Tactical Communication System—An update

Tactical Communication System—An update

- Naresh Chand (retd)

The communications in the tactical battle area is provided by static and mobile communications. Static communications are being developed through a new optical fibre cable network being laid as an alternative to the 3G spectrum surrendered by the armed forces. This will be linked with Army Static Communications (ASCON) system through a Battle Management System (BMS). ASCON provides voice and data links between static headquarters and those in peacetime locations. It is expected to be of modular design so that it can be upgraded when required. BMS is meant for communications from the battalion headquarters forward to the companies and platoons.

Army Radio Engineering Network (AREN) was the backbone mobile communications of the Indian Army since 1987 when it was first fielded during exercise Brass Stack. Later on during a major exercise where Indian Army’s all strike corps were launched, it was felt that with the rapid advancements in communication and information technology, there was a need to field a successor to AREN. Offensive operations are spread over a large geographical area with rapidly changing contours of a mobile battle. Thus the communications supporting it has to be dedicated, reliable, secure, mobile and capable of quickly adapting to multiple threat contingencies. However mobile communications is still under consideration/development. Since the gestation period to launch a new defence system is unduly long in India thus the blueprint for a future communication for the mobile and offensive operations of Indian Army was laid as early as 2000 through a de novo approach of Tactical Communication System (TCS).

TCS