Harnessing tomorrow's edge to reshape the art of war

Evolving 5G and satellite technologies are revolutionising defence communication, blending strategic resilience with unmatched tactical flexibility

- LT COL SIDHARTH SHUKLA RETD)

Defence communication (Defcom) stands apart from civilian telecommunications due to its critical nature, fail-safe design, and incorporation of multiple layers of redundancy across platforms and spectrum.

These systems are swift and highly secure and offer realtime, high-bandwidth communication to troops on the move. Additionally, they are both tactical and strategic, providing seamless connectivity between troops in forward areas and decision-makers in headquarters.

It forms the backbone of military operations, ensuring seamless connectivity and secure information flow.

Defcom, with its unique operational demands, can be viewed through two distinct yet interconnected lenses-strategic and tactical verticals. Each plays a vital role in addressing modern warfare's challenges and ensuring coordination across the chain of command.

Strategic communication: Representing the core of defence communication, this vertical is 'static in nature' and spans extensive 'theatres of operation' with multiple 'strategic nodes' interconnected through fully reliable, high-bandwidth heterogeneous communication links.

These links leverage advanced technologies, including optical fibre links, microwave UHF point-to-point radios, and high-capacity satellite links, to ensure reliability even in remote or challenging terrains.

Tactical communication: Unlike strategic counterpart, tactical communication operates within limited battle areas and is inherently highly mobile and dynamic. It must be engineered according to the 'Tactical Battle' phases, relying primarily on vehicle-based communication systems equipped with switching equipment and PBXs for battlefield users.