charge. Armalite M16 in a pistol-like grip. It fires the 5.56 mm NATO standard ammunition. solution replaced steel parts traditionally used in rifles by First used by the Israeli special forces in 1954, the Uzi Radioactive tritium sights for night fighting set it aluminum. Also, for the first time, it used fiberglass in place has been exported to over 90 countries, more than any other apart from other assault rifles. It also has a built-in bipod. of wood. submachine gun ever. Post the 26/11 terrorist attacks from, A G2 variant was developed in the mid-1990s but the It’s ergonomic design was part of new features which it was also acquired for the Mumbai Police. It is used as a older F1 continued to be the primary Infantry weapon for were never seen before in a rifle at that time. weapon both for assault and personal protection. Besides the the French forces. It is now being replaced by the HK 416 It was inducted as a standard issue Infantry weapon in AK-47, also the most preferred weapon for gangsters. This F rifle. the US forces in 1964 and was used in the Vietnam War. gun has very few moving parts and costs less than many Design company and country of origin: Manufac- A few years later, it was replaced by the M16A1. Over the assault weapons. ture d’Armes de Saint-Étienne (MAS) - France decades that it was in service, the weapon went through Designer and Country of Origin: Uzial Gal - Israel, Man- First used: 1978 numerous upgrades till its replacement by the M4. ufacturers: Israel Military Industries, FN Herstal and others Design company and country of origin: Armalite Inc - USA First used: 1954 First used: 1964

2/2019 SP’s Land Forces 13 >> SPECIAL REPORTS

First lot of 6 indigenised Bofors At a parallel Air Force Commanders’ Conference, the top The Memorial complex is built around four concen- guns handed over to the Army brass again flagged critical requirements to fill gaps which tric circles – Amar Chakra (Circle of immortality), Veerta showed up during the recent confrontation with Pakistan. Chakra (Circle of Bravery), Tyag Chakra (Circle of Sacrifice) Increasing the indigenous content in procurements and and Rakshak Chakra (Circle of Protection). getting the maximum bang from the buck is a big focus area A 15.5-metre granite obelisk is at the heart of four con- for the commanders. For the first time, an Industrial Exhibi- centric circles. The eternal flame at the base of this obelisk tion was held alongside the Army Commanders Conference. symbolises the immortality of the spirit of the fallen soldiers “A total of 53 domestic companies participated in this event. with the assurance that the Nation shall never forget their This interaction of industry representatives with the senior sacrifices. The iconic verse by the poet Jagdambika Pal Hitai- leadership of the Army facilitated in obtaining a direct feed- shi to commemorate the immortality of martyrs is inscribed back regarding product development and enhancement under the eternal flame. keeping in view the requirements of Army,” it was stated in The Veerta Chakra is a covered, sunken gallery with six the press release. bronze murals depicting the valour of the Indian soldier in The military top brass demanded speeding up of road famous battles. construction and infrastructure development along the The Tyag Chakra comprises concentric walls of honour Northern Borders. The forces seek enabling infrastructure with names of soldiers killed in action inscribed in letters for quick military mobilisation in response to threats, and of gold on granite tablets embedded in the walls. Each mar- all-weather connectivity. tyred soldier has an independent brick to his name, which As the Generals brain-stormed on preparing the Army makes this complex unique. The circular concentric walls of for the future, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat stressed on honour represent the ancient war formation ‘Chakravyuh’. the need to scale up “technological threshold” of troops. The fourth Circle on the outer periphery – the Rakshak “As the Indian Army was becoming a more networked and Chakra (Circle of Protection) – with the row of trees repre- he first lot of six indigenised and upgraded Bofors digitised force, the Chief of Army Staff emphasised on the senting a reassurance to the nation about its safety against artillery guns was handed over to the Indian Army need to enhance technological threshold of all ranks so as any threat. Each tree represents soldiers who ensure the ter- Tby the Gun Carriage Factory, Jabalpur, on April 8. to imbibe state-of-the-art technology and exploit the same,” ritorial integrity of the nation. The indigenised Bofors gun has been christened Dhanush. the Army statement elaborated. The Param Yodha Sthal is an adjoining park dedicated The Army has accepted the gun for induction after exten- The top brass also sought to be prepare the Army for a to recipients of the nation’s highest gallantry award, the sive user trials. Now that the capability to produce this gun bigger role for women officers. A“ venues for making the lady Param Vir Chakra (PVC). Busts of all 21 PVC awardees are indigenously has been demonstrated, the Ordnance Factory officers experts in foreign languages, artificial intelligence, installed in the landscaped park. Board (of which the Gun Carriage Factory is a part) has data management, cyber and space domains are being “The design for the Memorial was selected through a received the go-ahead from the Ministry of Defence for the examined,” according to the statement. global competition. Yogesh Chanrahsan of WeBe Design bulk production of 114 Dhanush howitzers. To give the welfare of families of troops killed in the line Lab, Chennai, won the competition and was appointed proj- India had so far not availed of the transfer of technol- of duty due attention, the Year 2019 has been declared by ect consultant. M/s NCC Ltd was awarded the contract for ogy (ToT) element from the controversial Bofors FH- 77 B02 the Army as the ‘Year of Next of Kin’. the construction of the complex,” explained Major General gun deal of 1986 to manufacture the gun locally. —By Vishal Thapar Alok Raj, the chief project coordinator, who also conducted Secretary Defence Production Ajay Kumar, while sym- the Prime Minister around the Memorial complex during bolically handing over the howitzers to the Army, hailed the the dedication ceremony. The murals and busts have been occasion as a “glorious moment for the Gun Carriage Fac- India gets a National War Memorial sculpted by Ram Suthar. tory and the Ordnance Factory Board”. in the heart of New Delhi Lt General Rajeshwar said the Memorial was intended to The specification of the original Bofors gun is of 155 be a place of pilgrimage. “It is aimed at instilling national pride mm, 39 calibre. The indigenised Dhanush is of 155 mm, 45 and a sense of patriotism. it will be an inspiration to the next calibre, with a longer barrel and a greater range. generation and help the cause of nation building,” he said. The ToT details from the 1986 Bofors deal have been Entry would be restricted to a maximum of 250 persons combined with indigenous knowhow to produce the Dha- at a time. “The public should respect the regulation of foot- nush, which also has the shoot and scoot element. fall. It is a pious place and we expect a certain order,” Major A Ministry of Defence statement put the indigenous con- General Raj informed. But two public plazas will be kept tent of the gun at 81 per cent. This will go up to 91 per cent open round the clock. by the end of 2019. Director-General Artillery, Lt General —By Vishal Thapar P.K. Shrivastava and Commandant School of Artillery, Lt General R.S. Salaria accepted the guns on behalf of the Army. —By Vishal Thapar Spike gets a new lease of life: Indian Army seeks Israeli missile as an Amidst military tensions, Army top urgent requirement brass re-prioritises budgetary spending to ensure war readiness

he National War Memorial was dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 25, Tbringing the supreme sacrifice made by 25,942 mili- tary troops since Independence centre-stage to New Delhi’s capitol complex. When Modi lit the eternal flame at the base of a central obelisk at the heart of the Memorial complex to honour the memory of the soldiers who fell in battle to uphold national integrity, it fulfilled a six-decade-old emo- tive demand by the armed forces. midst military tensions with Pakistan, the Army top “All ceremonial wreath-laying by national and interna- rospects for the Israeli Spike missile have got a new brass has initiated re-prioritisation of its procure- tional dignitaries will now be shifted from India Gate to the lease of life in the Indian market with the Indian Army Aments to ensure operational readiness. National War Memorial,” announced Lt General P.S. Rajesh- Preportedly putting this system on the fast track pro- “Re-prioritising the existing requirements to ensure that war, chief of the Integrated Defence Staff, who oversaw the curement route. the resources allocated for force modernisation and capac- completion of work on this 176 crore project in one year. The Indian Army declined to confirm or deny reports ity building....by optimising allotted budget” for “optimum The inter-service guard will also shift to the War Memorial. that 240 Spike ER missiles and 12 launchers are being pur- force readiness” tops the agenda of the ongoing Army Com- India Gate was raised in 1931 to commemorate 83,000 chased as an “emergency procurement” under financial manders’ Conference in New Delhi, according to a press Indian troops who had laid down their lives in World War-I powers delegated to the Vice-Chief of Army Staff. statement issued by the Army on April 12. The six-day con- and the Third Anglo-Afghan Wars. An inverted rifle bayo- Rafael’s Spike ER, with a range of up to 8 km, is a multi- ference will conclude on April 13. net with a helmet on top was installed under the India Gate purpose missile system which can be mounted on multiple Budgetary constraints are forcing India’s armed forces arch in January 1972 to commemorate India’s victory in platforms, including helicopters. It’s an advanced, fifth-gener- to pare down their modernisation plans to the bare essen- the 1971 War and as a tribute to troops who laid down their ation version of the Spike Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM). tials for maintaining readiness to face military challenges at lives in the War. Respects to the fallen soldiers have been The Spike procurement received a go-ahead from the a time of heightened tensions with adversaries. Budgetary paid by dignitaries at India Gate since then. The new War Defence Acquisition Council in 2014, but the process got levels are inadequate to meet even the committed liabilities Memorial is located in the C Hexagon area between India stalled because of avowed maturity of the indigenous solution. of the Indian Air Force and the Navy, and the tight resource Gate and the National Stadium, and spread over a 40-acre The Spike procurement has now been revived as an

www.spslandforces.com position is a major worry for military planners. complex, making it one of the largest in the world. urgent requirement, although in much reduced numbers.

14 SP’s Land Forces 2/2019 >> SPECIAL REPORTS

Under financial powers delegated to Vice-Chiefs in November 2018, will be hard pressed to match the price of Elbit’s ATHOS 2052. the armed forces can make procurements to meet urgent operational Adrift for two decades, India’s artillery modernisation plan Publisher and Editor-in-Chief requirements costing up to 500 crore. This process does not require appears finally falling into place. In 2018, the Indian Army started Jayant Baranwal to go through the time-consuming decision-making loop which inducting the M777 ultra light howitzers and the K-9 Vajra tracked Senior Editorial Contributor ends at the door of the Defence Acquisition Council headed by the self-propelled guns. Both these guns are in the 155 mm, 52 cali- Lt General P.C. Katoch (Retd) Defence Minister. bre class, and the Indian Army’s first new artillery inductions since Senior Technical Group Editor Informed sources infer that limited induction of the Spike could the infamous Bofors deal in 1986. The Dhanush, an upgrade of the Lt General Naresh Chand (Retd) open doors for larger procurement of this multi-purpose missile in Bofors FH-77B by the OFB, too has provided some cheer. The Army Air Marshal B.K. Pandey (Retd) the anti-tank/anti-armour role. is buying 145 M777s, 100 K-9 Vajras, and has committed an order Group Associate Editor The Spike was preferred over the American offer of the Javelin for 114 Dhanush guns after receiving the first six. Vishal Thapar missile. —By Vishal Thapar Contributors India General V.P. Malik (Retd), Lt General Vijay Oberoi (Retd), Lt General R.S. Nagra (Retd), Elbit beats Nexter in epic battle to win Lt General S.R.R. Aiyengar (Retd), Indian 155 mm, 52 calibre towed gun Major General Ashok Mehta (Retd), Major General G.K. Nischol (Retd), competition Brigadier Gurmeet Kanwal (Retd), sraeli Elbit has won the Indian Army’s 155 mm, 52 calibre towed Brigadier S. Mishra (Retd), Rohit Sharma artillery gun competition, of which the import content alone is Chairman & Managing Director Ivalued at over $1 Billion. Elbit’s Indian partner is Bharat Forge. Jayant Baranwal “The Elbit-Bharat Forge bid for the ATHOS 2052 howitzer was Executive Vice President found significantly lower than that of French Nexter, which offered (Planning & Business Development) the Trajan gun jointly with its Indian partner Larsen & Toubro,” Rohit Goel highly-placed sources told SP’s Correspondent. These guns have a Administration firing range of above 40 km. Bharti Sharma This was an epic arms bazaar battle, involving several rounds of Asst-Admin, HR & Infra tendering and trials since the beginning of the last decade. The dec- Pooja Tehlani laration of Elbit as ‘L1’ has cleared the decks for price negotiations. Creative Director While the requirement is for 1,580 towed guns, reports have Anoop Kamath suggested the possibility of the order being pruned to 400 imported Design guns. For the acquisition of the remaining 1,180 guns which were Vimlesh Kumar Yadav, Sonu Singh Bisht meant to be made in India under transfer of technology, the Gov- ernment may opt instead for the indigenous Advanced Towed Artil- The Indian Army’s Field Artillery Rationalisation Programme Research Assistant: Graphics lery Gun System (ATAGS), being developed by the Defence Research (FARP) - probably the world’s largest - was approved in 1999 to Survi Massey and Development Organisation (DRDO) in partnership with Tata equip 169 artillery regiments with over 3,000 155 mm guns by Sales & Marketing Power SED and Bharat Forge. 2027. One artillery regiment is usually equipped with 18 guns. Director Sales & Marketing: Neetu Dhulia But sources hinted that the Elbit-Bharat Forge combine has Cost estimates are in the $8 to 10 Billion bracket. The programme, General Manager Sales: Rajeev Chugh pulled its price below even that of the Dhanush 155 mm, 42 cali- involving the acquisition of 1,580 towed, 400 self-propelled, 814 SP’s Website bre artillery gun produced by the Ordnance Factory Board of which mounted and 145 ultra light howitzers, will take decades for frui- Sr. Web Developer: Shailendra P. Ashish the first six were handed over to the Indian Army on April 8. Even tion. The order for 114 Dhanush guns may also grow to 400. Web Developer: Ugrashen Vishwakarma though it enjoys a big leeway as an indigenous effort, the ATAGS —By Vishal Thapar Published bimonthly by Jayant Baranwal on behalf of SP Guide Publications Pvt Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a >> News in Brief retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, photocopying, recording, electronic, or otherwise without the prior Successful Trial of ‘Nirbhay’ Sub- cruised all the intended waypoints. The mis- Kalyani and Thales to develop Next written permission of the publishers. Sonic Cruise Missile sile demonstrated its sea-skimming capabil- Generation of Defence Systems Printed in India ity to cruise at very low altitudes. Kalyani Group and Thales have formalized by Kala Jyothi Process Pvt Ltd The entire flight was fully tracked by a a new collaboration for the design, develop- © SP Guide Publications, 2019 chain of Electro Optical Tracking Systems, ment and manufacture of next generation Subscription/ Circulation Radars and Ground Telemetry Systems weapons systems for the Defence and Law Annual Inland: `600 • Overseas: US$180 deployed all along the sea coast. Enforcement sectors in India and abroad. Email: [email protected] All the mission objectives were met. The collaboration between KSSL and [email protected] Thales will leverage Thales’s more than Letters to Editor Army concludes new equipment 100 years’ experience in the design, devel- [email protected] training for Gray Eagle ER opment and manufacture of world leading For Advertising Details, Contact: defence systems in Australia. The agree- [email protected] ment was signed onboard the HMAS Can- [email protected] berra in a call in India, by MKK Iyer, Vice SP GUIDE PUBLICATIONS PVT LTD President (Defence), Kalyani Group and Corporate Office Emmanuel de Roquefeuil, VP and Country A 133 Arjun Nagar, Opp Defence Colony, Defence Research & Development Organ- Director India, Thales. New Delhi 110003, India isation (DRDO) today successfully test fired Tel: +91(11) 24644693, 24644763, indigenously designed & developed Long Twin Success for Guided PINAKA 24620130 Range Sub-Sonic Cruise Missile “Nirb- Fax: +91 (11) 24647093 hay” from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Regd Office Chandipur Odisha. It is the sixth develop- The US Army has completed its New Equip- Fax: +91 (11) 23622942 ment flight trial with objective to prove the ment Training (NET) at Fort Campbell, Ken- Email: [email protected] repeatability of boost phase, cruise phase tucky for the MQ-1C ER Gray Eagle Extended Representative Offices using way point navigation at very low alti- Range. The training covered new mainte- Bengaluru, INDIA tudes. The missile took off vertically turning nance procedures, manuals and ground sup- Air Marshal B.K. Pandey (Retd) horizontally into desired direction, booster port equipment associated with the MQ-1C 204, Jal Vayu Vihar, Kalyan Nagar, separated, wing deployed, engine started, ER, which is a new Unmanned Aircraft Bengaluru 560043, India. Tel: +91 (80) 23682204 System (UAS) produced by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI). Defence Research and Defence Organisa- MOSCOW, RUSSIA The training not only prepared the cur- tion (DRDO) today successfully test fired LAGUK Co., Ltd, Yuri Laskin >> Show Calendar Krasnokholmskaya, Nab., rent Army Company - 160th Foxtrot - to the Guided PINAKA from Pokhran ranges. 11/15, app. 132, Moscow 115172, Russia. 30 April–3 May operate MQ-1C ER, it also prepared Echo The weapon system is equipped with state- Tel: +7 (495) 911 2762, International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF) Company to become the Army’s second of-the-art guidance kit comprising of an Fax: +7 (495) 912 1260 Company to be trained to operate the Gray advanced navigation and control system. Tüyap Istanbul Fair and Congress www.spguidepublications.com Center, Turkey Eagle Extended Range. In both the missions, the weapon systems www.spslandforces.com http://idef.com.tr/en “Adding a second Company to operate impacted the intended targets with high RNI Number: DELENG/2008/25818 the MQ-1C ER is a testament to the confi- precision and achieved desired accuracies. 5–6 June dence the Army has in the performance of Telemetry Systems tracked and monitored Future Armoured Vehicles Weapon this UAS,” said David R. Alexander, presi- the vehicle all through the flight path. All Systems dent, GA-ASI. “The MQ-1C ER provides the mission objectives have been met. Opthorne Tara Hotel, Scarsdale Place, significant enhancements in capability over The indigenously developed Guided Kensington, London, UK the MQ-1C, delivering increased reliability, Pinaka by DRDO will significantly boost www.smi-online.co.uk/defence/uk/Future- range and capacity for our Army customer the capability of the artillery to make pre- Armoured-Vehicles-Weapons-Systems over the previous version.” cision hits. SP

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