Need to be network-centric; all IAF personnel soon to have 5G phones, says Chief of Air Staff

“A very important area is the critical information infrastructure. We are firmly of the opinion that if we are to be a force to reckon with, we need to be completely network-centric. And to do so, we need to have really robust networks — with embedded fifth generation technologies and adequate security features and redundancies. We have our terrestrial network called the Air Force Net. We have upgraded it to a software defined network. We have procured 5G handsets for all our personnel of the IAF. And by April, all personnel of the entire Indian Air Force, will hopefully carry a 5G enabled mobile phone on the Air Force Net,” the Air Chief said.

The network centric operations denote the use of information technology and computer networking tools to form networks of various force elements in an operation or conflict scenario.

Speaking about the shortening of the OODA (Observe, Orient, Decide and Act) loop to have an upper edge over the adversary, Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari said, “We have embarked on a journey to get software defined radios, newer data links, space-based communication and surveillance systems. We are focusing on 5th Generation technologies, all through the indigenous route.” The chief said that the Air Force was also looking at teaming the fighters with unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAVs) which is called Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T).

Further speaking about the network operations, he said, “To be able to reach a time and space in years ahead, where we can be truly network centric, we need to focus on three areas — ground network, airborne network and space network. We established a countrywide network back in 2004 which rides on multiple fibre optic cables and has a lot of redundancies. Thus, our ground network is very well established and all our applications are on it, particularly the air defence. We are now progressing to the airborne network through which we will minimise the sensor to shooter time. The space network will be over-encompassing all these networks. So the integration of this is a work in progress. We have taken major steps in this direction. And in a few years, we will be truly network centric in our operations. In our operations networks, 5th Generation technologies would mean we have predictive network analysis in all our security operations centres. Integration and interoperability of networks will be key as the future of any conflict will be multi-domain. It would require interoperability with not just two other services but also other agencies within the country. Our air defence networks are being integrated with the Army and the Navy. Other communication networks will be integrated in due course of time. The day is not far when all of us will be on the same platforms when it comes to communications.”