Part IV: Are the Indian Armed Forces Structures and Doctrines Revolutionized
Only a fool learns from his own mistakes. The wise man learns from the mistakes of others
Otto von Bismarck
The rapid technology transformations - multiplicity of means, particularly Drones of all types and counter drone systems – are changing the nature and character of post-Modern Wars. It is, therefore, imperative to adopt new methods of waging wars – military strategies, doctrines and tactical concepts. So also, the structures need to be remodeled to conduct new ways of waging war.
Just as the Cavalry became extinct after World War I, even the significance of fighters, helicopters, tanks and guns may become extinct in posterity. Those armies, who alter their structures and adopt appropriate strategies, doctrines and tactical concepts with expediency, will be at a decisive advantage against adversaries. Eg, Baburs’ 12,000 and 15 guns victory over Lodi’s 70,000 army and 1000 elephants.
Wake Up! Wake UP! Prepare or Perish! The key issue to consider: “Are Armed Forces equipped with drones of all types in adequate numbers, both for strike missions and reconnaissance and surveillance, with suitable organizational structures at all levels from Unit-levels to Command Headquarters? Also, do they have adequate numbers of counter drone systems to defend themselves at all levels?
Current Availability of Drones
Since Kargil, India has procured a few Israeli UAVs - IAI SEARCHER, HERON AND HAROPS. According to trtworld.com, the IAF uses more than 180 Israeli UAVs - 108 IAI SEARCHERS and 72 unarmed HERON MARK-Is for surveillance and intelligence gathering. As of November 2023, six Israeli HERON MARK-IIs have been allotted to the Indian Army for surveillance along its disputed border with China. Plans are to upgrade the existing fleet of HERON MARK-I with similar capabilities. On receipt of 31xMQ-9B SEA GUARDIANS Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), eight each are allotted to IAF and IA, perhaps, deployed for strategic missions. The remaining 15xMQ-9B SEA GUARDIANS are to be allotted to the IN to suitably employ them.
All the three services – IA, IN and IAF - would have to assess and project requirements to meet strategic strike, reconnaissance and surveillance missions. The coordination of strategic missions between the three services in the contested airspace is critical - separate tri-service “Joint Drone Command”!!!
Indian drone companies have grown incredibly fast since 2015, both in size and in quantity. They are producing Quadcopters, Hexacopters and Octocopters, swarm drones and loitering ammunition. Indian Start-Ups in partnership with foreign companies can “catch-up” with adversaries to develop and produce high-tech drones of all types in adequate numbers to equip all units and formations with reserves to wage 30-days war. Also, in February 2024, 20xHERMES 900 capable of both surveillance and aerial bombardment made by Adani-Elbit Advanced Systems India Ltd were exported to Israel. And, their costs, particularly multirotor drones are affordable and within powers of “Competent Financial Authorities” in the Armed Forces instead of endless wait times from MoD/Cabinet.
Current Availability of Counter Drones
Adani Defense & Aerospace TRL 9 system MIL-STD-810-G is currently deployed in varied applications across critical infrastructure, sensitive sites and national border. Its EO/IR characteristics include: High Power Microwave for neutralizing SWARM of drones; supports in visual detection, tracking and investigation; both cooled/uncooled configurations; automatic locking and tracking of the target slewed from radar Hard Kill; High Power Laser offering long range neutralization; Hunting Drone that can navigate in GPS denied environment; Pre-planned autonomous patrol missions that can operate at more than 140km/h; and Integration with Air Defense Systems and Small Arms.
In pipeline for both the IAF and IA is the VAJRA SENTINEL anti-drone system of Chennai-based Big Bang Boom Solutions Pvt Ltd. VAJRA SENTINEL leverages AI and computer vision algorithms within its core sensor system that enables the system to precisely identify, classify, and locate incoming drones, ensuring swift and targeted countermeasure - operational range extends to 10 kms with hard kill capabilities at a distance of 5-6 kms. It uses passive Radio Frequency (RF) sensor technology. Two more products are also in contention to include: Zen Anti Drone System, Hyderabad and upgraded ZSU-23-4 Shilka developed by the Indian Army.
Requirements – Armed and Non-Armed Drones for Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Strike Missions and Counter Drone Systems
Requirements of “armed and non-armed drones of all types” and counter drone systems for the three services of Indian Armed Forces for both offensive and defensive operations needs to be reviewed, analyzed and their numbers identified and determined. Prioritization for conduct of battles at the operational art and tactical levels in various terrain configurations is vital.
For the Indian Army , the requirements of various types of “armed and non-armed drones of all types” to equip various formations and units for various roles/task but also counter drone systems would include: 14 Corp HQs, 43 Division HQs (Armor, Infantry and Artillery), nearly 129 Brigade HQs, 68 armor regiments, 27 Mechanized Infantry battalions, 250 artillery regiments, 44 SATA units and Batteries, 59 AD Units, over 600 infantry battalions and 28 Army Aviation Squadrons, that is, total of 2261. Add to them engineers and logistic support units particularly ammunition dumps, besides VAs and VPs.
First, starting at the functional/tactical unit levels, a suggested allotment is to authorize reconnaissance and surveillance drones, mostly multirotor drones (Octocopters) and loitering munitions, for over 1200 Units/Brigade HQs. Their types and numbers for each unit and Brigade HQ would be dependent on their roles, terrain configuration and deployment coverage.
For example, units and formations in defensive roles in “DCB-Cum-Canal” and “Semi-Desert” terrain environments, deployed on extended frontages, each platoon would require a minimum of one Quadcopters or Hexacopters or Octocopters considered necessary for reconnaissance and surveillance roles. ‘Loitering Munitions’ may also be required. Similarly, those units deployed in extended frontages in LoC/LAC theatres would also require them. The requirements for Units/Brigade HQs, Division and Corps levels in “Strike Formations” may be reviewed and assessed separately, considered appropriate to their tactical doctrines/concepts. At the higher levels, they should be tailor-made to execute strategic strike and reconnaissance missions in enemy depth areas. Furthermore, the requirements of counter drone systems also require determination at all levels.
Authorization and Allotment
Since the current availability of drones is limited, they are allotted on centralized-prioritized basis: Sector wise allotment. Based on the scales of authorization determined, a battalion or armored regiment is equipped with Octocopters at the rate of two per platoon or troop that includes one as reserve to provide 24-hour coverage of enemy assembly areas, forming up places and gun areas in defensive operations roles. Miniature UAVs range from micro air vehicles (MAVs) that can be carried by an infantryman, to man-portable UAVs also can be authorized.
At the brigade level, Drone Platoon based on ADANI HERMES 900 or TAPAS ((Tactical Aerial Platform for Advanced Surveillance) or ARCHER which is under development, particularly in mountains to overlook enemy concentration areas, may be authorized depending on availability. Even authorization of loitering ammunition may be considered at brigade level.
At the Divisional level, Drone Company based on ADANI HERMES 900 with high-performance sensors or TAPAS or ARCHER which is under development may be authorized. Loitering ammunition and UAV HAROP must be authorized to carry out strikes against enemy strike formations, artillery, AA missile launchers, Radars and other key components like command centers and logistic dumps in rear areas.
At the Corps level employed in defensive roles, Drone Battalions based on Adani Hermes 900 with high-performance sensors or TAPAS or ARCHER which are under development may be authorized. For the Strike Formations at Corps level, eight MQ-9B SEA GUARDIANS Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) that are allotted for the Army may be deployed as on required basis. In the case of High Altitude terrain, TAPAS with operating altitude of 30000 ft, and endurance of 24 hours or ARCHER which is under development may be authorized at the Brigade, Division and Corps levels.
Finally, counter drone systems also need to be authorized and allotted at all levels depending on availability and prioritization.
Staffing Levels
Most important is understanding the details of staffing levels for UAS and RPA active-duty units. For example, an effective crew ratio of 10 to 1 in the mission control element, meaning 10 pilots and 10 sensor operators are needed to keep a single MQ-1/MQ-9 combat line in the air 24/7. For airborne duration for 16 hours or more, at least 3 shifts of pilots, sensor operators, and mission coordinators at the mission control center would be necessary. Simultaneously, the launch and the recovery element would maintain one pilot and one sensor operator on standby rotation throughout the duration of the mission in case the aircraft needs to land early or a fresh aircraft needs to be launched. Because of the time latency involved in satellite communications signals, manual takeoff and landing of RPAs at forward locations cannot be conducted by pilots in the mission control element. For these reasons, an additional three pilots and three sensor operators are needed in the launch and recovery element for each combat line for line-of-sight control during takeoff and landing, making the total crew ratio 13 to 1.
So, the minimum personnel to man a single MQ-9 will be 49 supported by 59 for Launch and Recovery Element, that is, 108 for a typical MQ 9 Combat Line. So also, the staffing levels of counter drone systems also require determination.
Training
Since employment of drones is technology-driven, there is a need to organize specialists training to personnel operating them particularly the crews manning the advanced strike drones – pilots, sensor operators and mission coordinators. There are many types of courses organized under the Indian Institute of Drones to include: Micro category Multirotor Beginners Pilot Courses, Professional Pilot Courses, Micro category Fixed Wing Pilot Courses, etc.
So, Drone Training Centers need to be established by the three services to train personnel manning various types of drones in their Technical Colleges and Centers like the Signals, EME and Engineers. Long ago I had suggested “Innovation and Hobby Centers” to be organized. Pending their establishment, personnel may be sent to undergo training at civil training institutions, which are short duration only.
Overview
To sum up, China is focusing on Intelligentization. With the induction of multi-domain drones, autonomous systems, and their combat variants, it is facilitating ‘Autonomisation’ and will get further strengthened by Quantumisation. Even Pakistan has demonstrated high-tech drone technology capabilities. Both nations have produced and equipped their armed forces in adequate numbers at all operational levels both during war and peace. Even the Non-State actors are assisted by external sources with man-portable Kamikaze or suicide small/miniature drones to carry out cross-border terrorist strikes.
Due to limited supply of “Drones” and “Counter Drone Systems', Indian Armed Forces are yet to be fully prepared to wage postmodern wars. The shift from allotment as “Sectors Stores” need to be abandoned by procuring “Drones” and “Counter Drone Systems” from indigenous sources as per projected scales at various levels among the three services.
Financial powers have been devolved to field formations to focus on operational preparedness and to promote ease of doing business & jointness among Services. Indigenous capabilities are available with civilian agencies. What is therefore vital is for the Army, Air Force and Navy Commanders to determine “Qualitative Requirements” and opt for hi-tech drones from indigenous firms. Furthermore, training establishments must be set up and training imparted to personnel as pilots, sensor operators, and mission coordinators to man mission control centers, besides providing technical maintenance support.
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