Very soon, generals sitting at Army Headquarters will be able to talk to battalion commanders posted in forward areas. In a move designed to boost the Army’s drive to improve two-way communication between Army commanders and their formations, the Army’s Signal Corps is preparing the Tactical Communication System (TCS). The system is expected to be implemented this year in a phased manner.According to Lt Gen D.P. Sehgal, Signal Officer-in-Chief, TCS has been approved ‘‘in principle’’ by the Centre and may be implemented by the the year end. This will help battalions in remote areas to communicate with their commanders and transmit huge volumes of voice and fax data for real time decision making. With network security in mind, Sehgal said that ‘‘it is being ensured that adequate media and security envelope is provided at all levels’’.Meanwhile, the Corps is also working on an ambitious plan to set up an Internet protocol network of its own. Termed Loginet, it will provide real time communication and also network the various computerisation programmes being undertaken by the Army. Loginet will help troops posted in field areas to send across data at the click of a button. Senior Corp officers say it will boost intelligence gathering and aid commanders in taking decisions based on real time data.
