A dedicated fibre-optic network should be able to adequately meet the IAF’s current and foreseeable requirement of network activity vis-à-vis air operations. But can the AFNET cover the entire spectrum of network-centric warfare?

In its long and continuing march to transform itself into a modern, highly capable and balanced force, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is on the threshold of achieving a major milestone in ultimately being able to conduct network-centric operations. It is a well-known fact that it is the ability to collect, process, and disseminate flow of information resulting in increased mission space awareness and subsequent dominance, firmly fixed in a classical command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) framework, which constitutes the essence of present-day air operations. However, even a most modern fighting force, with the best of command and control structures, the best of ground/air/space based sensors, the best of combat platforms and the finest air warriors would be nothing but impotent and ineffective unless it possesses a robust and failsafe communication systems, connecting all echelons of the force making possible for it to conduct network-enabled operations.

The milestone alluded to earlier refers to the formal launch of Air Force Net (AFNET) communication system by the IAF on September 14. With the commissioning of the AFNET, the IAF ushers in a modern, state-of-the-art digital information grid, based on a nationwide fibre-optic network. The IAF project, spanning a number of years for completion, is supposed to be a part of the overall mission to ultimately network all three services. The mission flows out from the backdrop of an information technology (IT) roadmap document of India’s Defence Ministry stipulating automation, simulated training and mandatory computer proficiency in the services.

On a much larger scale, the IAF has created a mandate to develop and maintain an assured, dedicated, secure and interoperable communication network along with associated services/establishments to provide real-time, instantaneous transfer of information between sensors, command and control (C2) centres and shooters. The IAF also feels it necessary to use the communication network and IT-enabled infrastructure for all other operational, techno-logistics and administrative functions to leverage development in the entire operational and support spectrum to enhance efficiency and ensure cost-effectiveness. While all the three services are engaged in providing a high degree of automation and computer-based networking, the IAF is the first among the three services to complete the project of interlinking all its major installations throughout the country on a high bandwidth network through AFNET. The AFNET would replace the IAF’s old communication network, installed more than four decades ago—based on a 1950 Troposcatter technology.

With the AFNET in place, all major formations and static establishments of the IAF would have been linked through a secure wide area network (WAN). AFNET incorporates the latest traffic transportation technology in the form of internet protocol (IP) packets using multi-protocol label switching (MPLS). A large voice over internet protocol (VoIP) layer with stringent quality of service enforcement is planned to facilitate robust and high-quality voice, video and conferencing solutions.