The Indian Minister of State for Defence, Dr MM Pallam Raju inaugurating a two-day Command, Control, Computers, Communication, Intelligence and Information (C4I2) Summit-2011 on Tuesday, said : “The modern battlefield scenario is becoming more and more complex due to increase in ranges and complexity of military equipment, advances in Information Technology and sophistication of C4I2 structures/Net-Centric warfare. Adoption of the latest technology in developing new warfare systems would propel us towards our goal of achieving a technological edge over the adversary in prevailing decisively across the entire spectrum of conflict with reduced force levels and minimal casualties.”

He cautioned that cyber security and security of defence networks was a big challenge and the Defence Forces should take not of these emerging challenges while developing their C4I2 networks.

The Minister further suggested that all future operations should be in the nature of joint operations where desired level of synergy with flow of correlated and intelligent information between the three Services would be essential. “To translate any joint doctrine into action, interoperability between the Army, Navy and the Air Force is crucial. This interoperability will not be restricted to Service Headquarters alone and would call for integration at all levels there by achieving interoperability at the tactical, operational and strategic levels to ensure the concept of joint warfare. Therefore, while each Service is developing its Network Centricity, much work is underway in formulating policies and standards that will facilitate this integration.”

Raju said that despite a vast industrial infrastructure, India has still a long way to go to become a major defence equipment manufacturing nation. It is now heavily dependant on imports. “The Government views import of critical capabilities with concern and is committed to correct this imbalance, “ he said.

The Minister said that this imbalance can be rectified by expansion of the indigenous defence industrial base, increasing investment in R&D, identification of core technologies where India is already a lead country and by promoting public-private partnership. He said that the offset policy has offered a level playing field to both the private and public sectors.