Army unveils plan to equip infantryman for tomorrow's wars
The plan, termed 'F-INSAS' (Future Infantry Soldier as a System),
is based on the prevailing trends which indicate 'infantry-centric'
pattern of warfare will predominate in the present and even for the
foreseeable future at all strategic, operational and tactical
levels, the Director General Infantry Lt Gen K Nagaraj said
here.
'F-INSAS' is designed to enhance the survivability, lethality and
the mobility of a soldier,' he said, n a presentation on the
concluding day of the Army-Industry Partnership Meet-2003 here
yesterday.
A modular weapon system, an integrated helmet assembly, a portable
computer-radio, protective clothing and other individual equipment
form the components of the F-INSAS, Lt Gen Nagaraj said, stressing
that a basic postulate of the plan is the soldier's interest.
''We do not intend to burden the soldier. We are looking at a
maximum total weight of 20 to 25 kg for all this equipment,'' he
pointed out.
Listing the other infantry modernisation programmes being
undertaken globally like the US 'Land Warrior: the First Integrated
Soldier Fighting System for Dismounted Infantrymen,' the German
'Future Infantryman System' (IdZ), the French 'Fassin a equipment
et liasons integres' (FASIN) and the British 'Future Integrated
Soldier Technology' (FIST), which differs from the previous in
focussing on an infantry section in the dismounted close combat
role than an individual soldier, he said all these sought to use
'cutting edge technologies' for the automated, electronic
battlefield of the future.
Quote:Scientific advisor to the defence minister has indicated that
a project to implant chips on soldiers will be demonstrated in two
years.
Quote:He said this entire kit would not cost very much and would
enhance the performance of the soldier operating in low intensity
conflict scenario and save his life in case of injury.
This would be achieved by a vest, fitted with communication systems
and mini-radio network, now being developed by the DRDO.
Similarly, the US had shown keen interest in learning from India's
experience in bio-medical sciences and environmental
physiology.
India was perhaps the only country in the world where its soldiers
performed military operations in as varied terrain as burning
deserts and freezing glaciers.
The two countries had also agreed to cooperate in the development
of a vaccine for biologicial warfare.
The DRDO had developed the expertise in countering chemical
warfare, including detection kits and personal and collective
protection for soldiers in a nuclear environment.
A high-powered Government body had given the go-ahead to the DRDO
to store such chemical agents at designated spots all over the
country. However Dr Atre refused to divulge details about their
exact location.
Elaborating upon the advances made by the DRDO in the field of life
sciences Dr Atre said the DRDO would offer 18 pharma products to
the country's pharmaceutical majors on Wednesday with free
technology transfer.
These products include carbogen, a mixture of oxygen and carbon
dioxide gas to minimise adverse effects of noise on the hearing
system, herbal protector against radiation and processed food
products, he said.
Quote:ndian troops to go hi-tech soon
April 07, 2004 22:13 IST
Under an "aggressive" modernisation drive, the army is acquiring
latest gadgets so that it can be on par with the armed forces of
developed countries.
Ballistic helmets, equipped with infrared night-vision devices and
strong torchlights, are currently under trial and can soon become a
part of the soldier's dress, Director General of Ordnance Services
Lt Gen R S Shahrawat said in New Delhi on Wednesday.
The army is also contemplating equipping soldiers with global
positioning system on watches, which will help in identifying
soldiers' locations.
The overall uniform and footwear of the troops will also be
upgraded, Gen Shahrawat said.
"Some of the equipment planned to be inducted is under trial to
check their performance and see whether these meet our
requirements," he said.
The government has also cleared acquisition of more bullet-proof
jackets and helmets for troops involved in counter-terrorism
operations in Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast, he added.