Article Posted on : - Jun 10, 2009

An artist impression of Network Centric Warfare

NEW DELHI (BNS): Indian defence forces are gearing up for the scenario where command centres will be issuing orders on the basis of real-time pictures of the war fronts.

The Army, Navy and Air Force are preparing to integrate their assets with high-end sensors, satellites and radars to transmit real-time pictures to the command centres, a MID Day report said.

The Air Force has already inducted Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS), while the Army and the Navy are also buying satellite terminals and high-end antenna to integrate their networks with dedicated satellites.

"The Navy has dedicated almost half of its budget for purchasing equipment for integration of various assets. The wars of the future are going to be very different and the nation that can successfully integrate its various defence forces, will have an advantage," said a senior defence ministry official.

The defence forces are also upgrading their existing systems and have agreed to share their bandwidth with the department of telecommunications to secure their network against any intrusion. "After 26/11 there is a serious need to improve and add more safeguards to our communication system. Though the defence communication setup is largely impenetrable, improvement is imperative," the paper quoting the army officer said.

Explaining the concept of Network Centric Warfare (NCW) he said, "Imagine a war zone where the infantry is linked with the armoured group as well as the artillery. Similarly, Army formations will be joined with the Air Force. The same will be replicated with the Air Force and Navy in coastal areas."

A senior official from the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) said very sophisticated software is going to be an integral part of the overall system. "Cyber technology will lead the change. Only dedicated high-end software mixed with accurately designed hardware can make it possible. Software units across the world are preparing such gadgets and programmes and India is among one of the front runners."