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 The
related fields of communications and information technology
have seen an unprecedented growth in the last few years. This
has had its consequential impact on all facets of society -
the most affected being the Defence sector. The fact that the
revolution in informatics threatens to redefine the warfare
practices is common knowledge now. The term "information
warfare" is widely used and is a testimony to the
impending changes at all levels - macro or micro. In times to
come, the warfare would become far more complex in which
communications and informatics would play a greater role.
Our Army in general
and the Corps of Signals, in particular, have been at the
forefront in absorbing the information technology since
seventies. The state-of-the-art and exorbitantly priced
weapons demand adequate knowledge about communications,
computers and automation. Though these weapons have expert
systems built-in by the manufacturers, their usage, repair and
maintenance demand that we are well equipped to handle them.
Information is rapidly becoming a strategic resource as well
as a principal battle winning factor. The information
revolution is a product of advances in the computerised
information, telecommunication technologies and related
innovations. Out of this very fact is emerging the concept of
what we term as "information warfare."
The Corps of Signals
has got state-of-the-art tactical grid networks since 1989 and
at strategic level static networks since 1991 which have
served it well. As a part of an evolutionary process, the
Corps is constantly planning, executing and upgrading the
existing communication architectures. The Corps is in the
process of "test bed formulation" for
state-of-the-art tactical communication network for the field
forces which would also be the transport network for the
Command Control Communications and Intelligence (C3I)
architecture. As relating to static networks, the Corps is at
the execution stage for adding additional networks as part of
phase 3 of its structure based on the state-of-the-art ATM
technology. In addition, steps have been taken to develop a
strategic communications network. The intention is to exploit
optical fibre cable (OFC) based on terrestrial network as also
satellite connectivity.
While the proposed modern
architectures would take time for desired induction and
implementation, the Corps is constantly expanding and
exploiting its existing architecture with commercially
off-the-shelf communication and information technology
equipment with the right emphasis on value added services like
data, fax and video. The initial step has been the extension
of strategic communications network facility to all major
headquarters based on DOT hired OFC media, particularly on
account of 2/8 Mbps media connectivities. The subsequent step
has been in the formation of an overlay architecture to
create, firstly, high speed data channels for the Army
intranet and, secondly, to utilise the same overlay
architecture for voice networking between Army HQrs and
various important headquarters. This architecture has also
been utilised for introduction of video conferencing. To
provide communications to far flung inhospitable areas, there
has been a need for a high capacity space based media. The
quantum leaps taken by the nation in the field of satellites
could provide satellite based highways between the Army
Headquarters and formations on the front.
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