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FEATURE/REPORT |
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Basic Instincts |
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The Battlefield Management System — Army’s Preserve? |
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A FORCE Report |
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Battlefield Management System (BMS) in most foreign militaries, especially in
advanced countries, implies an operational information system that integrates
all Services, flowing from the very military apex down to the fighting echelons
in the Tactical Battle Area (TBA). However, in the case of the Indian Army the
BMS is visualised at the Battalion Group/Combat Group level and below. This is
so, because the BMS was an afterthought in the army while arrangements for
battlefield management above the Battalion Group/Combat Group level were already
underway through initiation of other operational information systems, especially
under the Tactical Command Control and Communications System (Tac C3I). The Army
initiated the BMS when realisation dawned that a while the army would get
networked above Battalion Group/Combat Group levels in due course of time, the
cutting edge (Battalion Group/Combat Group level and below) will not be able to
benefit from this higher level net-centricity in absence of the BMS and overall
net-centric warfare capacity of the army would remain deficient. What about our
Para Military Forces (PMF) and Central Police Forces (CPOs), particularly those
battling the Maoists? There appears to be little thought being given to
upgrading their combat capacity by providing them a system like the BMS.
Battlefield Requirements
It is a well known fact that conflicts and wars are no more the domain of a
single Service. Future military operations will necessarily have to be combined
and joint. Practically all conflict situations will involve at least two if not
all the three Services. Conventional war, on the other hand, without doubt will
be a Tri-Service affair. The implications are that the combat force will
comprise of all arms and inter-Services elements. Operations will require all
arms cooperation including units and sub-units of other arms operating and being
subordinated to each other,
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plus their frequent grouping and regrouping in fluid combat situations.
Manoeuvre and fast moving operations will be the hallmark of combat. This will
require an accelerated decision-action cycle plus the ability to conduct
operations simultaneously within an all arms group. Effective command and
control across the combat force will be the very key to success. In order to
enhance the decision making and command capability, commanders at all levels,
particularly at the cutting edge level — will require real time requisite
information.
While loads of digital information is available even at the cutting edge (level)
in the army today, it is not integrated information and its usage cannot be
optimised. A solution, therefore, is needed to enhance operational effectiveness
of commanders and troops at all levels by enabling exchange, filtering and
processing of ever increasing amounts of digital information. The requisite
force multiplier can be acquired by appropriate harnessing of information
technology.
Why BMS
In simple terms, both the soldier and the commander want to pick up the enemy
much before he picks you up, see the target, direct fire in quick time using the
best weaponry available and monitor the after effects of having engaged the
target(s). However, in the current context, the army lacks an integration tool
supporting every level of military users ranging from individual soldier to
Battalion Group/Combat Group Commander in the TBA, which can provide in real
time or in near real time an appropriate, common and comprehensive tactical
picture by integration of inputs from all elements of the battle group.
Requirements at these levels are of battlefield transparency through situational
awareness and a Common Operating Picture (COP). However, in contrast to the
requirement of an integrated network system, situational awareness existing in
the army is presently on ad hoc basis. Most foreign armies have situational
awareness packages of various types, examples of which were significantly
visible in Iraq and Afghanistan. Our army urgently requires its own situational
awareness packaged customised to Indian requirements. Fielding of the BMS will
be an important facet of capability building in the army. The BMS will enable a
faster decision process by commanders at all echelons, enable better decisions
with reliable operational information provided in real time and be able to
telescope the sensor to shooter loop.
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SEPTEMBER 2012
Issue
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© 2012 FORCE ARROWHEAD MEDIA PVT. LTD. All Rights Reserved. |
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