F-INSAS Futuristic Infantry Soldier As a System

Status
Not open for further replies.

chathurang

Regular Member
Joined
Nov 27, 2009
Messages
15
Likes
2
F-INSAS is really a progressive step towards a well equipped and coordinated army.Its an ambitious project for the Indian Army.But what i feel is that at present our soldiers both military and paramilitary lack firepower and Armour protection.Such huge spending's on army which is 4th largest army in the world especially in a country like ours faced with dirty politics and lengthy acquirement process doesn't seem to have much progress. We need to focus on raising the army according to our needs ,its not an invading army ,its a defending army.
All i could think about is purchasing body armour (3A/4 Level protection),better head gear,combat boots,heavy mixed weapons(a platoon should have heavy gunner,grenade launcher or light motor,then light gunner).Focus should be done on coordination development,better planning,communication and attack gear of troop actively engaged in battle zone.India has always been slow in making any decision regarding troop deployment and no rapid acquirement plans have been done till date.We have never learn't from our past.
 

plugwater

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 25, 2009
Messages
4,154
Likes
1,081
Slow Going As India Revamps Army

Program delays and an urgent need for upgrades and new equipment are among the challenges confronting Lt. Gen. V.K. Singh, India's new army chief of staff, as he begins wrestling with modernization of the 1.1-million-strong force.

The service has issued numerous requests for information (RFI) and proposals as it moves to increase its operational capabilities. The list of needs is long. Key items include: artillery, missiles, rocket launchers, helicopters and ground strike aircraft, radar, night-vision equipment, future force gear and apparel, and network-centric and battle-management systems.

Progress is being made, however slowly. The first step toward waging network-centric warfare at the tactical level will be through Project Sakthi, which establishes an artillery combat command-and-control system to integrate weapon operations. The signal corps, the lead agency and center for information and cyber-security in the military and at the national level, directs the project. The corps is working to make the army a network-enabled force by 2012 and a network-centric one by 2017. "This will involve consolidation of all networks to provide the army with an optimal, secure and robust infrastructure to meet operational and peacetime requirements, one that withstands technical and physical degradation," an army spokesman says.

The army's plans in this area also involve the "Network for Spectrum" project, which is being implemented by the government's telecommunications department in exchange for spectrum being released from the defense quota. The army is installing a fiber-optic cable network to meet its bandwidth needs. When complete, the service will vacate existing spectrum in use by the military, freeing it for civilian applications. Plans to upgrade the cyber-security of networks are also under consideration.

Meanwhile, ITT Corp. expects its night-vision devices to attract interest from the army aviation corps, which issued an RFI for night-vision goggles for helicopter pilots among others. Should the project be approved, ITT will partner with government-owned Bharat Electronics Ltd. (BEL) in producing the devices. ITT will provide select components and BEL will be responsible for power optics, says David Melcher, president of ITT Defense and Information Solutions.

ITT is confident in the performance of the critical image-intensifier tube in the night-vision goggles, which it says is rugged, combat-proven and a good match for fixed- and rotary-wing aviators as well as ground forces. The *company says its enhanced night-vision goggles are the first to provide fusion (via optical overlay) of image-intensified and infrared imagery.

BEL has asked ITT for 33,000 of the tubes. ITT for its part has applied for a Technical Assistance Agreement from the U.S Defense Department in order to produce the technology abroad. "We're bound by what we can transfer by [U.S. government] International Traffic in Arms Regulations," says Melcher. "Night-vision technology is protected, which is why we are looking at other ways [of using it overseas]."

As the world's largest provider of military VHF radios and advanced tactical communication systems, ITT is also promoting Spearnet, which offers simultaneous voice, data and situational awareness in a low-cost multirole radio. Having been successfully used in Iraq and Afghanistan, Melcher says the product will be valuable to Indian soldiers.

A fast-track program for procurement of $300 million worth of weapons and equipment for special forces is under way. Under the program, 10,000 troops will receive new gear in the next 15 months. The army envisions implementing a multibillion-dollar modernization program called Futuristic Infantry Soldier (F-Insas), to broaden the capabilities of infantry by making them multimission warfighters.

Under the program, the army will buy antitank guided missile launchers with thermal-imaging sights, armored vehicles, rifles, battle-surveillance radars, ground sensors, secured communication systems, precision-guided ammunition, laser rangefinders that provide ballistic data, light clothing and bullet-resistant jackets.

While critics are skeptical that the 2011 date for F-Insas prototype trials will be met, the army's plans call for equipping the entire infantry—500,000 troops—with the gear by 2020.

General Dynamics U.K., for one, is interested in bidding on the battle-management system, a technology the company specializes in. General Dynamics delivered Bowman, the British Army's battle-management system, as well as similar programs to the Netherlands and Romania. "We have upgraded more than 13,000 vehicles—the largest number of any company—including T72 tanks and BMP infantry fighting vehicles, both of which the Indian army uses," says spokesman Mark Douglas.

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/gene...w Going As India Revamps Army&channel=defense
 

Yatharth Singh

Knowledge is power.
Regular Member
Joined
Apr 23, 2010
Messages
744
Likes
176
Country flag
F-INSAS is really a progressive step towards a well equipped and coordinated army.Its an ambitious project for the Indian Army.But what i feel is that at present our soldiers both military and paramilitary lack firepower and Armour protection.Such huge spending's on army which is 4th largest army in the world especially in a country like ours faced with dirty politics and lengthy acquirement process doesn't seem to have much progress. We need to focus on raising the army according to our needs ,its not an invading army ,its a defending army.
All i could think about is purchasing body armour (3A/4 Level protection),better head gear,combat boots,heavy mixed weapons(a platoon should have heavy gunner,grenade launcher or light motor,then light gunner).Focus should be done on coordination development,better planning,communication and attack gear of troop actively engaged in battle zone.India has always been slow in making any decision regarding troop deployment and no rapid acquirement plans have been done till date.We have never learn't from our past.
Buddy its not the 4th largest, its 2nd largest. Atleast you must have known this fact bro.
 

Rage

DFI TEAM
Senior Member
Joined
Feb 23, 2009
Messages
5,419
Likes
1,001
Here's some of what we can look forward to:


F-INSAS Anti Mine Shoe being Inspected by then Chief of army staff JJ Singh



Very similar to this:





The heads-up display:








Inside of a BMP-2 vehicle










All pics are from a newly-inaugurated Indian defence forum, whose link I shall withhold.
 

Yatharth Singh

Knowledge is power.
Regular Member
Joined
Apr 23, 2010
Messages
744
Likes
176
Country flag
India's defence forces to get pan-India broadband network

NEW DELHI: India's defence forces will soon have a pan-India wireless broadband network. This was decided in a meeting on July 20 between the telecom and defence ministries, officials with direct knowledge of the development told ET.

The telecom ministry has accepted the armed forces demand that one slot of pan-India wireless broadband airwaves be reserved for it. In the recently concluded auctions, Reliance Industries, which bought out Infotel, was the only player that bagged pan-India wireless broadband airwaves. The telecom department has also said that the armed forces can take a call whether to use WiMAX or the upcoming LTE technology for their pan-India wireless broadband network.

The July 20 meet was attended by five representatives from the armed forces, including Lt General P Mohapatra, SO-in-C, and Lt Col VK Jain, officiating director — both from army headquarters, and the team of wireless advisers from the telecom department led by Dr Ashok Chandra.

As against the telecom department's (DoT) plan to award 10 MHz of wireless broadband frequencies, the defence has sought that this be doubled in line with what is being handed out to the winners of the recently concluded auctions. The telecom department is in the process of awarding 20 MHz of BWA spectrum to the two winners in each circle. DoT sources said that the armed forces demand for 10 MHz of additional broadband spectrum will be considered during the next round of meeting between both parties.

In another related development, during the same meet, the telecom ministry had also sought that the armed forces vacate up to 65 MHz of 2G spectrum so that the government can meet its obligations by providing the minimum amount of airwaves to all existing telcos as specified in their licences. This comes as the future expansion prospects of new entrants and other mid-sized mobile operators are on a sticky wicket as a DoT study has for the first time confirmed that India has virtually exhausted its stock of 2G airwaves, the frequencies on which all mobile services are delivered today.

The DoT requires as much as 85 MHz of 2G airwaves to ensure that all "existing" operators get the minimum amount of airwaves promised in their licence. ET has learnt that the defence services have told the DoT that they were open to releasing about 55 MHz of 2G airwaves. This will happen in a phased manner and will be linked to the completion of the alternate network that the DoT is building for the defence forces. The armed forces have also told the DoT that they will take a call on vacating an additional 10 MHz of 2G spectrum (so that the total amount they release is equal to 65 MHz ) after studying the matter internally.

Officially, the allotment of 2G airwaves or 'spectrum' has been on hold for the past 18 months on the grounds that the communication ministry is yet to finalise a new methodology for awarding these airwaves. But telcos who having been waiting for months, are unlikely to get any 2G spectrum in most circles even after the new allocation methodology is finalised, unless the armed forces bail out the DoT.

The armed forces support is therefore crucial since the DoT study, a copy of which is with ET, confirms there are no 2G airwaves available with it in the 900 MHz band, while only tiny bits are available in the 1,800 MHz. (The 900 MHz and 1,800 MHz are the two frequency bands in which 2G airwaves are present).

According to the DoT, second generation spectrum is currently available with it in only 10 of India's 22 circles and in these cases, too, little in most regions — for instance, Delhi has 3.6 units of 2G airwaves left while Mumbai has 2.2 MHz. Additionally, about 50% of the country's 14 telcos have only the basic start-up 2G spectrum in many key circles, leading to a possibility of many operators being unable to expand their networks to cater to their growing customer bases.

For instance, in the Mumbai circle, leading operators such as Idea Cellular, Reliance Communications (GSM), Tata DoCoMo, Aircel, Uninor all have only 4.4 MHz of airwaves, the minimum required to launch mobile services. While each of these mobile firms are awaiting an additional of minimum 1.8 units of 2G spectrum for their next phase of operations, the DoT study indicates that a mere 2.2 units are available in total. Similarly, in the case of say Maharashtra, where no 2G frequencies are available. Only eight telcos have startup airwaves, most of whom are also awaiting additional frequencies to improve the quality of services for their growing subscriber numbers.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/6249932.cms?prtpage=1
 

kundanbhakuni

New Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2010
Messages
1
Likes
0
Hey thats a lot of good and interesting information on F-INSAS. However could I ask the following:

How much has been the budgeted amount for it?
Do we have any testing plans for it?
Is there any prototype available?

Would be great ful if someone can answer the queries.

regards,
Kundan
 

black eagle

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 22, 2009
Messages
1,237
Likes
130
Country flag
Wearable Computer for Indian soldiers



India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is working on a wearable computer for soldiers.

The computer would have many useful applications, offering connectivity to soldiers in a group or with command headquarters. In case of a problem, like a missing soldier, the computer would help in locating him and his unit.

In tough, inhospitable terrains, the computer could also have GPS locators for guidance and direction.


There are thousands of applications that in fact can be there depending upon the requirements.

A prototype of the Wearable Computer was displayed at the Indian Science Congress held in the southern Indian city of Chennai recently.

The device was capable of carrying out scores of applications like Situational Awareness, Command Control, Navigation, Sensor Data Processing, Video and Voice Streaming.

DRDO has successfully developed computer software for Indian Air Force's SU 30 MKI's aircraft, missiles and other combat systems.

http://www.indiastrategic.in/topstories879.htm
Seems to me FINSAS is well on the move....:thumb:
 

ALBY

Section Moderator
Mod
Joined
Sep 15, 2009
Messages
3,513
Likes
6,779
Country flag
@ yatharth making a rifle compatable for so many calibres wont bring much success other than making matters complicated....as the rifle is intented for general in fantry we should manufacture a rifle which should be of simple design with a calibre of either 6.8 or 7.62*39mm...please dont even think about 5.56 coz it is powerless and is prone to sand,snow and water and mud..even if we want a rifle with multi calibre we should have to accomodate only 6.8 and 7.62mm...after all which soldier is going to carry this much different types ammos and different mags and barrels during an operation...
 

gogbot

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 2, 2009
Messages
937
Likes
120
Seems to me FINSAS is well on the move....:thumb:
If it was DRDO should be Showing off the F-INSAS rifle right now.

Induction of which had to start at least by 2013.

In the first phase, to be completed by 2012, the infantry soldiers will be equipped with modular weapon systems that will have multi-functions.

The Indian Army intends to modernize its entire 465 infantry and paramilitary battalions by 2020 with this program.
Instead we have this

Procurement requests for the 'open calibre' carbines is valued at around Indian Rupee RS.44 billion (US$954.8 million) have been initiated with global manufacturers. The procurement covers night-vision devices, laser designators and detachable under-barrel grenade launchers.

As with all army Modernization plans , no one knows what the hell is going on and it all eventually ends with Global RFP's that only get re-issued
 

RPK

Indyakudimahan
Senior Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2009
Messages
4,970
Likes
229
Country flag
Army to unveil futuristic Rambos next year

http://www.dailypioneer.com/317017/Army-to-unveil-futuristic-Rambos-next-year.html

February 11, 2011 12:39:51 PM

Rahul Datta | New Delhi

Come 2012, the Indian Army will have among its ranks quite a few high-tech and all-terrain infantrymen. They will have the ability to fight in a network-centric environment and will carry a weight — of weapons and other equipment — almost 50 per cent less than what they shoulder at present.

They will be the Futuristic Infantry Solider as a System (F-INSAS). The Army on Wednesday floated a global tender (request for information) for acquiring an integrated computer and communications system for its infantrymen. The systems — including mini-computers or laptops along with GPS and radio systems — will be part of the F-INSAS programme.

India has embarked upon on a similar programme called F-INSAS 2020, by when each soldier in its 3.75 lakh-strong infantry will be covered. The entire process is likely to cost more than $3 billion. The F-INSAS programme was first announced in 2007. The first phase of acquiring and training infantrymen is likely to be over by the end of 2011.

Faced with rapidly-changing warfare and the advent of information technology, countries like the US have made their infantry soldier self-sufficient, or "one-man armies."

The futuristic soldier will have a more lethal but lighter rifle, lighter but stronger bulletproof jacket and lighter boots, besides ultra modern gadgets to increase his efficiency in war and reduce chances of casualty.

Sources said computers similar to the ones for which the tender has been floated are now in use by the US Army in Iraq and Afghanistan. They have proved their real-time worth vis-à-vis the ability to accept and present by command, control, communications, computers and intelligence tools, among others.

GPS, radio systems and computers — in the form of mini-laptops, helmet-mounted pads or wristbands — will enable soldiers to exchange pertinent information up and laterally across the chain of command under all environmental and climatic conditions.

Moreover, the Army wants to acquire systems which allow the soldier knowledge of what is happening around him and his location on the battlefield with respect to the enemy and his own troops.

The main objective of the F-INSAS programme is to enhance the soldier's lethality, survival capacity and mobility.

Hi-tech Armoury

Helmet

Fitted with thermal sensors, video cameras besides chemical and biological sensors. Visor to function as a display monitor like two small computer monitors.

Clothing

To be lighter, waterproof but breathable besides resistant to chemical warfare. Also have sensors to monitor the health of soldier in order to provide immediate medical assistance.

Weapons

DRDO is developing a multi-calibre rifle and grenades. The rifle will be fitted with thermal weapon sight and laser finder to provide the soldier with range and direction information.
 

sayareakd

Mod
Joined
Feb 17, 2009
Messages
17,734
Likes
18,951
Country flag
one wonders if IA thinks that other countries will provide future soldiers tech to them.
 

black eagle

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 22, 2009
Messages
1,237
Likes
130
Country flag
ARMY REVAMP

Soldiers to go high-tech

Rajat Pandit | TNN



Soldiers armed with hand-held computers or wrist-band display units, "smart" vests packed with sensors, integrated ballistic helmets with "heads-up display", miniature radio and GPS systems and, of course, deadly firepower with laser-guided modular weapon systems.

Seems straight out of a scifi film? It may, at this point. But, away from the razzmatazz of acquiring fighter jets, submarines and missiles, India is also now finally looking to equip its foot-soldiers with advanced weaponry and gadgets for the conflicts of future.

The defence ministry on Wednesday floated a global RFI (request for information) for procuring "integrated computer and communication systems (ICCS)" for infantry soldiers, who constitute over onethird of the 1.13-million Army.

This is in keeping with the aim to gradually transform soldiers into high-tech, networked, self-contained killing machines under the Army's FINSAS (future infantry soldier as a system) programme.
Though the plan was to implement F-INSAS across all the 359 infantry battalions by 2020, it has suffered from some delays. "But it's on the right track. First, we will carry out systems development and integration, followed by user-trials by two infantry brigades. Finally, the F-INSAS project will be fielded for the entire infantry," said a senior officer.

Army chief Gen V K Singh himself has identified "transformation into an agile, lethal and networked force, which is capability-based to meet the future challenges", as one of his top-priorities.


http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Defa...geLabel=9&EntityId=Ar00901&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T
 

p2prada

Senior Member
Joined
May 25, 2009
Messages
10,234
Likes
4,015
If it was DRDO should be Showing off the F-INSAS rifle right now.

Induction of which had to start at least by 2013.



Instead we have this




As with all army Modernization plans , no one knows what the hell is going on and it all eventually ends with Global RFP's that only get re-issued
It looks fine to me.

Army wants guns now to replace the old SLRs and INSAS rifles. These guns could be used until the end of the decade. From 2013 onwards, or more realistically 2014 onwards we will start inducting the F-INSAS guns.

Perhaps the IA will standardize on the rifle in the long run.
 

shuvo@y2k10

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 4, 2010
Messages
2,653
Likes
6,709
Country flag
another global tender? what about drdo developed wearable computer and multi-caliber rifle?is the army planning to procure each and every sub-systems from foreign vendors? what is drdo's participation in it?
 

gogbot

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 2, 2009
Messages
937
Likes
120
It looks fine to me.
Where are the F-Insas rifles , where are the smart vests , where is the data link infrastrucure.

everything is suffering from delays.

Army wants guns now to replace the old SLRs and INSAS rifles. These guns could be used until the end of the decade. From 2013 onwards, or more realistically 2014 onwards we will start inducting the F-INSAS guns.
F-Insas is big question mark.

I don't even understand if army wants to import or if they are expect a promising weapon to be delivered soon.

So far all they have done is to issue global RFP's
Perhaps the IA will standardize on the rifle in the long run.
IA will standardize on a carbine and a rifle ,
Except for the fact both are now where to be seen.
 

Rage

DFI TEAM
Senior Member
Joined
Feb 23, 2009
Messages
5,419
Likes
1,001
Hey thats a lot of good and interesting information on F-INSAS. However could I ask the following:

How much has been the budgeted amount for it?
Do we have any testing plans for it?
Is there any prototype available?

Would be great ful if someone can answer the queries.

regards,
Kundan
Wow, sorry for the late reply!

1.Upwards of $2 billion for the DRDO's process, as of 2010; expect massive cost-overruns as the usual delays, procedural hobnobbing etc. pan out.

2. Testing is a continuous process. The Army issued an RFI for an assault-rifle last year, and testing will begin once they get it. The Army was also scouting for Heavy Machine Guns from abroad. Don't know if they've got 'em. The private sector's getting involved in a big way, check out this, for example of what looks like a corner-shot multi-calibre rifle:


3. Prototype of what, exactly? If you're looking for a gun, the Army has put down its preference <the RFI referred to earlier> for the following:
As part of the Indian Army's phased future infantry soldier as a system (F-INSAS) programme to create a fully integrated infantry soldier, Army HQ has floated requirements [PDF] for a new assault rifle that will, potentially, be license-built in large numbers. A questionaire provided with RFI points to what the Army is looking for in its new ambidextrous assault rifle:

The Army has put down its preference for a modular assault rifle with changeable multiple caliber barrels to support 5.56x45mm, 7.62x39mm, 7.62x51mm, 6.8x43mm and 6.5 Grendel rounds. The rifle needs to have an integrated sighting system that includes a luminous tipped flip-up iron sight, telescopic sight and a holographic reflex sight with a visible laser illuminator. It clearly wants an advanced under-barrel grenade launcher with a standalone firing mode governed by a multipurpose fire control system.
http://livefist.blogspot.com/2010/12/indian-army-scouts-for-f-insas-assault.html

For some of the other systems, including a possible multi-calibre weapon, with under barrel grenade launcher:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ADvl2WJb8g
 

EnlightenedMonk

Member of The Month JULY 2009
Senior Member
Joined
Mar 7, 2009
Messages
3,831
Likes
28
I've always got the impression that the DRDO was going to indigenously develop the F-INSAS rifle and the data-link structures to support the future infantry soldier programme... Now, this RFP has come as a shocker to me. Looks like they want to import this one too...
 

Kunal Biswas

Member of the Year 2011
Ambassador
Joined
May 26, 2010
Messages
31,122
Likes
41,042
What Indian Basics Infantry Solider needs:


1. Combat Uniform with inbuilt pads at knee and other Joints..
bdu_acu_wpad_set.jpg





2. Kevlar Helmet like M88
ht-13-acu_1_mark.jpg





3. A Shorter but effective Rifle with Rail for all kinds of Optics and hardware..
SAR-21-4.jpg




4. Lighter Bulletproof ..
special_82_light_modular.jpg


Give us these few basic tools..
 

Attachments

EnlightenedMonk

Member of The Month JULY 2009
Senior Member
Joined
Mar 7, 2009
Messages
3,831
Likes
28
Lighter bulletproof ?? Shouldn't we go in for heavier bulletproof ??? Something like dragon-skin which would protect us from even Kalashnikov gunfire ???
 

Rage

DFI TEAM
Senior Member
Joined
Feb 23, 2009
Messages
5,419
Likes
1,001
I've always got the impression that the DRDO was going to indigenously develop the F-INSAS rifle and the data-link structures to support the future infantry soldier programme... Now, this RFP has come as a shocker to me. Looks like they want to import this one too...
I think the intention is to have domestic private companies participate in the tender. Remember, TATA is in to this whole F-INSAS thing too, Mahindra, I am sure, is not too far behind. Close to 1 million units will be needed by the end of the programs distribution, which I think is far too large a contract to give abroad.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Latest Replies

Global Defence

New threads

Articles

Top