Story - SP's LandForces

F-INSAS, a big ticket project of the IA with estimated cost of $2 billion (Rs 9,300 crore), is expected to be completed by 2020

Conjoined upon the broader concept of Revolution of Military Affairs, Future Infantry Soldier as a System (F-INSAS) is a revolutionary soldier modernisation programme of the Indian Army (IA). Essentially based on the concept of modular force, it encapsulates the army's vision of a future battlefield scenario wherein the individual infantry soldier forms an important node in a wider communication network and in real-time shares with his buddy soldier, sub-units and the overall C4I2 (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Information and Intelligence) network a common situational awareness of the battlefield.

Increasingly popular with a number of modern armies in the world, the concept has grown with the need to provide the foot soldiers of the IA with significant lethality, survivability, mobility, battle command, awareness, sustainability and combat effectiveness in future. The growing threat of urban insurgency in India, intermingled with high-tech nature of modern terrorism, has put additional onus on the IA to equip and train its special operation forces in a digitised environment so as to enable it's commanders to correctly assess ground situations in counter-insurgency operations, take split-second decisions, coordinate movement of troops in action and counter enemy's fire power with increased fire power, precision and lethality-all in real time.

Fills the Critical Digital Gap

F-INSAS, in fact, is at the heart of infantry modernisation drive of the IA which has been on for the past few years. The 2007-08 Annual Report of the Ministry of Defence mentions, "In pursuit for modernisation, the Infantry Battalions are being provided state-of-the-art weapon systems of greater lethality, range and precision, thermal imaging devices, bullet and mine proof vehicles and secure radio communications."

Termed as 'soldier as a system', the on-going soldier modernisation programme visualises the future infantry soldier as someone who is equipped with lightweight dual-caliber weapons which has integrated thermal sight and fire control system. The future infantry soldier of the IA wears a helmet which has in-built sensors to help improve his situational awareness on the battlefield and communicate with other nodes in the network. The future soldiers, equipped with latest gizmos, such as wearable computers, anti-mine shoes, on-line health monitoring system, protective clothing and other such accessories, would look like characters straight out of Hollywood thriller movies-think Arnold Schwarzenegger from Terminator.

Combining state-of-the-art technology, at present available in composite material sciences, nanotechnology, information technology, biotechnology and robotics, F-INSAS would reduce logistic burden of the individual soldier almost by 50 per cent. As part of the drive to modernise the Indian infantry further, there are also plans to develop 'robotic mules' to carry additional loads of soldiers on the battlefield. These remotely-controlled robotic mules will also carry automated-weapons to launch concentrated fire power on the enemy. Truly, a new dawn of high-tech warfare in a fully digitised environment awaits the Indian infantry soldiers.

A Worldwide Phenomenon

The IA, however, is not alone in seeking to modernise its infantry soldiers in such a revolutionary way. At present, there are about 20 such heavily funded and futuristic programmes underway by different armies around the world. The US, naturally, is at the forefront of soldier modernisation programme globally. However, France, Germany, and UK have also made significant advances towards modernisation of their foot soldiers. China and Russia, though relatively new to this growing worldwide military phenomenon, are making serious inroads in the promising world market of soldier modernisation equipment.

A recent industry report has estimated that soldier modernisation applications generated a total of $440 million (Rs 2,045 crore) in sales worldwide last year. The report concludes that this revenue will steadily rise over the next decade. The Indian military, with a major thrust towards modernization, is expected to import military hardware worth $30 billion (Rs 1,39,530 crore) over the next five years. A significant part of this import bill is likely to be channeled towards buying of soldier modernisation equipments for the special operation forces and the infantry soldiers of the IA.

Programme Implementation

F-INSAS, a big ticket project of the IA with estimated cost of $2 billion (Rs 9,300 crore), is expected to be completed by 2020. The army hopes to equip initially up to 10 infantry battalions for F-INSAS user trials by 2015. The project has indeed moved beyond the conceptualisation phase and stands at a point where procurement of major systems and sub-systems are underway. With the first F-INSAS equipment likely to be handed over to the army by 2012, about 5,000 members of India's special operations forces have already been equipped with Israeli-made Tavor assault rifles.

A global tender valued at around $1.1 billion (Rs 5,117 crore) was issued by India's Ministry of Defence towards April-end last year for procurement of 43,318 close quarter battle carbines to bolster F-INSAS programme. The Request for Proposal also included night-vision devices, laser designators and detachable under-barrel grenade launchers. In order to meet future army small arms requirements, the state-owned Ordnance Factories Board, is reportedly working jointly with Israel Military Industries on the prototype of a small weapon that will feature an improved sighting system and a miniaturized computer to improve accuracy.

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