www.hindu.com/2006/05/09/...490900.htm
High-tech system to provide Indian soldier with overmatch facilities
Special Correspondent
The intention is to equip the soldier to ensure a ``dramatic'' increase in his lethality, survivability and mobility
# F-INSAS aims at making soldier `a self-contained fighting machine'
# Local requirements sourced to pare the costs
# Futuristic, light-weight, bullet-proof jacket
NEW DELHI: In a couple of years, the Indian Army's infantry soldier will match his western counterparts in kit and uniform with the Army having launched the F-INSAS (Future infantry soldier as a system) project. Hopefully, gone will be the days as was the case during the Kargil conflict, when infantrymen took on intruders in sub-zero temperatures wearing canvas shoes and basic equipment in addition to their weapons.
"The F-INSAS is a high-tech `system of systems' to provide every soldier with overmatch capabilities," say Army officials whose modernisation plan for the infantry, the fulcrum of armies the world-over, was briefly stalled but is now on track. The intention is to equip the soldier to ensure a "dramatic" increase in his lethality, survivability and mobility.
Modernisation
The modernisation of the soldiers' capability will take place simultaneously with the modernisation of infantry battalions by equipping them with new generation weapons and equipment. While the purchase of new military equipment, most of it imported, has received attention, the efforts to convert the Indian Army soldier into technologically friendly and more combat-effective did not get the desired attention.
The Army drew the F-INSAS concept based on the lessons gained from conflicts worldwide and intends making the Indian soldier a `self-contained fighting machine'. The individual combat system of the future soldier would include weapons, individual protection, netted communications and enhanced human performance aids. This means an integrated helmet assembly equipped with thermal sensors, video cameras and chemical and biological sensors.
Visor
Plans are afoot to integrate a visor that can act as a heads-up display monitor equivalent to two 17-inch computer monitors.
The weapons sub-system is built around a dual calibre assault rifle with the second calibre attached to a grenade launcher.
The sub-system includes a thermal weapon sight and the laser rangefinder to provide the soldier with range and direction information. When coupled with his individual location from his Global Positioning System (GPS), the soldier can call for indirect fire accurately.
Personal clothing
The personal clothing of this soldier of the future would be lightweight with a bullet-proof jacket, a far cry from the days of counter-insurgency operations when troops had to don a 22-kg bullet-proof jacket. The futuristic jacket would be waterproofed yet breathable.
Hi-tech requirements
The Army intends sourcing some of the hi-tech requirements locally in order to pare the costs.
"This selective use of high-technology modules will enhance the soldiers' ability to move, find and engage the enemy and conduct effective operations with optimum utilisation of resources," say Army officials.

You are beaten! It is useless to resist!
High-tech system to provide Indian soldier with overmatch facilities
Special Correspondent
The intention is to equip the soldier to ensure a ``dramatic'' increase in his lethality, survivability and mobility
# F-INSAS aims at making soldier `a self-contained fighting machine'
# Local requirements sourced to pare the costs
# Futuristic, light-weight, bullet-proof jacket
NEW DELHI: In a couple of years, the Indian Army's infantry soldier will match his western counterparts in kit and uniform with the Army having launched the F-INSAS (Future infantry soldier as a system) project. Hopefully, gone will be the days as was the case during the Kargil conflict, when infantrymen took on intruders in sub-zero temperatures wearing canvas shoes and basic equipment in addition to their weapons.
"The F-INSAS is a high-tech `system of systems' to provide every soldier with overmatch capabilities," say Army officials whose modernisation plan for the infantry, the fulcrum of armies the world-over, was briefly stalled but is now on track. The intention is to equip the soldier to ensure a "dramatic" increase in his lethality, survivability and mobility.
Modernisation
The modernisation of the soldiers' capability will take place simultaneously with the modernisation of infantry battalions by equipping them with new generation weapons and equipment. While the purchase of new military equipment, most of it imported, has received attention, the efforts to convert the Indian Army soldier into technologically friendly and more combat-effective did not get the desired attention.
The Army drew the F-INSAS concept based on the lessons gained from conflicts worldwide and intends making the Indian soldier a `self-contained fighting machine'. The individual combat system of the future soldier would include weapons, individual protection, netted communications and enhanced human performance aids. This means an integrated helmet assembly equipped with thermal sensors, video cameras and chemical and biological sensors.
Visor
Plans are afoot to integrate a visor that can act as a heads-up display monitor equivalent to two 17-inch computer monitors.
The weapons sub-system is built around a dual calibre assault rifle with the second calibre attached to a grenade launcher.
The sub-system includes a thermal weapon sight and the laser rangefinder to provide the soldier with range and direction information. When coupled with his individual location from his Global Positioning System (GPS), the soldier can call for indirect fire accurately.
Personal clothing
The personal clothing of this soldier of the future would be lightweight with a bullet-proof jacket, a far cry from the days of counter-insurgency operations when troops had to don a 22-kg bullet-proof jacket. The futuristic jacket would be waterproofed yet breathable.
Hi-tech requirements
The Army intends sourcing some of the hi-tech requirements locally in order to pare the costs.
"This selective use of high-technology modules will enhance the soldiers' ability to move, find and engage the enemy and conduct effective operations with optimum utilisation of resources," say Army officials.

You are beaten! It is useless to resist!
