Indian Army Tests Indigenous Battlefield Surveillance System

Indian Army Tests Indigenous Battlefield Surveillance System


The Indian Army is said to have tested a Battlefield Surveillance System developed ingeniously by DRDOs CAIR unit. The system a part of Indian Army's Tactical Command Control Communication and Intelligence System (TAC C3I).The system uses the BFSR Radar- which is a state-of-the-art lightweight, man-portable battery-powered electronic short range battlefield surveillance - BFSR-SR radar developed by the DRDO to provide all- weather surveillance against intrusion. The radar is capable of searching a specified sector and performing track while scanning for multiple targets. The radar detects, tracks, and aids in classifying the moving targets. There are also industry rumors that the Israeli firm Elbit's co-operation was secured in certain aspects of this project.C3I systemsDRDO, in cooperation with BEL and private industry has developed several critical C3I (command, control, communications and intelligence systems) for the services. The DRDO developed the Artillery Command and Control system for the Army. Known under the project name of "Shakti", the Indian Army aims to spend $ 300 Million to network all its artillery guns together using the ACCS, with the entire project completed by 2015.Developed by DRDO's Centre for Artificial Intelligence & Robotics (CAIR), the system comprises computers and intelligent terminals connected as a wide area network. Its main subsystems are the artillery computer center, battery computer, remote access terminal and a gun display unit. The ACCS is expected to improve the Army's artillery operations by a factor of 10 and by efficiently networking the artillery units, allowing for more rapid & accurate firepower. The ACCS will also improve the ability of commanders to concentrate that firepower where it is most needed. In January 2005 BEL received an order for a first batch of 50 Shakti systems, with over a 1000 to be purchased over time.The DRDO and BEL have also developed a Battle Management system for the Indian Army for its tanks and tactical units. Other programs in development for the Army include Corps level information and decision making software and tools, intended to link all units together for effective C3I (Communications, Command, Control, Intelligence). The DRDO is one of the key members in these projects, which are being driven by the Army's Signals Corp. The Indian Army is also moving towards extensive use of battlefield computers, such as the locally designed SATHI (companion]]) and these will be integrated into locally designed C3I networks.DRDO has also delivered projects such as the Combat Net Radio (currently in manufacture at BEL) and others for enhancing the Army's communication hardware.