That's ok but my point was regarding unification of processes in to "paperless". IAF has become complete paperless in terms of inventory management. But I don't think IA has achieved that level.
IAF uses AFNET it's network is completely isolated I don't think IA has achieved that level quite a long way to go?
I cannot say, as I have nil knowledge wrt IAF.
Inventory management in the army does happen on computers too, but becoming "completely paperless" is neither a goal nor feasable.
Isolation, AWAN was in collaboration with TCS and SSBN with BSNL IIRC, ASCON and Satellite communication networks are independent.
WRT the article -
Communication infrastructure that can keep the troops talking and moving is the key to victory.
We all know of F-INSAS, the army is aware of the need for expansion of the current level of communication and the moderinsation plans are in progress, but its more complex than it seems for a force the size of the Indian Army , so don't expect anything overnight.
Defence forces today face difficulties that jeopardise military operations due to the vast amount of voice, data and video that must be transported and shared, to give troops a complete picture of any particular battle.
Thats why since the 2000's IA has developed and is deveolping AREN, ASCOM, Troposcater and SATCOM communication systems.
On the night of November 26, 2008, ten heavily armed terrorists reached Mumbai's shores and carried out coordinated attacks in India's financial capital, leaving nearly 200 people dead, stunning the nation, and spurring the country to further spruce up its defence infrastructure.
Although India has emerged as a Civilian IT power, this power is yet to be fully exploited for national security and defence.
IMHO we very much have the capability of SIGINT, COMINT and IMINT, MI doesnt just sit on its arse doing nothing. Granted, there is scope for improvement of course but it is as far as the 13 Dec. attacks and even Kargil war are concerned, the problem lay in the inefficient linking of the data gathering and analysis and acting upon it in the real world. The problem lies with Intelligence, it was not a SIGCOM blunder, it was an INTEL failure.
In the aftermath of the Mumbai terror attacks, India has realised the importance of communication infrastructure as an integral component of military strength.
It is incorrect to say that the realisation has come due to aftermath of Mumbai terror attacks, the need for modernisation in the technical areas of signals and comm was felt as back as in 67 when the MCTE was established, and they have been continuously expanding.
India now has the opportunity to look to other countries, facing similar challenges, for insight into improving its military infrastructure.
Being done, Signals officers don't go abroad for research and training just to enjoy the change of atmosphere like beaurocrats, they go there for a reason.
Every military faces the painful reality that it is cheaper, easier and faster to bring down an army's communication network than it is to fight it.
"An army that cannot talk cannot move. An army that cannot move cannot fight."
True, and it goes both ways, but the effectiveness of our Counter-Commint ops would be quite difficult to access before an actual war, though it does seem China has an edge over us in this.
Secondly, this is precisely the reason why we cannot solely depend on technology and network centricity, technology can be brought down, the more dependence on tech, more chance there is of failing miserably when the support system is brought crashing down, conventional skills still reign supreme as of now.
Done and being expanded
Network-Centric Warfare
Implementing NCW
It is the Indian Army's goal to make IA a Network Enabled Force by 2012 and Network Centric Force by 2017 (and IA is in habit of achieving its goals within time, not like DRDO).
It ll be good to see Major DCL officially confirmed as a thick-skinned alcohol guzzling dinosaur!
