Air & Missile Defence India Seminar & Exhibition 2022 was organised by Indian Military Review and CENJOWS on 15 July 2022. The objective was to provide a forum for interaction between the armed forced and industry to deliberate, appraise and redress contemporary issues pertaining to air and missile defence. Various domain experts expressed their views on threats and countermeasures and need for certain technologies. Senior representatives from industry elaborated upon the growth of self-reliance and ongoing and future development of required technologies.

Seminar Sessions

Five seminar sessions included topics like Emerging Threats and Countermeasures; Emerging Technologies; Upgrades, Optimisation and Self-Reliance; and Joint Planning and Conduct of Air Defence Operations.

Session I: Inaugural Session

The Welcome Address was given by Lt Gen Sunil Srivastava, Director, CENJOWS. He highlighted the significance of the event being held physically after two years of online conduct of events due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He extensively covered various conflicts and lessons to be drawn from them while underlining the significance of the air domain. He mentioned the need to leverage manned and unmanned platforms indigenously and analyse the threat landscape carefully. Comparative capabilities, he discussed components of People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and cautioned against growing Sino-Pak collusion. To cater to growing needs, he proposed the use of novel sensing solutions, counter stealth capabilities, high power data domain, sense of fusion, algorithms and AI; machine learning, counter-UAS, counter swarm capabilities, threat evaluation and assignment algorithms.

The Inaugural Address was given by Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari, Chief of Air Staff. He covered an array of topics. He emphasised that,” Air defence is an essential and continuous mission in peace time.”  He underlined the changes in the concept of air defence through lessons learnt from 9/11, Sri Lanka and Ukraine. He noted that proliferation and easy availability of platforms have made us highly vulnerable, due to utilisation by anti-national elements. Thus, he called for a threat scenario analysis. He stressed the challenges faced by us in speed spectrum besides the challenge for interception posed due to enormous speed difference in hypersonic weapons. He noted the increasing demand of joint operations, budgetary constraints and the need to make crucial technical choices. He emphasised the need to strengthen air defence through integration into a bigger network and that intermarrying of air defence system, passive and an offensive counter head was critical. He defined amalgamation of territorial and space domains as fundamental to future war fighting.

The Theme Address was delivered by Lt Gen SP Goswami, Director General Army Air Defence. In his address, he dwelled on the increasing criticality of the subject and accentuated the importance of army air defence as pioneers since 1940 with an emphasis on its operations in joint study groups. He emphasised on the need to evolve air defence strategy and sought answers on questions pertaining to stealth technology, carbon composite materials, variations of physical sizes. While addressing our needs, he focussed on the requirement of ECCM technology, modules to operate in a wider bandwidth with 2-3 bandwidths simultaneously. He said that incorporation of electronic IIF and improvement of scan technology will have to be incorporated.  He mentioned 3D and 4D radars as the mainstay of technology to counter threats. He highlighted quantum radar as a new area of research to ultimately replace current radar technology. He recommended the use of lighter missiles with better propellants backed by unjammed fuses and laser beam missiles as the answer to engagement of low RCS drones. He said that radar control guns will provide terminal defence against release from stand-off platforms. Lastly, he stressed on the imperative need for integration of various surveillance outcomes.

Navdeep Singh of Dassault Systemes gave an Introductory Talk on “Boosting Innovation and Operations Through Collaboration on a Digital Platform”. He noted the emerging threats in the landscape with emphasis on two challenges – how to integrate new technology and optimise legacy systems? He then presented the solutions available at Dassault Systemes highlighting their inter applicability across platforms through a data driven approach. He mentioned the use of such platforms by the Indian Navy.

Eli Hefetz of Rafael Advanced Defense Systems gave an Introductory Talk on their efforts towards manufacturing globally and drew a parallel towards their efforts in India to cater to Atmanirbharta including engagement with partners in industry, highlighting Rafael as a team player.

The Industry Perspective was provided by Col KV Kuber, Director Defence and Aerospace, Ernst and Young. He expressed his views on the Atmanirbharta initiative and the need for indigenised weapons. He listed future prospects and reported the key industrial developments in the domain. He further provided a roadmap for the development and upgradation of indigenised weapons, underlining their role in providing enhanced security and protection.

The session concluded with release of the IMR– EY Knowledge Paper on Air Defence 2022. 

Session II: Emerging Threats and Countermeasures

The theme of Session II was “Emerging Threats and Countermeasures.”It was chaired by Air Vice Marshal Makarand Ranade, ACAS Ops (Space), Air HQ. In his introductory remarks he stated obsolescence of our system and cyber threat as key challenges and suggested various countermeasures.

Gp Capt Prashant Arora, Air HQ spoke on “Russia-Ukraine War – Lessons from the AD Battles.” He extensively covered and compared the evolution of Russian air defence philosophy and the Ukrainian air defence philosophy, their Air Defence architecture and air operations. Broadly he covered – symbiotic relationship of air defence and offensive operations, co-ordination in employment of air defence systems, active and passive air defence against SSM threat, lethality of MANPADS, low observable technology, networked operations, geography and air defence. Key points include:

• Offensive air operations must complement AD operations: degrade the adversary airpower at source.
• Common AD communication network was essential
• Russians made extensive use of Active and Passive AD against SSM threat in the conflict
• Active and Passive AD measures against SSM threat have become mandatory in modern conflicts
• Missile defence systems, Terminal Weapon Systems, CIWS, Non-kinetic options, HAS, U/G complexes, dispersion of assets and agility are some of the solutions
• Mitigation of MANPAD threat is essential through countermeasures and sound tactics
• The procurement and employment of cost-effective and viable AD systems must to be continued owing to relevance in modern conflicts
• Importance of Low Observable technology for operations in dense AD environment
• Networked operations should be complemented by training and inter-operability

Brig Manish Kumar, Brig AD (Ops & C2) Army Air Defence Directorate, Army HQ, spoke on “Emerging Threats in the Indian Sub-continent”. He dwelled on classification of air threat, various platforms, air threat manifestation, nuances, emerging technologies, mitigation strategies, mitigation challenges, preferred mitigation philosophy and electronic warfare. Key points were:

• Emerging technologies in next gen aircraft include stealth design, carbon composites and low RCS
• Mitigation strategies in RPA are classified into:
  • Ultra-Low/Low Bracket – high rate of fire guns, fragmentation ammunition, AD sights, decentralised control
  • Med Bracket – Surveillance by active sensors, tracking and mitigation: Radar controlled gun systems and VSHORADS, centralised control
  • Deep Bracket – Surveillance by active sensors, tracking and mitigation: Radar controlled missile systems
• Army’s concern in Tactical Battle Area (TBA) – Air threat manifestation
• Low level threat critical for the Army in TBA
• Noted a progressive shift from manned to unmanned and platforms to weapons.
• Preferred mitigation philosophy for hypersonic weapons/cruise missile to be “Target the weapons systems ‘Left of Launch’.” 

Col Manish Sareen, Senior Director Land Systems, Rafael Advanced Defence Systems spoke on “Flexible AD resource deployment.”  He advanced the operational requirements – manoeuvrability, fast and flexible deployment, force protection, use of passive detection capabilities and reliability. He then introduced SPYDER All-in-One: A Complete AD Solution developed by Rafael. He enumerated its characteristics – response to saturated attacks, mature operational system, effective solution, high mobility, TMS, open architecture and all-weather operation. He explained its configuration and components – exMHR Radar and Toplite EO Sensors. He further presented details about three missiles and the range and systems. Lastly, he summarised all benefits of SPYDER.

Ran Marom, Vice President, Rada Electronic Industries spoke on “Tactical Air Surveillance and Emerging Threats.” He explained the tactical threats to airspace permeability in tactical forces, critical infrastructure and maritime. He further explained the common gaps through the purview of local air picture and local defence and analysed the use of MANPADS as potential effective countermeasures. He then proposed the use of RADA radars as current operational solutions. He presented the characteristics of USMC LMADIS, USMC MADIS, and US Army MSHORAD. He further explained NEM-TASK-Network-Enabled, Mobile, Modular Tactical Air Situation Kit and various software and hardware modules available under it. Under requirements for critical asset protection and gap filling, he listed:

• Low SWaP
• Very high reliability
• Effective range
• Unattended 24/7 operation
• Control Local AD assets
• Multi-mission – very high Pd and reliable tracking against widely varying threats
• Mobile
• SW-defined – easy integration and adaptation, future-proof SW upgrade
• Low cost of ownership

Session III: Emerging Technologies

Session III was chaired by Air Vice Marshal PV Shivanand, ACAS (Air Defence), Air HQ.

Air Marshal Daljit Singh from Rafael Advanced Defence Systems spoke on “Challenges of Optimizing the AD Array.” He covered the operational challenges of AD deployment – vulnerability of RF sensors, challenging terrain, multiple origin AD assets, redeployment in a dynamic environment, multiple threats and experience and expertise. He provided the following solutions:

• User friendly, upgradable and adaptive software tool to plan deployment/ redeployment of AD assets for adequate and optimum AD protection of VA/VPs against multiple types of threats
• Quick results
• Provide effective debrief and training tools for evaluation
• Tool to be available at all relevant C2 centers and standalone tool for forward formations.
• The tool is to be operationally mature and available Now.

He also spoke about the purpose, workflow and other capabilities of the Rafael AD Optimizer. These were:

• Training tool
• Exercise Debriefs
• Tool for offensive strikes
• Tool for Future Inductions
• He labelled the following as future blocks roadmap:
• Time line – waves of attack, fire capacity
• Advanced ECCM
• Manoeuvring Forces
• Connectivity to live systems

R. Suman, Senior Manager, Hind High Vacuum Company presented an overview of the company profile and history. He gave details about:

• Optics fabrication, materials
• Coating technology, capabilities, manufacturing
• ZnS, Domes, Periscope prisms, Night vision optics,
• Thin Film Characterization
• Lithography

Session IV: Upgrades, Optimisation and Self-Reliance

The theme of Session IV was Upgrades, Optimisation and Self-Reliance. It was chaired by Cmde Alok Ananda, Cmde Naval Ops, Naval HQ.

Air Cmde Vikram Gaur, Air Cmde Air Staff Requirements, Air HQ spoke on “Air Force upgrades and optimisation.” He highlighted how the Low Speed and Very Low RCS instruments have evolved as the emerging threats in the AD domain. He suggested procuring high-powered indigenous radars along with AWE&C capabilities and N-LOS systems as a counter to these emerging threats. Further, he reflected on how we can upgrade our present fleet of Mirage 2000, SU30 MKI, Jaguars, helicopters, etc, with BrahMos, Astra MK-I, Derby, Dhanush ATGMs, Spike N-LOS systems, EW suites (developed indigenously by DRDO and BEL) against the enemy.

Lt Col GNVS Vijay, GSO-1 AD (Procurement), Army Air Defence Directorate, Army HQ spoke on “Ground-based Air Defence Weapons’ Upgrades and Optimisation”. He brought out how ‘AD Battle is not sequential.’ He emphasised the following in the present scenario:

• Procurement cycles are considerably slower.
• Change is a constant phenomenon.
• Battles are getting more dynamic.
• Upgrades are getting delayed.

He highlighted how we face a dual challenge from the dated technology and the legacy platforms and our only way forward was to make the upgrades in the field of:

• Detection
• Interception
• C3 (Command, Control, Communications)

Capt SS Sinsunwal, Capt SR (ND & CMS), Naval HQ spoke on “Recent developments in Indian Navy’s AD capabilities.” He reflected on the fact how maritime air defence was quite similar yet distant from the conventional air defence. Further, he highlighted how leveraging ICT tools and awareness in this domain was the key enabler of the Net Centric Operations in the maritime domain.

Raghunandan Jagdish, Managing Director, Nandan GSE spoke on the “Customised Solutions for Missile Handling.” He presented an overview of the company profile and history. Further, he reflected on how ‘people’ serve as the weakest link in missile and bombs handling procedures and highlighted the need to revolutionise the missile defence and safe handing in India with the help of specialised lifting and handling solutions with applications in the aerospace, aviation, defence, material handling, car parking, and similar sectors.

Sunil Dhingra, Technical Executive, Industry Consultants Group, Dassault Systemes spoke on “Data Driven Program Governance & MRO on Digital Platform.” He stressed on the need of Optimised Design as the platform allows us to digitally innovate the product and allow us to digitally recreate the old technology and find prospects of optimising it.

Session V: Joint Planning and Conduct of Air Defence Operations

The theme of this session was “Joint Planning and Conduct of Air Defence Operations.” The session was chaired by Brig Manish Kumar, Brig AD (Ops & C2), Army Air Defence Directorate.

Air Cmde Manu Midlha, Air Cmde Ops (Offensive), Air HQ covered “Integration & Interoperability – Air Force Perspective.” He broadly covered the Principles of War, Characteristics of the Operating Medium and Tasks. He defined air defence as ‘a misnomer’ and labelled its military strategy based solely on defensive operations as reactive besides conceding time, scope and tempo to enemy. He talked about the under exploitation of air power capabilities. He highlighted the significance of offensive air power capabilities and characteristics of air power. He was of the view that Indian Air Force’s Air HQ has the highest authority with ultimate responsibility for the air defence of the country. He quoted Mitchell to substantiate his belief that the first battles of any future war would be air battles.

Under key approaches to ensure air defence, he covered:

• Surveillance and Early Warning – integration of sensors, integration of communications,
• integration of weapon systems
• Fire power upon enemy – airborne, ship/ land-based radars, MOP, civilian radars, naval air defence radars, army radars in TBA
• Centralised Command and Control – defence through offence, minimise risks, airspace control, efficient and flexible use of airspace by all elements
• Under the Indian Air Force Perspective, he presented the following points:
• Cohesive and synergized approach to AD is elementary to optimum response
• Offensive and defensive elements under one commander
• Resources irrespective of colour of uniform under functional control of one air commander

His recommendations included:

• Interoperability at architectural level key to ensure seamless integration
• Emphasis on integrated and secure communication network imperative for network centric warfare
• Naval and land forces can significantly enhance the defensive depth only if they are fully integrated within the AD system
• Failure to integrate can be disastrous in terms of fratricide
• Authority to approve, disapprove or dent combat operations vested in only one operational Air commander

Col Sameer Babu, Col AD, AAD Directorate covered “Integration & Interoperability – Army Perspective”. The main topics included were – current air threats, jointness in planning of air defence operations, jointness in conduct of air defence operations and areas of integration. He introduced the concept of embedded air defence and mentioned the role of Army Air Defence in conjunction with Air Force in all conflicts post-Independence. He presented a brief overview of the functions of Army Air Defence in joint operations at strategic, operational and tactical levels. He enumerated the following functions pertaining to jointness in conduct of air defence operations:

• Integration of Surveillance.
• Integration of surveillance inputs is supreme and time critical
• Geographical Basis of Control.
• All ground-based AD weapon systems in the geographical area of responsibility operate under the operational control of one joint entity at the tactical level
• Exclusive Engagement Zones.
• The induction of Long Range Surface to Air Missiles (LRSAMs)
• Mutually exclusive areas may have to be earmarked
• Maximum freedom of action to GBADWS
• Afford maximum safety to the interceptor aircraft
• Coordinated interplay between Surface to Air Missiles and interceptor aircraft
• Air Defence Battle Management.
• AD Control and Reporting System is the Army Air Defence Battle Management System.
• Highly reliable, responsive and flexible
• Backbone of robust communication network
• Distributed Architecture
• Upwards integrated architecture – integrated surveillance, control and reporting, weapon engagement
• Dynamic nature of weapons
• Temperamental communications
• Empowered and Decentralized Control and Reporting
• Real time situational awareness
• Afford battlefield transparency
• Infusion of technology
• Decentralized architecture
• Low flying low Radar Cross Section (RCS) targets in terms of RPAs, SWARMS and munitions will afford minimum reaction time.

Under recommendations in areas of integration, following were mentioned:

• Development of air and electronic intelligence
• AD policy formulation
• AD resource planning
• AD Control and Reporting and Airspace Control including integrated/ joint manning of control nodes
• Establishment and management of interoperable networks
• Integrated training
• Integrated logistics sustenance
• Integrated AD procurement and budget management
• Common manning/ staffing norms
• Situational awareness through Integrated
• Communication Networks
• Battle Field Transparency will provide
• Sensor-shooter linkage
• Robust and secure digital integrated communication network amongst the three services

Capt Vishnu V Reddy, Capt (Naval Plans) – Financial Planning, Naval HQ covered “Integration & Interoperability – Navy Perspective.” The major topics were India’s maritime security environment, air defence threats, air defence in maritime domain, avenues of overlap, offshore installations, ground-based air defence, command and control, communication systems and data links and integrated capability development. He emphasised that Indian Navy has to be self-sufficient towards AD and AMD at high seas. And stressed on the criticality of information sharing between IN and IAF for quick and precise AD action.

Under maritime security environment – he noted maritime terrorism, unresolved land/maritime disputes, Sino-Pak collusion, Chinese military/economic growth and nuclear armed neighbours to be some of many key factors influencing maritime security.

He further characterised the air defence threats into the following:

• Platform – conventional surface forces, sub-surface platforms, air platforms, land-based strike platforms.
• Kinetic Weapons – cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, hypersonic missiles, precision guided munitions.
• Non-Kinetic/ SEAD – EMP weapons, swarm drones, offensive EW, laser weapons.

Under the avenues of overlap, following points were mentioned:

• Offshore installations/ VAs and Vps
• Coastal areas
• Anti-ship strike and MR busting within ROA of IAD AD aircraft
• AD Cover for land forces, when required

The ways, means and ends to be met in AD in maritime domain were mentioned. Those are:

Ends.

• AD of Naval Assets at Sea – IN responsibility
• Battle groups/ single units to defend themselves
• Provide AD cover to escorted Convoys/HVUs

Ways.

• Naval operations/ tactics formulated to protect forces against incoming air strikes/ missiles
• Continuous Surveillance and Engagement Zones (Fleet/ Ship Air Defence Zones)
• Expanse of zones defined by Sensor and Weapon capabilities
• Catered for layered protection

Means,

• Integrated sensors
• Area Defence Missile Systems (LRSAM/ MRSAM)
• Point Defence Systems (SRSAM/ PDMS/ Guns)
• Decoys/ Chaff
• Organic Air Early Warning Assets
• Carrier borne fighter aircraft – CAP Role
• Organic air launched weapons

Following points were enumerated under integrated capability development:

• Joint capability development’s significance as the foundation for integration and interoperability
• LTIPP – Merger of capability requirements post finalisation of Service Capability Development Plans
• ICADS – Joint activity from initial stages
• ICDP – Inter service prioritisation and impetus on commonality

The speaker concluded with the following recommendations:

• Forces to be responsive, flexible and integrated
• Identification of specific and common tasks/missions enabled through network centric operations
• Key to affective and efficient AD
• Clear command relationships
• Shared responsibilities
• Common operating picture
• Communication networks
• Component of joint forces

The Vote of Thanks and Concluding Remarks was presented by Maj Gen Ravi Arora, Chief Editor, Indian Military Review.

The post EVENT REVIEW—Air & Missile Defence India 2022 appeared first on IMR.

The themes of eight sessions included emerging technologies and industry capabilities, air threat, integrated air defence battle, communications for the air defence battle, research & development (R&D) and ‘atmanirbharta’ in air defence.

Inaugural Session

Welcome Address. Lt Gen Sunil Srivastava, Director, CENJOWS gave the opening remarks with the salience of Air & Missile Defence in protection of national assets and during both defensive and offensive operations. He stressed that the deliberations were important especially in view of emerging challenges with new weapons, war fighting concepts and impending establishment of IADC.

Inaugural Address. Lt Gen AP Singh, Director General Army Air Defence (AAD) gave the inaugural address and talked about  air and missile threats, which, unlike in the past, have become potent and unpredictable. He highlighted the following issues:-

We are experiencing rapid change in technology in sensors and air defence weapons systems. In particular the stealth technology and unmanned vehicles present a formidable challenge.

Air defence equipment cost intensive and needs to be replaced in a phased manner, bearing lifecycle costs in mind.

Legacy equipment, therefore, needs to be sustained and upgraded.

Communication is the bed rock of air defence operations, which should be integrated, instant and real time.

The control of operations needs decentralization with distributed responsibility.

Work is in progress by both, Army and Air force to collate and present inputs of all sensors on one integrated platform.

Industry should offer solutions to upgrade/ modify legacy weapons.

Special Address. Air Mshl SP Wagle, Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (DCIDS) (Capability Development), gave a special talk. He mentioned that the current phase of reorganization into IADC would end the hitherto single service fragmented approach to air and missile defence. He highlighted the following issues:-

 The concept of operations and training has to change with integrated air defence operations.

To counter the emerging air and missile defence challenges, new weapons have either been acquired or are in process of being procured by the three services to beef up our air defence in all areas.

Rapid development of weapon technology means faster obsolescence of existing weapons. This poses a challenge in view of budget constraints.

Present day threat comprises a mix of disruptive and low technology weapons.

In the current warfighting scenario, even a weak country possessing low tech weapons can challenge a stronger nation. 

Expensive missiles/ weapons cannot be viable options to intercept / neutralize the low-tech weapons.

Since traditional threats will continue to exist with non-traditional threats, we have to develop capability to tackle both.

Industry’s R/D should keep focus on the current threats.

Use of Artificial Intelligence can shorten the OODA loop and enable safe operations without fratricide.

Access new technology to neutralize new threats such as unmanned / Hypersonic weapons and cruise missiles.

Besides active measures, passive measures and decoys still have great relevance.

Collaborative and joint approach by all stake holders in air defence is the way ahead.

Capacity of Indian Industry. Col KV Kuber, Director Defence & Aerospace, gave out the Industry Perspective. He said that Indian Industry had acquired skill and capacity to build sensors, missiles and tactical weapons and their ammunition for the armed forces. Several indigenous industries like Tata Advanced Systems, Adani, Reliance, Bharat Dynamics, Kalyani Group, BEL, BDL, etc, the have technology and capacity to meet the India’s air defence needs. But, still a lot needs to be done especially to tackle emerging threats in unmanned vehicles, hypersonic, stealth and cyber and electromagnetic domains.

Sessions and Speakers

Air Mshl Anil Chopra, Director Centre for Air Power Studies, chaired Session 2, the theme of which was Industry Capabilities. Ravi M, Bharat Dynamics Ltd. spoke on the work being carried out by BDL to manufacture missiles and the technologies available to them. Rann Marom, VP Business Development India, Rada Electronic Industries, spoke on his company’s capabilities, Abhishek Agarwal, Sr Manager, Saarloha Advanced Materials spoke on “Making India Self-reliant in Defece and Aerospace.”

Air Vice Marshal Makarand Ranade, ACAS Ops (Space), Air HQ chaired the session, the theme of which was “Contours of the Air Threat”. Gp Capt S Dhankhar, from Air Ops Branch, Air HQ spoke on “The Threat from Stand-off and Precision Attack.” Col Rajneesh Suyal, Col Weapons & Systems, Army Design Bureau spoke on “Emerging Threat from UAVs/ Drones.” Cdr Gokul Suresh, Cdr Aircraft Acquisition, ACNS (Air), Naval HQ spoke on “The Air & Missile Threat to Naval Assets.”

Air Vice Marshal PK Srivastava, former Director Bharat Dynamics Ltd and VP L&T chaired the session, whose theme was “Emerging Air Defence Technologies.” Gp Capt KB Mathews, Gp Capt Ops AD GE, Air HQ spoke on “Challenges of Integrated AD Battle and Air Space Management.” Col HK Parashar, of Army Air Defence Directorate spoke on “Low level threat in the Tactical Battle Area and its neutralisation.” Cmde Alok Ananda, Cmde Naval Ops, Naval HQ spoke on “The Air Defence Battle at Sea.”

This was followed by a Special talk by Lt Gen Rajeev Sabharwal, former SOC-in-C on “Communications: A decisive catalyst for the realisation of an Integrated Air Defence Command.”

This was followed by another Special Talk by Lt Gen (Dr) VK Saxena, former DG Army Air Defence, on “Missiles & Strategic Systems.”

Another session on “Emerging Air Defence Technologies” was chaired by Brig Jagdeep Dahiya, former Commander Air Defence Brigade. Gp Capt Saurabh Gupta, of Air Defence Branch, Air HQ spoke on “Lessons from recent aerial engagements in regional conflicts.” Col R Sathya Narayanan, of Army Air Defence Directorate gave a talk on “Lessons for ground-based air defence engagements in contemporary conflicts.”

A session on “Research & Development” was chaired by Air Mshl Rajeev Sachdeva, former DCIDS (Ops), HQ IDS. Sheik Althaf, Scientist G, LRDE, DRDO gave a talk on “Latest developments in AD Radar.” PK Tewari, Scientist F, DRDL, Hyderabad spoke on “Missile-based AD weapon systems.” Dr PN Dwivedi, Scientist F, RCI, DRDO, Hyderabad gave an “Overview of Ballistic Missile Defence.”

The last session on “Atmanirbharta in Air Defence” was chaired by Lt Gen Kuldeep Singh, former DG Army Air Defence. Air Vice Mshl Narmdeshwar Tiwari, ACAS (Plans), Air HQ spoke on “Ongoing and planned procurements and indigenous efforts.” Cdr Inder Kumar Singh, Dte of Staff Requirements, Naval HQ spoke on “Ongoing and planned procurements and indigenous efforts.”

Air Mshl LK Malhotra, former SASO Eastern Air Command gave the Valedictory Address. Lt Gen Sunil Srivastava, Director, CENJOWS gave the Closing Remarks and Maj Gen Ravi Arora, Chief Editor Indian Military Review gave the Vote of Thanks.

Key Issues Needing Attention

Some key issues which came to the fore during the deliberations by the speakers were: –

Air Defence faces omni present and multifarious threats, from unmanned vehicles, hypersonic weapons, cruise missiles. What should be the Air Defense response to counter these multifarious threats?

Comments. Neutralizing multifarious and complex threats is a challenge. A multi-layered defence and joint network-centric approach can provide credible detection and defence against the aircraft threats. Presently, there is no credible defence against the hypersonic missiles/ glide vehicles. Russian S-400 AD system which will be inducted in India has the capability to intercept hypersonic vehicles as well as ballistic and cruise missiles. However, as defence technology progresses, counter measures will emerge. Technologies such as directed energy weapons, particle beams and other non-kinetic weapons will be likely options for an effective defence against hypersonic missiles.

The air threat particularly in the Tactical Battle Area is complex and challenging.

Comments. The integrated realtime air situation picture will enable quick reaction against the multifarious threats in the TBA while ensuring the safety of own aircraft. Secure communications with redundancy will have to be ensured.

A low technology adversary too can present a challenge to a technologically superior nation.

Comments. Use of relatively cheap rockets and unmanned vehicles in the recent conflicts has brought focus on these weapons. An integrated air picture from the visual and electronic sensors and use of combination of hard and soft kill options would provide effective defence against these threats. Presently, Israeli Iron Dome type of systems are the only answer for the unguided rockets, which are also effective against unmanned platforms. But it is not cost-effective against unguided rockets. R&D for cheaper non-kinetic, multi-use options must continue to neutralize such threats.

It is not possible to change/ replace all legacy weapons due budgetary constraints.

Comments. Upgradation/ modification of the existing weapon systems will ensure that we continue using them with the modern weapon systems.

How do we tackle the emerging ISR and combat drone threats that manifest in different sizes and shapes ranging from very small to large and with less detectability due to low RCS and low velocity?

Comments. For unmanned platforms, a combination of defensive actions like Kinetic and Directed Energy weapons and other non-kinetic measures will have to be employed to neutralize them. DRDO is alive to the challenge. It has already developed an anti-drone system to tackle the drone threats. More anti-drone solutions will emerge in due course with the ongoing iDEX innovations.

Will futuristic Integrated Air Defence Command shorten the OODA loop?

Comments. Real time integrated air situation picture with identification will be available to air defence units at all times. This will ensure that all air borne threats are challenged, diverted or destroyed by suitably chosen air defence weapons without any loss of time.

How will a common air picture be ensured to fight air defence battle?

Comments. All sensors of the three Services and civil agencies will be integrated through IACCS, which carries out multi-sensory tracking and generates a collated composite air picture with identification of all detections for an integrated air and missile defence.

How centralized command and control and decentralized execution of operations will be ensured by the IADC?

Comments. IACCS of Indian Air Force will be linked in real time with Akashteer communication of the Indian Army and Trigun of Indian Navy. This will ensure that all speech and data exchange will take place between them in real-time at designated hierarchy. As a result of this, it will be possible to have centralized control of operations while allowing decentralized execution of tasks.

At present common training of the air defence personnel of Army, Navy and Air force is not carried out.

Comments. Syllabus relevant to the role of each Service should be formulated. This is important to develop common understanding of the air defence processes and procedures.

Why did Armenia suffer heavy losses as compared to Azerbaijan in Nagorno – Karabakh conflict? What are lessons for us?

Comments. Employment of passive defence measures such as camouflage, dispersal of vital assets, use of decoys, blackout and firefighting are relevant against both manned and unmanned threats, since it is still not easy to strike or collect ISR data when target area is well camouflaged. Armenia ignored this vital principle and suffered heavy losses. These measures are relevant in our context too.

Adversaries will use of Cyber and EW measure to blunt our air defences.

Comments. Adversaries may precede attacks by disrupting our command-and-control network and jamming/ saturating our sensors. We, therefore, must train and frequently exercise our operators to discern and operate using alternate measures of communication and detection and employ anti-jamming measures to burn through and detect the threats.

Networks and Communications for Integrated AD Command.   

Lt Gen Rajeev Sabharwal argued that the present communication architecture linking sensors, shooters and decision makers is platform centric, tightly coupled, linear and hierarchical, ie, very stove-piped. He stated that the requirement was to have loosely coupled smart entities, which are sensor/ shooter agnostic, akin to a “publish/ subscribe” topology. Such a system will be asynchronous in time & space, with data accessible/ available to the entitled user anywhere, anytime.

The system should have Low Probability of Interception (LPI), Low Probability of Detection (LPD) and Anti-Jamming features.

Networked links between Akashteer (IACCS at JADC) and Trigun (IACCS at MOC) were recommended. RASP should be available to Army and Naval users in real time. Applications should be network agnostic – IACCS, Akashteer, Trigun should be hosted at national level at Central Data Centres (CDC)/ Designated Service Data Centres and at the theatre level at Theatre Data Centres. There will be integrated data flow to CDS/ NCP. Data sharing mechanism between services data centres to be finalised, as also Common Security framework.

The present networking is only in the physical domain, but needs to be extended to the ‘Social Domain’ (ie any decision maker, any sensor, any shooter) in a “functional”, pan-India Integrated AD Comd. The decision making has to be collaborative.

The network integrates all physical domains (Land, Sea, Air, Space) – Inter- and Intra- domains. Sensors, Cloud, Decision Makers, Shooters (Independent of orgnisation Services) geographic locations, platforms.

AD entities of the 3 Services from tactical to strategic levels must be integrated. IAF, Navy and Army should migrate to NFS as media. NFS Nodes will be linked through voice switches and data centres of services.

Seamless intra-Service communications demand common equipments and trained manpower.

All applications should run on AI engines and data analytics.

Recommendations

Following recommendations have been made:

Since the threat from drones is common to the three Services, a common strategy/plan should be worked out to neutralize these threats. Automation and Artificial intelligence will further make this threat potent. Own “swarming” counter-threats should be developed concurrently.

Communication of three Services should be linked for real time speech and data transfer at the designated level for centralized command and control and effective execution of air defence tasks.

Upgradation/ modification of the legacy air defence weapons should be taken up urgently.

A Joint Air defence directive should be issued before IADC becomes functional.

A relevant joint air defence training strategy should be formulated for the personnel of three Services.

Coordination should be carried out with DRDO and other research agencies to find viable solutions for the new and emerging low cost threats.

A strategy should be devised for neutralization of the ballistic/ cruise and hypersonic threats. Indigenous Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) and planned induction of NASAM, S-400 system will give capability to tackle these threats. Since the IADC will have the centralized air picture and wherewithal and trained personnel, IADC is the most suited for strategic missile defence.

IACCS links must be extended to the deployed army and naval sensors for generation of composite picture at the earliest.

The threat of stealth fighter/ bombers is a reality in our area, Hence, induction of low frequency/ quantum radars, which can detect such threats are needed particularly in the forward areas.

Army legacy AD weapons like L70, ZSU 23, and fire control radars should be modified/ upgraded to enable these to tackle the new emerging threats.

Both active and passive measures are important steps to neutralize/ divert the threats, even when the    attacks are guided by high-tech navigational aids and targeting systems and carry PGMs.

Cyber and EW action on our command-and-control network and sensors in all probability will precede and/or occur during the manned and unmanned air attacks by the adversary Hence, continuous upgradation of anti-cyber and ECCM must be become part of training curriculum and be practised in the joint exercises.

IADC, when established, should be entrusted with ballistic missile defence since composite air situation is available in which BMD sensors too could be integrated to warn of the ballistic and cruise missile threats.

DRDO has displayed excellent capability in indigenous strategic missiles. We still need to develop long range, medium range, short and QRSAMs.

De-conflicting defensive counter-air responsibilities between proposed IADC and Theatre Commands calls for detailed deliberation.

Valedictory Address

Air Mshl LK Malhotra, covered the highlights of the whole r. He suggested that we need not reinvent the weapon systems. Wherever possible, we should seek transfer of technology and carry out indigenous manufacturing of the weapon systems.

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