SIGHT AT NIGHT ENHANCING NIGHT VISION CAPABILITIES OF THE INDIAN ARMED FORCES

With challenges persisting at the Line of Control and the Line of Actual Control, the Indian Army is on a modernisation spree. The army requires third and fourth generation NVDs which have a reduced halo effect, better picture clarity, more panoramic view and longer battery life, explains DHIRENDER SINGH JAMWAL

- DHIRENDER SINGH JAMWAL

Recent heightened tensions between China and Pakistan have brought into sharp focus, the lack of night fighting capabilities within the Indian military, especially related to the army’s mechanised formations. Decisive steps are now being taken towards equipping the armed forces with the ability to fight at night or in low-visibility conditions and presently, the armed and paramilitary forces are looking at upgrading night vision capability across the board, whether it is equipping infantry personnel, Special Forces (SF) units or upgrading tanks, armoured personnel carriers, etc.

Need of the hour

In the past, defence forces were restricted by their ability to only fight during the day. However, in the 21st century, that is no longer an option. Today and in the future, conflicts will occur continuously irrespective of the time of the day and, the force with better capabilities to hide, while seeking their targets in the dark will have an upper hand. Night Vision Devices/ Night Vision Goggles (NVD/NVG) are crucial on the modern battlefield as they provide the ability to fight not only at night but also during other conditions of reduced visibility and NVDs are required in large quantities across the army, navy, air force, and paramilitary forces.