AFNET to boost IAF's network centric warfare capability

IAF will take a giant leap in its quest to have an advanced networked warfare capability (NCW) when Air Force Net (AFNET), the system's backbone, will become operational in 10 days from now.

"We will be dedicating the AFNET, the backbone of IAF's network centric warfare capability, on September 14," a senior IAF official told PTI in New Delhi today.

AFNET or Air Force Net is a fibre optic-based network on which the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) of the IAF would ride.

Once AFNET is enabled, the IAF would rapidly link all its ground, air and space assets to have a complete situational awareness of the area it wants to secure and dominate.

IACCS will provide connectivity for all the airborne platforms and ground platforms as part of IAF's network centricity and enables real-time transfer of voice, data and images among aircraft, satellites and ground bases.

"Network centricity involves linking ground, air, and space assets together so as to have complete situational awareness.

"And what does it provide? A real-time sensor-to-shooter loop, which enables IAF commanders to take instant decisions even as information is shared among platforms and personnel to order the weapons to be deployed," the officer said, explaining the concept.

"NCW is vital. You cannot survive today for long against a good adversary without the NCW capability," he added.

Pioneered by the US department of defence, NCW relies on computer processing power and networking communications technology to provide shared information of the battle space among armed forces.

This shared awareness increases synergy for command and control, resulting in superior decision- making, and the ability to coordinate complex military operations over long distances for an overwhelming war-fighting advantage.

IAF had got delivery of the Israeli Phalcon airborne early warning and control system (AWACS) -- the air link in its AFNET -- last year.

The AWACS, a major force multiplier, will provide the IAF an eye in the skies providing advance information as enemy fighter planes takes off, giving enough time for IAF to scramble its own fighter jets to counter them.

India had in March 2004 signed an $1.1 billion deal with Israel for three AWACS mounted on Russian-made IL-76 heavy lift transport aircraft. Another three AWACS are expected to join the fleet for which orders would be placed soon.

India is also developing its own AWACS on the Embraer platform and is likely to get three of them as well.