Lt Gen (R) Kapil Agarwal
a 6 mins read.
TECHNOLOGICAL TRANSFORMATION
Under the leadership of General Manoj Pande, the Chief of Army Staff, the Indian Army is set to make history. On the occasion of Army Day 2024, he declared, “The Indian Army shall be observing the year 2024 as the Year of Technology Absorption. This theme underscores our commitment to leverage technology as a catalyst for transformative change…….”. The year 2023 had been earlier declared as the “Year of Transformation” and logically the organisational/doctrinal transformation has to be accompanied by technological transformation which in turn is predicated on Technology Absorption. The Russia – Ukraine war has injected all together new perspectives into the warfighting doctrines and given fresh impetus to the induction of new weapons, platforms and equipment, with state-of-the-art multi-disciplinary technologies. However, transformation by mere induction of high-tech gizmos in the Defence Forces is never enough; Technological Transformation needs to be accompanied by initiatives for Technology Absorption encompassing suitable organisational structure, upskilling of human resources, appropriate sustenance engineering, adaptive logistical support with Indigenous backup as far as possible.
The technological transformation underway in the Indian Army involves the induction of new weapon systems and platforms like Drones, including Armed Hexacopter Drones (Sirin), Artificial Intelligence (AI) Enabled Loiter Munitions, Light Armoured Vehicles (Zorawar), Future ICVs (Abhay), Ultra-Light Howitzers, Self-Propelled Artillery (K-9 Vajra), Anti Satellite Missile Systems, Air Launched or Cannon Launched Anti-Tank Guided Missile Systems, Theatre Quasi Ballistic Missiles, Attack Helicopters (Apache and Prachand), Hypersonic Cruise Missiles, Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs), Anti Material Rifles etc. The transformation also includes the induction of systems like the Internet of Military Things (IoMT) for enhancing Real-Time Situational Awareness on the battlefield and Decision Support Systems for Commanders, supporting digital combat.
If a plethora of new technologies are nearly simultaneously introduced, it is bound to pose challenges in their assimilation by the organisation and its rank and file. There is an added challenge of operating and sustaining legacy weapon systems and equipment, which form the majority of the inventory.
TECHNOLOGY ABSORPTION
The thematic diagram below explains this (indianarmy.nic.in). However, an examination of the important ingredients of this strategy and its present status will help in reflecting on the future course of action. The army has a systematic way of planning the induction of new weapon systems, whether imported or indigenous. However, if a plethora of new technologies are nearly simultaneously introduced, it is bound to pose challenges in their assimilation by the organisation and its rank and file. There is an added challenge of operating and sustaining legacy weapon systems and equipment, which form the majority of the inventory. Thus, it is imperative to upgrade these systems, wherever possible, with new technologies and focus on the technological readiness of the organisation, its human resources (training), requisite engineering support, commensurate logistics, and civil infrastructure will aid synergy.
MAPPING FUTURISTIC AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
Each of the weapon systems and platforms recently inducted or ordered is a system of systems with an eclectic mix of state-of-the-art technologies.
Artificial Intelligence (AI). It has found vast applications in military surveillance, intelligence gathering, decision-making, and logistics. It has especially become a valuable tool for drone piloting as it allows drones to maintain their performance while navigating hostile or previously unknown areas.
Drones Technology. The combination of more compact components and increasingly accurate AI has enabled the automation of a multitude of services by drones. Surveillance drones, AI-enabled loiter munitions and drone–missile complexes have emerged. The Simulator Development Division (SDD) has adequately demonstrated its expertise in drone tech during the Swarm Drone Demo on Army Day 2021
Robotics. Robotics exploits the advancements in AI, Nano Technology and Autonomous Devices. Its essential components include Sensors, Actuators, Controllers, Drives, End-Effectors, Communication etc. These robots can operate in hazardous environments and perform strenuous tasks more efficiently while reducing the risk to soldiers.
Sensors. These are integral to almost all the weapon systems and platforms, as well as Battlefield Surveillance Systems. Sensors are used in flight control, propulsion, weaponry control, indicators, communication, etc. These are also used in explosive detection systems and Intrusion alarms
Uncooled Thermal Imaging (TI) Technology. The Uncooled TI technology is fast replacing the Cooled TI technology (DDC-based TI systems) and is now being employed in Infantry Small Arms sights, Driver night sights in armoured vehicles, night sights for missile launchers, as well as other Air Defence and Artillery equipment.
Advanced Metallurgy for Artillery Guns. Titanium and its alloys are being used in Artillery systems like Ultra-Light Howitzers. That can effectively reduce the weight of weapon systems while enhancing their mobility, survivability, and precision strike capability.
Immersive Technologies. It includes Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Metaverse. The Army is embracing immersive technology, or Extended Realty (XR), as a tool to help train soldiers and improve situational awareness and decision-making.
Blockchain Technology Army uses this distributed ledger technology for secure communications in various domains like Logistics, Supply Chains, for R&R on Operational, HR, Finance and Technical subjects. Officers have already been trained in this discipline of Computer Science and using it in Cyber security applications.
Big Data Analytics. Military applications are in the fields of Intelligence and surveillance, Logistics, HR, and Engineering Sustenance, with special utility in predictive and prescriptive maintenance of equipment. Combatant training from diploma to PG level (M Tech from IITs) has already been instituted.
TECH ENABLERS
Organisational Readiness. The recent reorganisation of the Army Headquarters and its linkages to the field formations and combat units will assist in the assimilation of technologies. In addition, there is a formal structure for Technology Transition Management at the field formation level, engaged in the process of dissemination and absorption of new technologies, functioning under the aegis of DG EME.
Upskilling of Human Resources Focus has to be on the upskilling of combatant operators of sophisticated weapon systems and technicians involved in their sustenance through a multi-pronged approach. Extensive use of Immersive Technologies and simulators is required at all levels.
Sustainment Engineering. The development of in-house engineering support and sustainment capabilities for modern weapon systems is a sine qua non for the effective absorption of cutting-edge technologies. This will require the modernisation of Army Base Workshops and lower echelon facilities. Requisite funds will have to be allocated for the modernisation of in-house sustainment facilities but it will be a few years before the process gets back on track.
Technical Infrastructure. The combatants responsible for engineering support to new-age equipment have to be empowered with suitable technical infrastructure like Clean Rooms for maintenance of sophisticated sights and sensors or facilities for Additive Manufacturing (3-D Modelling and Printing) or installation of Titanium Welding Machines etc.
Logistics Support Timely Provision of spares, assemblies, tools, and fixtures required for the sustenance of modern equipment is another critical factor in the Technology Absorption process. Major strides have been made in an ERP-based automated provisioning system, but its scope needs to be expanded with the introduction of dynamic Lead Time computation.
The rapid induction of a multitude of Disruptive Technologies necessitates a re-focus on organisational readiness to embrace these technologies, human resources readiness to assimilate these technologies, and infrastructural readiness to sustain these technologies.
STRENGTHENING THE ECOSYSTEM
The private sector is being encouraged to become an integral part of the defence industrial ecosystem. The DPP’s Strategic Partnership Model envisages long-term tie-ups between Indian entities and global OEMs to seek technology transfers and establish domestic manufacturing infrastructure and supply chains.
Setting up of two Defence Industrial Corridors in UP and Tamil Nadu is also a step in the same direction. As per the last available data, significant progress has been made; 108 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) have been signed with Industry in UPDIC, having a potential investment of Rs 12,191 crore (investment of Rs 2445 crore made), while in TNDIC, MoUs with 53 industries for potential investment of Rs 11,794 crore has been made (investment of Rs 3894 crore made).
BEYOND 2024
The Year of Technology Absorption will end in another six months, but the process has to continue. The rapid induction of a multitude of Disruptive Technologies necessitates a re-focus on organisational readiness to embrace these technologies, human resources readiness to assimilate these technologies, and infrastructural readiness to sustain these technologies. Effective absorption of these disruptive and autonomous technologies can offset existing combat differentials vis a vis our adversaries.
Technology insertion in any Force is a dynamic and continuously evolving process. Army is also saddled with the challenge of legacy equipment with technologies as old as 40 – 50 years. Some progress has already been achieved in the technological upgradation of Armoured Fighting Vehicles, their night fighting capabilities, as also Air Defence Weapon Systems. However, beyond 2024, it will be worthwhile to keep some targets like capping the legacy systems and technologies below 50% of inventory as well as their technology upgradation, targeted upskilling of combatants as well as modernisation of Sustainment facilities with the establishment of requisite technical infrastructure of an order of at least 80%. The constraining factor will definitely be financed, both the Capital and Revenue portion of the Army Budget. It is here that innovative technological ideas, continuous organisational drive, and focus will fulfil the objectives of optimal Technological Absorption in the Army in the years to come.
(Lt Gen (R) Kapil Agarwal, former Director General EME. He is an alumnus of IIT Kharagpur, having done MTech (Electronics). The views expressed are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The News Analytics Journal)
