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India has become a big consumer of defense
electronics, which, like some of their major military systems, are
based on foreign systems but developed indigenously and locally
produced. The largest defense electronics exhibitor at Defexpo 06 was
Bharat Electronics (BEL), which displayed a wide range of electronic
equipment including battlefield surveillance radars; SIGINT;
electro-optical systems for upgrading tanks and air defense systems;
and communications gear for land, air and naval use. The planned
expansion of India’s recently fielded military communications networks
to address mobile access capabilities (Tactical Communications Systems
– TCS program) attracted considerable interest. The TCS program
envisions extending a division's communications infrastructure from
the base and office to the field. Thales and Tadiran, both traditional
suppliers of communications equipment to India, responded to the
challenge at Defexpo 06.
France’s Thales Land & Joint Systems Division demonstrated its
DI@NE IP
based voice and data networking solution for the Indian TCS
program. The system is comprised of TRC-4000 microwave links and
integrated tactical radios, secure battlefield
WiFi terminals (BattleLan),
and Cisco routers, all controlled by a central network management
system. They also displayed their TRC-400 high capacity Line Of Sight
(LOS) radio equipment operating on Band 4 (4.4-5GHz), and supporting
up to 34 Mbps data transfer rates. They also promoted the tactical
satellite communications capability of the SATMOVE QUICK HALT terminal
which operates in the X-band (7.9 – 8.4 GHz and 7.25 – 7.75GHz) using
a low profile foldable 1.8 meter antenna, and supports full duplex
voice communications and data rates of up to 2 Mbps. The system can be
set up and ready for operation in less than 10 minutes.
Tadiran Communications from Israel introduced its comprehensive TCS
concept, which is based on combat proven systems such as the GRC-408
and GRC-2000 LOS radio systems, both of which operate in Band 4. The
GRC-408 provides a high capacity network backbone with up to 34Mbps
data transfer rate links. The GRC-2000 delivers 2Mbps (E!) data rates,
and supports fast frequency hopping (FFH) over TDMA combined with FDMA
regime to deliver reliable communications even when subjected to
severe electromagnetic interference and countermeasures. Tadiran's TCS
supports a variety of protocols, including EUROCOM, ATM, LAN/WN IP,
PCM and Radio over IP/Voice over IP telephony (RoIP/VoIP).
A new command and control system, designed specifically for small
infantry units and special operations forces, was displayed for the
first time by IMI and IAI/MLM. The system, known as
MPRS C3I, integrates
several new devices, including the
Tavor assault rifle and its
Multi-Purpose Rifle Sight
(MPRS) system, the
Reconnaissance Rifle Grenade (RRG), radio location reporting, and
rugged PDAs, in order to
enable commanders to plan and debrief operations without having to
rely on external support (intelligence, geographical files, images
etc). Real-time reporting and video feeds enable commanders to develop
a better situational picture at all levels. MPRS and
WACT, which are subsets of
this system, were covered in previous reports. The new element
unveiled at Defexpo 06 was the commander's display, which supports
situational display and automatic, dynamic views of targets from
different directions based on processed image metadata. The system
uses images that can be collected by the unit from video or still
images taken live by UAVs, RRG, MPRS sights or ground observations and
maintained independently in a local database.
Several jamming systems were displayed indicating India’s interest in
this field. Among the systems on display was the Liman airborne
datalink jammer from the Ukraine firm CARI, and the Granat RF jammer,
which can be used to neutralize some radio controlled IEDs. These
devices have been field tested by Ukrainian Army units deployed for
peacekeeping missions in the Middle East. The jammer operates over a
wide frequency range. (20-2000 MHz) |
