SP's Land Forces 5/2021

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ROUNDUP

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The ONLY magazine in Asia-Pacific dedicated to Land Forces

>> Lead Story

In This Issue Page 3 The FICV Saga

Photograph: Indian Army

The Indian Army is eager to get 1,750 FICV, for which RFI was issued for the third time on June 24, 2021. The proposed combat vehicle could be manufactured in India under the Strategic Partnership initiative.

Ranjit Kumar Page 4 Infantry Marches on Technology

SMASH 2000 Plus

Indian Infantry guarding Siachen Glacier, the highest battleground on earth

Digitisation permits the war fighter to communicate vital battlefield information instantly. The aim is to create a common operational picture (COP) of the battlefield at each level, from soldier to commander, which is based on common data collected through a network of sensors, battle management systems and weapon platforms.

Lt General Naresh Chand (Retd)

The Infantry — The Buck Stops at its Feet Infantry the world over has kept pace with the evolution of warfare. However, the Indian Army is lagging behind in its efforts to keep the Infantry comparable to the best in the world as far as its weapon and equipment profile is concerned. The Infantry of the Indian Army is in dire need of all round improvement especially in the areas of survivability, lethality and mobility.

Page 5 Infantry — The Indispensable Factor

 Lt General Dushyant Singh (Retd)

Introduction

At the culmination of any war or conflict, occupation of territory, tactically or as part of conquest, requires infantry to actually get in there. Ultimately it is boots on ground of the infantryman that will signal victory.

Lt General P.C. Katoch (Retd) Plus Appointment

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History of warfare is replete with examples where Nations have won the war but lost the campaign. While several factors may have contributed to the defeat of the aggressors in these wars but the quality of Infantry soldiers, their will to fight and unconventional strategy has been a major factor. Over dependence on technology, firepower especially in a predominantly unconventional battlefield and terrain such as mountains, high altitude, super high altitude areas (HAA & SHAA) and jungle terrain which are highly conducive for guerilla warfare and low intensity conflicts has been

the nemesis of many super powers. While human resource of all arms are essential for conduct of successful battle, bulk of our operations are dependent on the Infantry and Armour. Of these the infantry is almost entirely dependent on the “skill and will to fight” of its soldier? An Infantry man combines in him the twin function of platform and the weapon both. Further, one cannot do away with the infantry as it is the infantry which can traverse where no other arm can go. It is the ultimate arm to secure territory for any armed forces to claim victory.

Infantry an Indispensable Arm Land warfare doctrine, nature of threat, operational geography and availability of

technology decide the shape and structure of various arms in the Army including the Infantry. Nature of threat facing the country is unique. India is challenged by two major adversaries on either side of its land frontier. Northern and Eastern Borders are being constantly transgressed by the Chinese in the disputed areas since 1962. Their activities have gathered more pace since the 1998 nuclear tests. In addition, India continues to face threats across its Western borders since ages, making it look inwards and focus on territorial integrity rather than adopting an offensive approach. This forces the country to commit boots on ground to secure its land frontiers as it has to contend with a ‘no-war, no-peace’ scenario.

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E D I T O R I A L

>> LEAD STORY The 75th Infantry Day to commemorate the contributions of Infantry, the largest fighting arm of the Indian Army was celebrated on October 27, 2021. To mark the occasion, the focus of this issue is on the Indian Infantry.

The lead article is on infantry in which the author flags the preeminence of infantry in warfare which is supported by the fact that the highest number of martyrs & gallantry awards in the Indian Army are from the Infantry.

The ‘no-war, no-peace’ scenario constrains any major offensive but there is a high frequency of threats of low level conflicts in the form of border clashes and transgressions which need infantry. He

further points out that Infantry the world over has kept pace with the evolution of warfare however the Indian Army is lagging behind in its efforts to modernise its Infantry. He then highlights the major shortcomings & suggests that the Indian Infantry needs to plug the gaps especially in the areas of survivability, lethality and mobility. He further suggests major structural changes in all types of Infantry Battalions including Border Scouts.

The article on future technologies for the infantry stresses on the digitisation of the battlefield which is the application of information technologies to acquire, exchange and employ

timely information throughout the battlefield. It is designed to meet the requirements of commander, shooter and supporting elements in order to create a common operational picture of the battlefield at each level. Future battlefield will be defined by the internet of military things or entities which are connected to smart devices.

There is another article on infantry where the author states that at the culmination of any war or conflict, what will eventually matter is where your boots are finally on ground. Ultimately it is boots on ground of the infantryman that will signal victory.

After 2 failed attempts, the Indian Army which is eager to get

1,750 FICV, issued RFI for the third time on June 24, 2021. We have a report on this programme which could be manufactured in India under the Strategic Partnership initiative of the Ministry of Defence.

Wish you discerning readers a Merry X’mas & a Happy New Year.

Jayant Baranwal Publisher & Editor-in-Chief

www.spslandforces.com

Photograph: Indian Army

India has 14,103 kms of land borders of which 2,912 km is with Pakistan and 3,380 Km with China. This constrains the extent to which one can undertake an offensive against each other, hence low level conflicts in the form of border clashes and transgressions are a norm along the northern and the eastern borders. To deal with such threats there is a need for special forces and infantry backed by disruptive technologies.

Territorial Disputes along the Chinese as well as the Pakistani frontier with India are in plenty. Typically any territory under active dispute demands commitment of troops on ground to ensure territorial sovereignty.

Operational Geography of our land frontiers also constrains our ability to defend territories despite availability disruptive technologies. The entire border of India with China amounting to 3,380 km is mountainous, HAA or SHAA which needs predominantly Infantry to ensure territorial integrity. The impact and efficacy of firepower, communication, surveillance and other electronic equipment are restricted due to terrain and weather conditions. Also India has a long maritime domain comprising major Islands which need to be defended and entails boots on ground.

Efficacy of Technology in mountains as highlighted earlier will be limited be it air power, surveillance equipment, missiles, rockets, guns and tanks. Russia has carried out an in-depth analysis of the Nagorno - Karabakh conflict and have come to the conclusion that while the technology did play the deciding factor, it was the quality of troops (boots on ground) that also mattered.

The role of Infantry will remain critical and central to success in battle.

Internal Security commitment of the country ideally should not be allocated to the military. However, where such problems exist in close proximity to international unsettled and disturbed borders, then such responsibilities are best managed by the Army. China has also started following the theaterisation of their military and have allocated the responsibility of the defence of borders to the Theatre Commander i.e.

PLA and not the Border Defence Regiments.

Therefore, the requirement of the Infantry will continue to remain unchanged.

In the plains and the dessert sectors, there is a scope for reducing the Infantry provided it is backed by extensive mechanisation, improved mobility, lethality, and survivability. The battle field must incorporate disruptive technologies, overwhelming ground based firepower especially by the artillery, rockets and missiles and most importantly preponderance of air power for successful conduct of air — land battle.

The Shape and Structure of Infantry of the Future Infantry the world over has kept pace with

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Infantry men at the Line of Control with Pakistan

the evolution of warfare. However, the Indian Army is lagging behind in its efforts to keep the Infantry comparable to the best in the world as far as its weapon and equipment profile is concerned. The Infantry of the Indian Army is in dire need of all round improvement especially in the areas of survivability, lethality and mobility. Structural changes required in the Infantry are as follows: l Standard Infantry battalion would still be relevant in the Indian context but with a different outlook. Some of the fundamental transformations envisaged are: – Mobility and protection to key mobile elements of Infantry Battalion vulnerable to air and ground threats.

– Enhanced range organic fire power for greater self-reliance, lethality and staying power. Induction of 72,000 SiG Assault Rifles considered one of the best Assault Rifles which I have personally used while serving in the National Security Guard is a step in the right direction. Similarly, induction of the AK-203 through indigenous route besides strengthening the infantry will contribute towards Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative in Defence Sector.

– Capability to operate across the entire spectrums of conflict, including in an expeditionary role.

– Network centricity for better Identification of Friend or Foe (IFF), combined arms situational awareness and multi-spectrum communication compatibility. However care needs to be taken that he does not get overloaded with unwanted information. l Mountain Infantry Battalion besides retaining most of the capabilities of Standard Infantry Battalion, must possess following additional capabilities:– An infantry soldier must be equipped

with survival gear in cold and extreme cold climate.

– The equipment and weapon profile must be lighter and capable of functioning effectively in cold and extra cold climate.

– Within the constraints of mountainous terrain and weather conditions the Infantry Unit must be relatively more mobile than hither to fore.

Where feasible specialist vehicles to negotiate difficult terrain must be authorised in greater numbers such as all terrain vehicles, snow scooters and track expedients.

– Capability to fight for prolonged periods in isolated sectors.

– Authorisation of snippers in larger numbers with the flexibility to be employed either distributed to companies or concentrated as per the situation.

– Capability to leverage disruptive technologies like drones, EW, and robotics. l Mechanised Infantry (Tracked)’s present equipment profile, organisation and structure of Mechanised Infantry needs no major overhaul but need for enhancement in certain key capabilities are as follows: – Short range quick reaction Air Defence capability against low flying anti-ground forces fixed wing / rotary wing aircrafts over and above the existing anti-aircraft capability of 30mm canon of BMP-II platform.

– Upgraded Battlefield Surveillance Radar cover with enhanced range for better stand-off surveillance capability.

– Dedicated sub-unit for long range sniping capability.

– Upgrade mortars to 120mm Mortar systems with due modification of the existing platform. l Motorised Infantry (Wheeled) with survivability, lethality and maneuverability

of Infantry on the Western Front requires major up-gradation with the induction of motorised platform (wheeled) in line with the terrain profile of the western borders.

The wheeled platform should be ‘Make in India’ model for logistic and monetary ease of maintenance and procurement.

It must possess most of the capabilities of a mechanised infantry battalion, with some exceptions in capabilities related to firepower, armour protection and all terrain mobility. l Tailor-made Specialised Forces. The diverse nature of terrain configuration and threat profile do not permit ‘One Size Fits All’ approach in the organisational construct of Infantry. Some suggestions are as follows: – Scouts battalion concept was first coined in 1948 with the raising of ‘NUBRA GUARDS’, now LADAKH SCOUTS, to guard rugged and inaccessible Indo-Tibetan border of the Eastern Ladakh. Post revitalisation of northern borders in the wake of Galwan incident, the capabilities of these lightly equipped troops require augmentation by undertaking following measures:– Re-organising requisite number of existing infantry battalions with homogeneous ethnicity into Scouts battalions to increase availability of troops with reduced reaction time and familiarity with terrain and local customs.

– Restructure Scouts battalions on the lines of Special Forces.

– Special/Light Infantry Battalions need to be raised for Operational penetration on the lines of SF to offset their shortages. These troops must have special physiological attributes, knowledge of terrain and customs to survive in the hostile environment based on the sons of the soil concept to reduce reaction time.

Conclusion As evident from the preceding discussions India is also in the midst of a transformation of its Infantry, but its progress is tardy especially in equipping it. The personal weapon needs early replacement and force multipliers in terms of anti-tank, point air defence, disruptive, communication and electronic warfare capabilities need urgent improvement and attention on priority. Given the presence of multiple threats, it would be in our larger national interest to strengthen the military including the Infantry by making it future ready to respond in all spectrums of warfare as part of a Tri Service Combined Arms Integrated Response. SP The author is Ex Corps Commander 11 Corps, Ex Chief of Staff Eastern Command, Ex Commandant Army War College and Ex IG (Ops) NSG.

>> Modernisation

The FICV Saga The Indian Army is eager to get 1,750 FICV, for which RFI was issued for the third time on June 24, 2021.

The proposed combat vehicle could be manufactured in India under the Strategic Partnership initiative.  Ranjit Kumar

W

ill the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ campaign weigh heavily in favour of Indian designed and made Future Infantry Combat Vehicles (FICV), the supply of which has long been delayed? Indian army has now told the mandarins in Ministry of Defence that in view of the retiring Soviet model Infantry Combat Vehicle BMP-2, it is now one of its most urgent requirements.

After the previous two tenders could not materialise, the last - third tender, was issued on June 24, 2021. Since the army wants them to be delivered as soon as possible, it has been proposed that the combat vehicle could be manufactured in India under the Strategic Partnership initiative of the Ministry of Defence. According to Army sources, the Indian vendors can collaborate with international manufacturers, which can deliver 75-100 vehicles per year within two years of the signing of the contract. The Indian Army wants them to be equipped with 30mm main Gun and anti-tank missiles along with other firepower and capable of carrying three or more crew and soldiers.

The Indian Army is eager to get 1,750 FICV, which may cost around `60,000 crores.

The Request For Information (RFI) issued for the third time on June 24, 2021, has indicated that out of total supplies, roughly 55 per cent should be of Gun-version and rest would be specialist vehicles. The Specialist vehicles would deploy mini drones and kamikaze drones. Within two years after the contract has been signed, the Indian vendors can collaborate with the Overseas equipment manufacturers to supply 75-100 vehicles annually .

The overseas vendors interested in this mega $8 billion deal are the Russian Rosoboronexport, South Korean Hanwha, Italian Leonardo and the German Rheinmetall.

The Army headquarter has proposed a three stage induction process.The proposed three stage induction process has delineated Stage-1 for Limited series production (LSP), which encompasses 10 per cent of total contracted vehicles to be supplied over a period of two years , which can be estimated as 75-100 vehicles annually. The Stage-2 encapsulates Product improvement. In this phase 40 per cent of the contracted vehicles should be delivered over a period of 6-7 years. The third final stage, will involve technical upgrades for the rest of the vehicles.

The response to RFI is being assessed, which includes several Indian and international vendors. Among the Indians, the principal claimant is the DRDO, whose combat vehicle developer arm CVRDE is reported to have projected it’s designed vehicle, along with Tata Motors and Larsen and Toubro. Concept design by Tata Motors has already been revealed to the public. But the DRDO has pitched in strongly with CVRDE designed combat vehicle. DRDO has told MoD that it has core competence in developing the required system and technology.

Notably the Avadi (Chennai) based CVRDE (Combat Vehicle Research and Development Establishment) is the developer of India’s indigenous main battle tank Arjun, which is now being supplied to the Indian Army.

Senior officials and scientists of CVRDE are reported to have made presentations before senior officials of Army Headquarters and MoD, claiming that the Indian designed FICV can be a role model of Atmanirbhar Bharat. DRDO officials have offered to asso-

ciate Army Design Bureau for jointly designing the FICV which can meet the Qualitative Requirement of the Indian Army. It will satisfy the needs of the Army Headquarters, which can work in tandem with the CVRDE engineers and designers. The Army Design Bureau is required to facilitate research, design and development efforts which can fill the aspirations of the army combat officials.

According to sources DRDO has claimed to Army Headquarters that they can produce the combat vehicle in four years, which will be futuristically designed to meet the combat needs of the army for years to come.

MoD is reported to be in favour of the multibillion project be awarded to the CVRDE. The first formal move was initiated by Indian army in 2009 with a proposal of

its Mechanised Infantry Directorate being forwarded for urgent induction. In fact the FICV project was first moved in mid 2000.

Then, the estimated acquisition cost of the project was around `26,000 crore and project to be completed by 2022.

But the project faced several roadblocks and also cost issues. The Army headquarters restarted the project in 2017 after independent monitors gave green signal to proceed with acquisition process. In view of the huge cost involved and relatively peaceful border, an alternative proposal was given serious considerations for upgrading the existing BMPs of Indian Army. In 2014 a fresh idea was mooted to ask the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) to work on the proposal with the support of private sector companies. Several

such private companies Tata Motors, Mahindra and Mahindra, and Larsen & Toubro etc came forward and gave their proposals to MoD in 2019. The OFB and the BEML have strongly pitched for the project under Make in India initiative of the Ministry of Defence.

A decision to proceed with ‘Make in India’ stamp was agreed and MoD asked the opinion of the Army Headquarters. Since the project was initially approved under the Strategic Partnership model, the Indian Army moved ahead with this model in the latest tender.

The strategic partnership proposal can fast track the acquisition process of the FICV, but sources maintain that whatever the route, Indian Army will have to wait for next 7-8 years for its real positioning on the tensed borders of India with China and Pakistan. SP

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>> TECHNOLOGY

Infantry Marches on Technology Digitisation permits the war fighter to communicate vital battlefield information instantly. The aim is to create a common operational picture (COP) of the battlefield at each level, from soldier to commander, which is based on common data collected through a network of sensors, battle management systems and weapon platforms.

Photographs: Rosoboronexport, Sig Sauer

 Lt General Naresh Chand (Retd)

I

nfantry soldiers are trained, armed and equipped to fight on foot to close with and destroy the enemy.

Ultimately the infantry wins the war whether in offensive or defensive role; regardless of ample fire support from Artillery & Airforce. Thus, effective boots on the ground matter in land warfare, whether on the LOC, LAC or to counter insurgency/ terrorism.

With the advancement of technology leveraging every aspect of infantry to include superior weapons, communications, protection for the soldier, situation awareness, command & control systems, the first key development was the digitisation of the battlefield.

Assault Rifle AK-203

Digitisation of the Battlefield Digitisation of the battlefield is the application of information technologies to acquire, exchange and employ timely information throughout the battlefield. It is designed to meet the requirements of commander, shooter and supporting elements in order to provide the ability to each of them to have an accurate vision of the battlefield, necessary to support planning of mission & its flawless execution. Digitisation permits the war fighter to communicate vital battlefield information instantly rather than through slow voice radio. It provides integration of horizontal and vertical digital information network that ensure effective & rapid decision-cycle through command & control. It also supports synergy of battlefield fire and manoeuvres. The aim is to create a common operational picture (COP) of the battlefield at each level, from soldier to commander, which is based on common data collected through a network of sensors, battle management systems and weapon platforms.

The process of digitisation is under the umbrella of C4I2 (command, control, communications, computers, intelligence and information) systems in which, information technology plays a central role whether it is for communications, target surveillance, target acquisition, navigation or the ability of the soldier and commander to communicate with each other. US as usual were leaders in digitisation of the battlefield and through their Land Warrior Programme, identified five categories of modernisationlethality, mobility, command and control, survivability, and sustainment. Other examples are UK’s Future Integrated Soldier Technology’ (FIST) which a planned induction of 35,000 by 2020 (details not known) & France’s FELIN where about 22,600 French soldiers have been equipped with the system.

www.spslandforces.com

The Future Digitised Infantry Soldier The future infantryman will have the following requirements to be able to operate effectively in the digitised battlefield: l Better lethality which can be improved with better weapons & ammunition, having more lethality; more accurate target acquisition and aiming devices both by day and night. This implied that the sights will include laser range finder and night vision devices. l Command, control and communication is essential in the battlefield. The infantry man will be provided with both audio and video links for passing information

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SiG 716 Assault Rifle

and receiving information/orders. l Navigation can be improved by provid-

ing GPS or digital compass.

“Future Infantry Soldier as a System” (F-INSAS) The Indian Army launched, “Future Infantry Soldier as a System” (F-INSAS) Programme during 2005 to digitise the infantryman. The area of focus of F- INSAS was ‘Lethality; Situational Awareness; Sustainability and Protection’.

In January 2015, the Indian Army split the F-INSAS programme in favour of two separate projects; one arming the modern infantry soldier with the best available assault rifle, carbine and LMG, and personal equipment; and the second component is the Battlefield Management Systems (BMS) which included the computer and communications. The reason obviously was the cost & slow development of technology.

Truncated F-INSAS Progress SiG 716 Assault Rifles. India bought over 1.4 lakh of these rifles under two separate contracts. The SIG716 uses the more powerful 7.62x51mm cartridge.

Russia’s AK-203 Assault Rifles.

During August 2020 it was reported that MoD has decided to manufacture 7,50,000 AK-203 assault rifles under the ‘Make in India’ with license from Russia. AK-203 is the latest and most advanced variant of popular AK-47 that is famous for its lethality and reliability. In January 2019, an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) was signed between India and Russia. The Indo-Russia Rifles Private Limited was then set-up as a joint venture between OFB (with a 50.5 per cent majority stake), Kalashnikov (42 per cent), and Rosoboronexport (7.5 per cent), Russia’s state-owned defence export agency, under which the rifles would be manufactured. In the current reorganisation of the Ordnance factories into seven verticals, the production may become even more efficient to meet the target of 6,70,000 AK-203 rifles apart from the addition 1,00,000 units being imported from Russia.

LMG. The Indian Army started looking for a new LMG with the calibre of

7.62x51mm by sending a delegation during April/May 2019 to Bulgaria (Arsenal Company); Israel (Israel Weapon Industries) and South Korea (S&T Motiv Co.). Currently the Army is looking for 16,400 LMGs under Fast Track Procedure but seems to have made no traction.

Close Quarter Battle (CQB) Carbines. The UAE has pushed for the longpending contract for 93,895 Close Quarter Battle (CQB) Carbines for Indian Army won by its state-owned firm, Caracal. The carbine of Caracal was short listed but there is no progress so far reported.

Sako TRG M-10 Sniper Rifles of Finland. The TRG M10 is a bolt-action sniper rifle that is available in multiple calibres, manually operated and shoulder-fired, as well as magazine-fed. Details are not known but they are in service with Indian Army’s special forces.

Global Developments Exacto (Extreme Accuracy Tasked Ordnance). Defence Advance Research Projects Agency (DARPA) announced contracts to start designing a super, .50-caliber sniper rifle that fires guided bullets. Lockheed Martin received $12.3 million for the “Exacto,” project, while Teledyne Scientific & Imaging got another $9.5 million. Its optical sighting technology expects to greatly extend the day and night time range over current state-ofthe-art sniper systems. The system combines a manoeuvrable bullet and a real-time guidance system to track and deliver the projectile to the target, allowing the bullet to change path during flight to compensate for any unexpected factors that may drive it off course.

Computational Weapon Optic (CWO). DARPA is developing the CWO which is a rifle scope with smart-phone capability. It provides a ballistic solution, synchronised fire, fratricide detection, and command and control capabilities to the infantry. CWO includes Integrated laser rangefinder; night vision and thermal optics; Anti-fratricide system; Radio synchronisation & Applied Ballistics software for accurate firing.

The Internet of Battlefield Things (IoBT). The future battlefield will be defined

by the internet of military things or entities which are connected to smart devices, UAVs & a plethora of sensors including those worn by the infantry to produce a mass of actionable data by continuously communicating with each another. This results in an efficient coordination, learn, and interact with the physical environment to accomplish a broad range of activities. Conceptually it is designed to reduce much of the physical and mental burden that soldiers face during combat by creating directly a miniature ecosystem of smart technology capable of distilling sensory information and autonomously governing multiple tasks. The US Army lab created in 2016 the internet of IoBT project in response to the US Army’s operational outline for 2020 to 2040, titled “Winning during a Complex World.” It is highly futuristic.

Avalanche Warning and Detection Systems. Avalanche threat in the higher reaches of J&K and Ladakh has been more common during the last three decades. Seventy four Army personnel (mainly infantry) have died due to avalanches in the past three years (up to 2020). Indian Army is looking for systems which can search & warn about the location of humans during avalanches.

Wyssen Avalanche Control AG of Switzerland offers the following:l LIA acquires the snow-cover directly in the slope of the release areas by 3D laser measurement. Covering an area as big as an ice-hockey field, not only can it measure the absolute snow depth, but also other para metres. l GINA enables the monitoring of avalanche activity in specific avalanche paths. l IDA monitors endangered areas in order to ensure that no people are exposed to controlled released avalanches in poor visibility.

SMASH 2000. SMARTSHOOTER is an Israeli company which has developed stateof-the-art Fire Control Systems for small arms that significantly increase weapon accuracy and lethality when engaging static and moving targets, on the ground and in the air, day and night. The systems are based on Artificial Intelligence, Computer Vision and Machine Learning technologies.

The Company has developed counter low flying unmanned aerial system (UAS) versions of SMASH 2000 as follows: SMASH 2000 PLUS is based on the SMASH 2000 system but includes a Counter UAS Mode that provides for the kinetic elimination of small, low-flying UAS. SMASH AD includes an integrated Laser Range Finder (LRF) & can also receive and display target information from an external sensor, radar, or detection system. The SMASH AD promises precise, swift, safe and simple hard-kill elimination of UAS threats.

The SMASH HOPPER is a light-weight Remote Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS) using SMASH Fire Control technology.

SMASH HOPPER provides operators the remote capability to engage ground targets and small UAS. US Army, US Marine Corps & the Indian Navy have shown interest in the counter UAS system.

Indian Infantry is the military strength of a nation in war & deterrent in peace. It is in the heart of the fight, is relentless, is always there, now & forever. Our Infantry is the best & they deserve the best systems & technology. SP

>> OPERATIONS

Infantry — The Indispensable Factor At the culmination of any war or conflict, occupation of territory, tactically or as part of conquest, requires infantry to actually get in there. Ultimately it is boots on ground of the infantryman that will signal victory.  Lt General P.C. Katoch (Retd)

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n response to the 13th round of India-China Corps Commander-level talks in Eastern Ladakh on October 10, 2021, the statement issued by PLA’s Western Theatre Command (WTC) included, “China is firm in its resolve to safeguard national sovereignty.” Picking up on ‘sovereignty’, an Indian defence analyst went verbose on video that Ladakh is now a matter of sovereignty and that China’s war on India will be cyber, artificial intelligence, space, economic, algorithms, etc. and that the Indian Army should forget about “boots on ground”. Beijing would certainly be elated if we thin down our troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) but think about why the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has massed up troops on the India-Tibet border, moved up reserves and is developing the border infrastructure at furious pace?

Sub-conventional operations form a very important segment of war and the most important counter for this is boots on ground. Technology no doubt provides tremendous boost to proxy forces but no amount of technological advances can counter these forces without adequate boots on ground – latest example being the US-NATO debacle in Afghanistan.

With the type of hostile neighbours India has in China and Pakistan, together with unsettled borders and the illegal territorial claims by this evil duo, there is no way that India can dispense with boots on ground. Besides, Pakistan’s continued attempts of infiltration and its proxy war supported by China appears an unending affair at least till Pakistan is balkanised.

As for China, its new Border Law states, “The PRC’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is inviolable and the state shall take measures to safeguard them.” This very clearly relates to all illegal territorial claims that China has in India, Bhutan and elsewhere. The law demands that China should speed up construction of civilian and border infrastructure and while emphasising jointness it gives complete overall authority to the PLA in border areas.

China has been practicing ‘Legal Warfare’ over the past decades by ‘fabricating’ and building evidence to justify its illegal territorial claims. The new Border Law is a mischievous adjunct to China’s ‘Legal Warfare’. The important issue to note is that while the Border Law legitimises China’s sovereignty over disputed areas along the Indo-Tibet border through establishment of permanent infrastructure in these areas, Beijing’s illegal territorial claims in India are much more than what the PLA is occupying presently. Hence, China can be expected to continue its aggression.

At the culmination of any war or conflict, what will eventually matter is where your boots are finally on ground. This is irrespective of the means employed in the war or conflict through the use of ground, air, sea, space, cyber-space, electromagnetic, economic and what not. And, most importantly the boots on ground translates basically to the Infantry. Extreme amounts of firepower can be brought on to the target by air, artillery, unmanned platforms or

space but this cannot find the enemy, cannot totally pin him and cannot control territory or area. Ultimately it is boots on ground of the infantryman that will signal victory.

The air power and artillery barrage may destroy over ground structures and cause some damage to underground defences too, but that means little if the enemy continues to hold the ground and can rebuild. Occupation of territory, tactically or as part of conquest, requires infantry to actually get

in there. As a result it is the most important element of war. It’s easy to fly in and bomb targets, but losing men and equipment in an effort to take and hold the objective, especially in conventional war, which also requires using combined arms to facilitate resupply, Infantry is the most underrated part of the military.

That is why in acknowledgement of the above, Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery had said, “The least spectacular arm

(Infantry) yet without them you cannot win a battle, indeed without them you can do nothing — nothing at all.” Montgomery’s contemporary Field Marshal Archibald Wavell elaborated the importance of Infantry further and famously said, “When it was victory, the cavalier claimed it outright, the gunner boasted of his caliber, the engineer and signalman publicised their worth, but the infanContinued on page 7...

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>> Interview / Hensoldt

Andleeb Shadman, Managing Director, Hensoldt

Xpeller — Protection from Dangerous High Flyers, the Threat from the Air

In an interaction with SP’s Land Forces, HENSOLDT looks back at the successful launch of its Xpeller business globally and its plans for India market

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onitoring the airspace is an important task. Even more so when dangers are becoming smaller and smaller: The use and circulation of small drones has increased substantially over recent years and months. While some regulatory frameworks exist, their implementation has proven difficult in practice. Airports especially are high-risk areas, as a collision between drones and airplanes – whether intentional or not – may result in accidents and even deadly crashes. Added to that the risk of drones employed as weapons by dropping explosives, biological or chemical substances, it becomes clear that airports and other critical infrastructures must be continuously monitored, secured and have access to means of intervention in cases where drones may enter their airspace.

SP’s Land Forces (SP’s): Can you please share with us more about HENSOLDT Xpeller System?

Hensoldt: The name Xpeller is derived from the idea of expelling an intruder. HENSOLDT has developed a powerful modular system by adding radio detectors and countermeasures to some of its existing and proven technologies for monitoring airspace using radar and cameras. This system can locate and classify even small hobby drones at a range of several kilometres.

HENSOLDT technology enables sensitive sites, like airports, sports stadiums or industrial operations, to match solutions to their exact requirements, whilst avoiding the risks associated with a hard kill.

High-resolution cameras make it easier to determine whether there is a serious threat.

If so, the threat can then be countered by choosing appropriate countermeasures.

The Xpeller approach towards countering the UAV threat is based on a multi sensor/ effector layer and a three step workflow: l Detect the potential threat with the best possible probability of detection. l Identify the potential threat as an actual threat with the least possible false alarm rate. l Act on the threat by raising alarms, or engaging the threat with a counter measure.

Xpeller is highly efficient, modular and scalable counter UAV system designed for civil and military domains. The system allows combination of radar, electro-optical and RF signals, all integrated in operational software for an optimised detection of unauthorised drone threats. The resulting signal domination allows an optimised usage of countermeasures such as intercepting signals to defeat the drone threat successfully.

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SP’s Land Forces 5/2021

HENSOLDT’s Xpeller counter UAV system

SP’s: What differentiates HENSOLDT Xpeller from the rest of the brands in the market?

Hensoldt: The Counter UAV solution market has been consistently growing with increasing in threats due to terrorism and illicit activities across the world and rising incidences of security breaches by unidentified drones.

There are been numerous players in the market acting locally and globally offering variety of solutions.

The key differentiating factors for HENSOLDT solution are: l Mature and already in-service l Scalable and modular solution framework catering to different needs of customers l Man portable, Vehicle mounted and Fixed installations l Catalogue of sensors and effectors to pick and chose

Xpeller is highly efficient, modular and scalable counter UAV system designed for civil and military domains

l Very high probability of intercept and

very low false alarm rate l Limited Interference with friendly use of

air-space and spectrum. l Complete solution available based on

inhouse-products with no third-party interdependency.

SP’s: Are there any successful stories?

What is the most recent one that is worth mentioning?

Hensoldt: The recent deployment of Xpeller during the Dutch Day of Remembrance in Amsterdam in May 2020 is one of the most recent successful introduction of Xpeller as a service.

The system selected in this case consisted of two SMS-D, made up of a Spexer 360 radar, daylight and thermal cameras, in addition to one Spexer 500, two Skyscan 7x and one Jammer. On location, these various sensors where set up on two buildings approximately one kilometre apart to ensure the best radar and DF coverage. Coverage maps options in the CxEye software allows operators to optimise sensor placement quickly and efficiently. Using a comms link to join the different locations, Xpeller provided a common operating picture with fused radar, camera and DF information, and a live-stream of the operating picture was provided into the police headquarters.

The request had been made by the National Police as part of a task force

including the Royal Netherlands Air Force and Army, only three weeks before the event. HENSOLDT’s Xpeller team responded with resources from Germany, South Africa, the UK and the Netherlands. Because of current COVID 19 restrictions, the equipment was shipped from different locations and set up the day ahead of the event with remote support from the all the involved entities. The successful deployment was closely monitored by representatives of the authorities involved.

Besides this, HENSOLDT also demonstrated its Xpeller counter-UAV system in 2018 at the Airbus airfield in Hamburg.

During the demonstration, Xpeller detected UAVs approaching from a number of locations and was able to identify a variety of UAVs, including small recreational models, from a distance of several miles away.

Among our most recent successes is supporting the German Armed Forces in the protection of their forward operating bases in their operational areas.

The Xpeller modules are used as part of container-based drone defence systems within the GUARDION overall system of ESG Elektroniksystem- und Logistik-GmbH and its partners for a total of five drone defence systems. “The Spexer2000 3D radar is characterized by outstanding detection capabilities, especially against asymmetric threats.

The Z:NightOwl M camera was specially developed for high ranges. With it, we support drone defence against so-called Class I drones, that is, unmanned aircraft weighing up to 25 kg.

SP’s: What are your plans for India Market?

Hensoldt: India is the vast country with challenging security situations. There have been several instances related to drone threats in civil and military areas.

We are also cognizant about India’s uncompromising focus on Military self- reliance through “Make in India” policy. Our proposed approach is to offer complete Xpeller solution framework to Indian customers. Through a Joint development we could realise an Indigenous Counter UAV solution in the most practical and incremental way, for example in supporting Indian capabilities like Sensors or 3rd Party Hard Kill effectors with selected Xpeller modules.

Currently, we are working on a few projects in India with multiple Government agencies and successfully concluded field trials. We have been able to achieve a Jamming range of up to 10.4 Km for small drones. Our talks with Indian stakeholders are at mature level and Xpeller system for trials to Indian customers will be on field soon. SP

>> OPERATIONS Infantry — The Indispensable... Continued from page 5... tryman stood silent with victory at his feet.”

The saga of sacrifices and victories of the Indian infantrymen before and after Independence are well scripted and need no elaboration.

A post on social media by a veteran says, “the word Infantry comes from the French word ‘infanterie circa 1570 AD, from an even older Italian word ‘infanteria’, meaning ‘foot soldiers’; but Napoleon called his guns the ‘Queen of The Battle’; the British coined the word as they would not name or settle for an acronym of ‘His Majesty King of the Battle’; therefore, the British termed Infantry as the ‘Queen of The Battle’, and keeping aside inhibitions of the British, in actual terms the Infantry is an indispensable factor – ‘Master of the Battlefield’.

Another explanation why the Infantry is called the “Queen of Battle” is because the queen is master in the game of chess, which is synonymous with the chessboard of the battlefield. The infantry is the main land combat force of the military during war and no-warno-peace or peace. The Infantry has much greater local situational awareness than other military forces, due to their inherent intimate contact with the battlefield assisted with modern surveillance means including drones.

Above is vital for engaging and infiltrating enemy positions, holding and defending ground, securing battlefield victories, maintaining military area control and security both at and behind the front lines, for capturing ordnance or materiel, taking prisoners, and occupying the objective(s). Infantry can more easily recognise, adapt and

APPOINtMENT

to be the most cost-effective. Infantrymen are rarely limited by terrain and are necessary to supplement almost any force. Thanks to the massive variability in infantry equipment they (as long as they are correctly equipped and trained) are almost always threat to any enemy force and can never be taken lightly with anti-tank launchers, drones and shoulder-fired air defence weapons deterring low flying jets and helicopters. Furthermore built up areas and cities, which are death traps for armies in modern combat, can only be taken and held with infantry support.

Mountains, especially high altitude, favour the defender. Pakistan has made scores of attempts since 1984 to capture our posts on the Saltoro Range in the Siachen Glacier area but has failed miserably in each of these attempts – thanks to the infantrymen. The advantages of operations in winters are: poor visibility; reduced flying dayshours for surveillance sorties on account of weather; lowered guard of defender in times of snow storms; terrain permitting, use of skis or snowmobiles for faster induction and taking detours to avoid detection, and; higher helicopter carriage capacity because of low temperatures.

Initiative pays handsome dividends in difficult terrain and difficult weather, as can be seen from the initiative taken by our infantrymen in capturing of Bana Post on Saltoro Range in Siachen glacier area in 1984 and occupation of heights south of Pangong Lake, Chushul and Kailash Range during the Chinese aggression in Eastern Ladakh in 2020. Infantry units, their Ghatak Platoons,

Lt General Nav K. Khanduri has assumed command as GOC-in-C of the Western Command on November 1, 2021. He is the first officer from the Army Air Defence to be elevated to the rank of Army Commander. Earlier, Lt General Khanduri served as the GOC 33 Corps in the North-East and as DirectorGeneral of Operational Logistics and Strategic Management, at Army Headquarters. Commissioned in December 1983, he is an alumnus of the Rashtriya Indian Military College and the National Defence Academy.

Infantry is the most easily delivered forces to ground in combat areas on foot, by vehicles, sea or air transport. Infantry can also be inserted directly into combat through amphibious craft, by air for air assault using parachutes (airborne infantry) or through helicopters in airmobile role. They can operate in a wide range of terrain inaccessible to military vehicles and can operate with lower logistical burden as compared to other forces, which is vital in mountainous terrain and high altitude areas.

The significant issues is that infantrymen bear the largest brunt in conflicts and war, as is proved by statistics; measured by the number of casualties, discomfort, fatigue, and both physical and psychological stress. The life of an infantryman is filled with sacrifices and stories of bravery and courage. From fighting enemies in the front lines at our bor-

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Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Jayant Baranwal Deputy Managing Editor Neetu Dhulia Senior Editorial Contributor Lt General P.C. Katoch (Retd) Senior Technical Group Editor Lt General Naresh Chand (Retd) Air Marshal B.K. Pandey (Retd) Principal Correspondent Ayushee Chaudhary Contributors India General V.P. Malik (Retd), Lt General Vijay Oberoi (Retd), Lt General R.S. Nagra (Retd), Lt General S.R.R. Aiyengar (Retd), Major General Ashok Mehta (Retd), Major General G.K. Nischol (Retd), Brigadier S. Mishra (Retd), Rohit Sharma Chairman & Managing Director Jayant Baranwal Executive Vice President (Planning & Business Development) Rohit Goel Manager – HR & Admin Bharti Sharma Deputy Manager – Circulation Rimpy Nischal Group Research Associate Survi Massey Design Sr. Designer: Vimlesh Kumar Yadav Designer: Sonu Singh Bisht Group Director – Sales & Marketing Neetu Dhulia Deputy Director – Sales Rajeev Chugh SP’s Website Sr. Web Developer: Shailendra Prakash Ashish Web Developer: Ugrashen Vishwakarma Published bimonthly by Jayant Baranwal on behalf of SP Guide Publications Pvt Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, photocopying, recording, electronic, or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publishers.

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Infantrymen bear the largest brunt in conflicts and war, measured by the number of casualties and both physical and psychological stress

respond to local conditions, weather, and changing enemy weapons or tactics. They can operate in a wide range of terrain inaccessible to military vehicles, and can operate with a lower logistical burden.

The infantryman must have good fitness levels; excellent communication skill; ability to think on his feet and stay cool under pressure; capacity of taking and following orders from superiors; ability for teamwork; self-discipline; confidence; initiative, and; knowledge of local language and customs where warranted. Communication skills are even more important in insurgency areas and interacting with civilians for winning the hearts and minds of the population, as also humanitarian relief during disasters.

There are times, especially in combat zones, where the work can be dangerous, and indeed life-threatening, and an infantry soldier must be prepared to work under these conditions in order to carry out his role. The work of an infantry soldier is predominantly conducted outdoors, such as patrols and training. As front line troops, there is a great importance on maintaining an extremely high level of physical fitness, as he is expected to carry out demanding work under high stress levels and so he must have the endurance to still do the job. This requires extreme dedication and self-discipline.

A dispassionate analysis would lead to the conclusion that the infantry lends itself also

cluster of Ghatak Platoons in conjunction Special Forces can pay handsome dividends anywhere and everywhere.

It is rightfully said that should war between nuclear armed powers break-out and full-scale war is not the option because of tactical nuclear weapons, no large troop concentration would be safe. It is the well trained infantry especially that would be a major if not ‘the’ major shaker and mover of the war. With the increasingly aggressive behaviour of Beijing, if China goes for a limited war, President Xi Jinping would most likely test all his latest weaponry; hypersonic platforms, swarm drones, precision guided munitions (PGMs), E-bombs and the like. Mechanised forces in the open may be the first ones to be targeted. Ultimately, it is the infantry that can be counted upon to finally deliver at the objectives.

Most importantly, though in recent decades, is the shift to asymmetric and small unit warfare; with the modern battlefield dominated mostly by counter-insurgency and peace-keeping efforts. Whether or not it is effective to deploy the army is something that is of hot debate but what is not in question is that if you do deploy an army to fight an insurgency it is the infantry that will be conducting bulk of the operations.

Infantry traditionally relies on moving on foot during combat but may also use mounts, military vehicles or other vehicles.

der to rescuing citizens of the country from earthquakes, floods or conflict zones, a foot soldier’s importance in our lives is enormous.

His life is a life filled with pride and dignity.

Statistics prove that bulk of the casualties in war and no-war-no-peace in the Army over the years have been caused because of ‘unavailability’ or ‘lack’ of requisite body armour and helmets. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Ironically failed to produce state-of-the-art small arms, not even a proper assault rifle. Needless to mention that with mobilisation along the entire LAC, Pakistan’s heightened proxy war, the dual front and the possibility of limited war, the infantry will be stretched and under enhanced stress.

Some steps have been taken in recent times to equip the infantry especially after last year’s Chinese aggression. But much, much more is required to be done to equip the infantry as a whole to improve the firepower, surveillance, communications, survivability, protection and mobility of the infantryman.

Someone has rightly said that “Armed Forces are the last bastion of the nation; the Infantry is the first and last bastion of the Army”.

If it were not for the infantry, it would have been difficult to save Kashmir from the Pakistani invasion in 1947-48.

Let us hail the Infantry and pay homage to the brave Infantrymen who have laid down their lives in service of the nation. SP

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