Learn from C4I2 Bases of Main European Armies
by Satoru NAKAMURA
Member of Research Committee, DRC
@Forward
It is worth learning for us how main European Armies are building up their C4I2 (Command, Control, Communication, Computer, Information and Interoperability) systems. It is a key point to learn how they are building communication systems as C4I2 bases in financial difficulties.
They place C4I2 systems as a multiplier of combat power. When they get to construct C4I2 systems, simultaneously they prepare communication systems for them. The C4I2 systems need fitting for communication capacity. And they have interoperability for allied joint operation with the Army, other services and allied nations.
In Japan, C4I2 systems are emphasized their necessity and importance as well main European Armies. But as a practical matter, communication systems have not given a higher priority on a strict budget.
On the other hand, our country is well equipped with commercial communication systems everywhere, but we should not miss our defense military communication missions.
1. The Trend of
Main European Armies
(1) The UK Army
The future shape of the Army is based on ''Strategic Defence Review'' published in July 1998. The UK is based on NATO defense plan as to national commitment. The new Joint Rapid Reaction Forces are the spearhead of Britain's modernization. Modern forces depend more than ever on fast, detailed and accurate ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance). The Review has emphasized the importance of investment in these areas. The central challenge is to integrate sensors, weapons, platforms, and logistics operating in all environments. The aim of battlefield digitization is to integrate them.
Improved information and communication systems will be vital to make best use of the vast increase in the volume of strategic and tactical information available to commanders at all levels.
It is said that introduction of the BOWMAN combat radio system, which program include secure voice and data radio and intercom equipment, computers, a tactical internet, and system management software, is important basic step in the short to medium term.
The UK formulated Battlefield (Land) Information system Concept in order to attain the Army digitization.
The first, in 1997, the UK Land System Digitization Concept Paper designed to inform industry, the Army, other services on current thinking on the emerging digitization initiative. It covers both operational and technical areas.
The second, in 1998`1999, CIBIS (Common Infrastructure for Battlefield Information System) Concept Definition issued in order to inform MOD and Industry of the evolving Land Digitization concept. Industry is being kept informed during the formulation of concepts.
Simultaneously, Digitization of the Battlespace (Land) Management Plan published to provide a coordinated and coherent plan for the digitization initiative.
(2) The French Army
The French Army is radically reorganizing and it will be completed by 2002. It is said that the development and fielding of Information and communication systems express the will of the French Army to play a major part in the prevention and settlement of crises. In terms of acquisition efforts, the French Army is concerned with three major focuses.
The first priority is command and information systems in relation to interoperability. The second priority is intelligence systems. The third is equipment of crisis reaction forces. Battlefield digitization will gradually come about with the implementation of various systems.
Preceding the introduction of SICF (Information System for Armed Force Command), RITA tactical communication systems have been upgraded.
SICF manages information exchange with in an operation center and between several centers. The tactical communication systems support exchange of tactical information from corps to brigade levels. Combat radio is central to the Army combat communication network from platoon up to regiment level.
To reduce information quantity and to minimize the transmission capacity required are essential. It is reported that the French Army has adopted a three-level horizontal battle management system hierarchy as follows.
@The top level is SICF: Information System for Force Command.
AThe second level is SIR: Regimental Information System.
BThe third level is SIT: Battlefield Management System.
The French
approach is not different from the UK or German systems. French Army is to
participate with a complete brigade in American-led quadrilateral digitization
exercise to be held in 2004.
(3) The German Army
The German Army has suffered from the decrease in the defense budget since 1990. It is said that to maintain the coherence of C2 systems has become partially impossible. In 1994 the Chief of the Army stressed the improvement of Army C2 systems as having a very high priority. This led to an improvement of the German Army's C2 capabilities.
The German Army communication systems have been improved as an important modernization. AUTOKO 90 (the Mobile Automated Communication Field Net) has been digitized, which is a mobile, grid-like, automated network with trunk nodes and access nodes.
Simultaneously the German Army reorganized command, control and information system. The main systems are composed of HEROS (the Army Command, Control and Information System), BMS (the Battlefield Management System), IFIS (the Integrated Command, Control and Information Systems), and FÜWES-Kern Heer (the Core Army Combat Direction System).
BMS, BIP (the Battlefield Interoperability Programme) and QIP (Quadrilateral Interoperability Programme) are to ensure interoperability between the different German Army's systems, other nation's systems and HEROS.
2. Building
Defense Communication System
(1) Special Feature of Our Defense Environment
In Japan, the Metropolitan area and district capitals are heavily populated. Also the mainstay of important social infrastructures (politics, economic, industry, intelligence, communication, traffic and energy) have been in these areas. The important infrastructures are very weak, confused and paralyzed by natural disasters and artificial accidents.
Organized terrorism, guerrilla warfare and cyber terrorism are new threats to us. In most cases, it is very difficult for us to defend the important social infrastructures, and then it will be broken down in a moment when we are under attack by these threats.
Not only in peacetime but also in wartime we should make full use of existing all public, commercial communication's infrastructure but there is a mixtures of strategic national defense bases and operational areas of Ground Self Defense Force. We should make clear understand this feature especially in our country. We don't operate in foreign areas separate from homeland, except for Peace-Keeping Operations and international emergency rescue operations.
It is the most important consideration in our country that GSDF should have the minimum own defense bases. Specifically we should built, control, and maintain the minimum C4I2 communication systems independently of commercial communication systems. This means that the tactical communication network should be directly linked by own means from the front division or brigade headquarters to the central headquarter.
For that purpose we have to operate own defense satellite communication systems as tactical long distance networks. Nevertheless now we have no choice but to build by commercial communication satellites.
We have to
clear concept for IDDN (Integrated Defense Digital Network) to put out it's
capability at peacetime, emergency and wartime.
(2) Communication Bases for Peace-Keeping Operations
When the units of GSDF take part in Peace-Keeping Operations of the UN, it needs to construct adequate communication networks for C2. Until now, we had operated temporarily commercial satellite communication networks and there had been many restrictions. We only had a few experiences of oversea communications through the past Peace-Keeping Operations. After this these networks are built by commercial satellite communications. So we have to secure communication networks enough to full operation from the dispatched unit's HQ to the central HQ.
It needs to
have operational concept of satellite communications and to build defense
communication systems by commercial satellites. In future we have to construct
long distance communication networks to overseas on a large scale by own
defense communication satellite.
(3) C2 Communication System and Interoperability
It is well
recognized in main European Armies that the base of allied joint operation is
made up by interoperable communication systems. In developing command, control
and communication systems, their interoperability is very essential. Now the US
Army accelerate battlefield digitization, there have been widening digitization
gaps among the GSDF and the US Army. Therefore in order to resolve for allied
operation, separation of roles might be an option. But military and political
matters would arise.
(4) Military and Industrial Co-operation in Our Country
Main European Armies and US Army inform industry, the Army and other services adequately on their concepts of military doctrine, digitization and C4I2 System etc. This means mutual understand between military and industry. For example, US Army's field manual FM 1 the Army and FM 3 Operation, British Military Doctrine are propagated widely. The UK Land Systems Digitization Concept Paper designed to inform industry, the Army and other services, and feedback is welcomed. Cooperative mechanism between military and industry are established in NATO members and US.
Our
cooperative mechanism should be reconstructed forming a part of the defense
acquisition reforms. A relationship of mutual trust between military and
industry is the fundamentals for the national defense bases.
(5) Security of C4I2 Systems
Security of C4I2 systems is a critical matter. So we should continuously work out countermeasures. From development and acquisition of C4I2 Systems to maintenance of them, security measures are strictly controlled throughout full lifecycle of the systems.
In our
country, a competitive price is more weighted with acquisition of equipment by
the defense acquisition reform. But it is very important that to evaluate the
makerfs defense technology, engineer, and aptitude of defense security is
essential to place them orders.
Conclusion
As a matter of course, main European Armies consider that their tactical communication systems are very important as bases of C4I2 systems and interoperability. We should build minimum strategic and tactical communication systems by own means separately from commercial systems.
Now interoperability is a critical theme and we should make further effort to ensure it between different systems.
References
2. French and UK Battlefield Digitization, JDW, 12 May 1999
3. French Army Reform, JDW, 15 September 1999
4. France, MILTECH 6/2000
5.Improving The German Army's C2
Capabilities, MILTECH₯SPECIAL ISSUE
1997
6. Modern C2Means for the
CRF in Out-of-Area Operations, MILTECH₯SPECIAL ISSUE 3/2001
7. The Reform of the
Bundeswehr-An Investment in the Future, MILTECH₯SPECIAL ISSUE 3/2001
