CHAPTER IVPLANNING, COORDINATING AND INTEGRATING ELECTRONIC WARFARE FOR JOINT OPERATIONS33.Coordination and Integration of Electronic Warfare
Electronic warfare is a complex aspect of modern military operations that must be fully integrated with other aspects of joint operations. This is
necessary if one is to achieve electronic warfare’s full potential for contributing to an operation’s objectives. Such integration entails cautious
and comprehensive planning. Electronic warfare planners should coordinate their planned activities with other phases of military operations and third
party users which use the electro-magnetic spectrum. Coordination of military use of the electro-magnetic spectrum is largely concerned with the
coordination required with other staff functions as well as the other elements of information operations. Coordination of electronic warfare
activities with respect to third party use of the electro-magnetic spectrum is largely a matter of spectrum management and adhering to established
frequency usage protocols.34.Planning of Joint Electronic Warfare. Like other aspects of joint operations, the planning of joint electronic warfare
is centralised and its execution is decentralised. Since the armed forces own most of the country’s electronic warfare assets, service components of
electronic warfare should be integrated into the joint planning process. The role of electronic warfare in joint operations must be viewed in the
larger context of command and control warfare.35.Command and Control Warfare. It is the approach to military operations
measures (military deception, psychological warfare, operations security, electronic warfare and physical destruction) in a planned manner
effectively supported by intelligence and information systems, to inhibit an adversary’s ability to command and control his forces, while
safeguarding and enhancing our own. Traditionally, the planning responsibilities for these elements are with separate entities of any headquarter
Establishment of Joint Electronic Warfare Control Centre.There is a need that all these command and control warfare elements function under a single
entity namely the Joint Electronic Warfare Control Centre to be set up in each joint headquarters as part of the operations and planning branch of
the controlling headquarters. In this way, all the five elements would be effectively employed to accomplish its intended mission without adversely
affecting any other contributing agency. Therefore, on formulation of the joint electronic warfare plan, the electronic warfare planners should
monitor its execution and be ready to carry out any modification to the original plan with the change in the dynamics of the operational plan. A
recommended charter of duties of the proposed Joint Electronic Warfare Control Centre is attached at Appendix A.Managing the Electro-Magnetic
Spectrum37.Joint Electronic Warfare Planning.Since electronic warfare activity takes place in the electro-magnetic spectrum, joint electronic warfare
planners must closely coordinate their efforts with those members of the joint staff who are concerned with managing military use of the electro
magnetic spectrum. Joint electronic warfare planners should establish and maintain a close working relationship with the frequency management persons
An integrated setup called the Joint Frequency Management Centre is essential for identifying the requirements for friendly communication nets
electro-magnetic navigation and radar systems. These requirements should be considered with regards to anticipated operations, threat at tactical
level and interference due to electro-magnetic considerations. Once clearly identified, these should be formalised as Joint Restricted Frequency List
under appropriate categories like prohibited/guarded functions, nets and frequencies. Joint Restricted Frequency List is a critical management tool
in the effective use of electro-magnetic spectrum during military operations.38.Establishment of Joint Frequeny Management Centre. A Joint Frequency
Management Centre should be established at each corps and joint headquarters (when established), whose responsibility would be to prepare the Joint
Restricted Frequency List and assist the electronic warfare staff in the planning process of electronic warfare operations being conducted jointly or
by earmarked service. Assessment of electro-magnetic environment during the planning phase would bring out important facts/assumptions, based on
information available at that time. Further, this environment will constantly change as forces redeploy and as command and control structures
surveillance devices, weapons systems and other spectrum use applications realign. Since electronic warfare is concerned with disruption, protection
and monitoring of the electro-magnetic spectrum, electronic warfare staff has a major role to play in the dynamic management of the spectrum during
operations. 39.Flexibility in Electronic Warfare Activities. A comprehensive and well thought-out Joint Restricted Frequency List and Emission
Control Plan are normally the two tools that permit flexibility in electronic warfare actions during an operation without compromising friendly use
of the electro-magnetic spectrum. Emission control is the selective and controlled use of electro-magnetic or other emitters to optimise operational
security and avoid detection by enemy sensors, minimise mutual interference among friendly systems and execute an effective deception plan. A
recommended charter of duties to be assigned to the proposed Joint Frequency Management Centre is attached at Appendix B.Doctrinal Guidance for Joint
Electronic Warfare40.Principles that guide the conduct of electronic warfare operations in individual services would remain valid and continue to
guide the conduct of electronic warfare in joint operations. However, the planning and coordination of electronic warfare at the joint level should
flow from the highest coordinating headquarters to avoid any duplication of effort.41.Joint Doctrine.The release of India’s first Joint Doctrine in
May 2006 marked a major step towards military integration and interoperability among the three services. As it was intended to complement
existing individual service doctrines, the Joint Doctrine amply covers the guiding principles for future joint operations, which needs the synergy in
operational capabilities. The new doctrine purposefully persuades the services on the need for joint planning and resource sharing.42.Need for Joint
Electronic Warfare Doctrine. A beginning has also been made in the jointness in information warfare by the issue of a Joint Doctrine on Information
Warfare. However, both these doctrines are classified documents and hence a critical appraisal cannot be made though it is believed that these are
only of generic nature and do not address many existing inter-service doctrinal disconnects. A joint electronic warfare doctrine is essential for
success because organisational synergies to be gained from joint efforts are as important as new military technologies which will be used in future
battles. A well conceptualised and articulated doctrine reflects the combined will and intent and being a shared view ensures the much needed unity
of effort. Its effectiveness would lie in it being achievable, acceptable and readily adaptable. While evolving such a doctrine, it is necessary to
see that it easily dovetails in the overall concepts of joint operations. A joint electronic warfare doctrine should not advocate a separate phase of
war, but its strategy should merge into the overall concept of joint operations. A joint electronic warfare doctrine would ensure a more concentrated
effort towards a unified goal, by employing inherently interoperable and synergistic joint capabilities. Such a doctrine would advance the much
required joint mind-set from the highest planning level to the lowest tactical level.
CHAPTER VMANAGEMENT CHALLENGESIssues of Interoperability
Interoperability.It is an essential aspect to be considered, if we plan to use electronic warfare effectively as an element of joint military power
Enhanced interoperability is an important prerequisite for increasing jointness. The major interoperability requirements are:-(a)To establish
standards and practice procedures that allow for integrated planning and execution of joint electronic warfare operations.(b)To exchange electronic
warfare information in a timely and routine manner.44.Exchange of Data. This exchange of information may be conducted in either non-real time or in
near real time through common, secure, jam resistant radio sets and data links. The capability to exchange near real time data (such as targeting
information) increases situational awareness and coordination between various force elements, including electronic warfare assets, is a critical
combat requirement. Routine exchange of data amongst the joint force components, joint force, supporting commands and organizations would facilitate
all types of electronic warfare planning.45.Recommendation. It is suggested that at the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff, a separate functional
entity be setup to initiate and oversee joint interoperability and integration initiatives and suggest material and non-material solutions to
interoperability problems. This can be effectively carried out by working closely with the three services, Defence Research and Development
Organisation and other government/public/private production agencies. Communication Interoperability46.Communication Network.Unity of command at the
top would require robust, reliable and survivable communications that are interoperable amongst all components of the force during the entire
battlefield, from the highest command element to the last sub unit/element on the battlefield. There is no denying the fact that a robust
communication network is a prerequisite for jointmanship. Thus, the concept of network centric warfare needs to be extended to all the three services
The concept needs to be taken a step further to build the communication infrastructure of all the three services on a standard architecture providing
our forces a high degree of jointness or to even undertake integrated operations.47.Inter-Service Communication. The three services however still
look at communications within their own respective confines. Tackling these inter-service communication network boundaries to enable a force to
conduct joint operations becomes a technical interoperability challenge, demanding in terms of time, expenses and excellence of service. The inter
service frontiers as far as communications are concerned needs to be removed. Perhaps it is essential to say that we have now graduated to a state
where we need an integrated communications directorate under the Integrated Defence Staff to plan, formulate and implement tri-service communications
common to the three services. This would cater to the following:-(a)Formulating a coherent policy for communication technologies to be adopted by the
three services.(b)Construct communication infrastructure with standard protocols for the three services, thus enabling a higher degree of jointness
c)Lay down the infrastructure of a truly networked force of the future.(d)Manage technical issues related to interoperability, compatibility and
integration.(e)Lay down a long term and perspective communication plan for the three services.Maintenance of Electronic Warfare Data Bases
Electronic Warfare Databases. Automated electronic warfare databases can assist electronic warfare planners by providing easy access to a wide range
of platform-specific technical data used in gauging the electronic warfare threat and planning correct friendly response to that threat. However
planners should keep several stipulations in mind when relying on automated data. Variety of database in abundance is available to military planners
some of these are maintained by the services, various intelligence agencies or other Ministry of Defence and allied organisations.49.Coordination and
Maintenance of Databases.The sources of data being used for planning should be a topic of coordination among electronic warfare planners. If required
joint planners should provide guidance about what sources of automated data should be used for specific electronic warfare planning purposes
Planners should request the organisations that maintain important sources of electronic warfare data to update their databases more frequently than
normal when planning specific operations. Planners should be warned about using unofficial sources of data, essentially those available on the
internet, which may be manipulated by organisations hostile to national policies and objectives. However, open source information remains a viable
and important source to gain intelligence. Careful maintenance of data bases during peacetime enables rapid detection of voids, which become the
priority areas during crisis/battles. The vital tools which would expand and enhance the qualitative and quantitative value of the knowledge
available to decision makers are data mining techniques and knowledge management technologies. Implementation of these techniques and technologies
would help in taking advantage of all available information both internal and external to the electronic warfare systems.Indigenisation/Procurement
of Electronic Warfare Equipment50.Basis of Procurement.Reliable, effective and affordable equipment that exploits high technology is essential to
provide the battle winning factor. Long term development period of modern electronic warfare equipment requires the decision of procuring the same
from other countries and should be based on an informed assessment of how the electronic warfare threat scenarios are likely to emerge over the next
ten to twenty years. This calls for procurement priority to be given to the systems with inherent flexibility or those which can be easily modified
or adapted to the changing circumstances. It is therefore important to identify those critical disruptive technologies which are likely to have a
major influence on electronic warfare capability. It is an acknowledged fact that the present poor pace of development and production of indigenous
electronic warfare systems hardly encourages the users. Therefore, inescapable delay, enormous budget and time overruns are a cause of worry
Procurement Imperatives.There is a need for the apex decision making body of the nation to ensure that electronic warfare equipment procurement
program includes the requirement of timely replenishment of replacement items/spare parts and should be funded and managed on life cycle basis with
due allowance for planned updates during their life time. The defence acquisition system should give due importance to unity of purpose, joint
planning, unison of effort and joint procurement programmes. Therefore, by ensuring commonalty in equipment will not only reduce costs but also
ensure greater degree of interoperability, leading to better synchronisation. Robustness and intrinsic competencies of domestic defence industries
manufacturing strategic electronic equipment or under license arrangements is vital, however, critical voids could be made up by procuring minimum
operationally inescapable electronic warfare assets ex import. Coordination and Functioning of National Information Board.52.Origin of National
Information Board. The Kargil conflict led to a very comprehensive review of our security apparatus and higher defence organisation. On suggestions
of the Kargil Review Committee, the Prime Minister selected a Group of Ministers to scrutinise the national security system and make suitable
recommendations. Amongst the several recommendations given by the Group of Ministers, setting up of National Information Board was recommended. The
National Information Board was approved by the Prime Minister in May 2002. The National Security Adviser was to be the Chairman of
Information Board with the Cabinet Secretary, the three Service Chiefs, Secretaries of all key ministries and heads of intelligence and research
organizations appointed as members. The main charter of duties of such an apex organisation was to develop policies and ensure its implementation by
creation of appropriate institutions dealing with information warfare and information security. In doing so, National Information Board would ensure
that the country develops a holistic approach in developing specific information warfare capabilities.53.Functioning of National Information Board
While the deliberations of National Information Board would be confidential, it is wished that this body meets frequently and observes the
development on acquisition of the essential information warfare competence keeping in mind the threat postured by our opponents in the near and long
term. It is a sad state of affairs that while we are efficient at formulating such bodies, the follow-up and periodic consultations of such
establishments are very disappointing. In addition to the setting up of National Information Board, it is believed that there is a requirement for a
full time working group on this subject. This group should comprise of members from the services, Defence Research and Development Organisation
academicians and specialists from legal, finance, industry and other related sectors. This group would give inputs which can further supplement
requirements and inputs given by Service Headquarters. This group should be able to synergise the efforts at the national level and could be named as
Information Warfare Advisory Group.54.Establishment of Defence Information Operations Agency.Based on the domestic perspective plans, defence
services need to frame a five year actionablepolicy including setting-up of suitable institutional structures. Joint perspectives should be kept in
mind while articulating service specific plans. To harmonise these efforts at the joint services level, it is recommended that Defence Information
Operations Agency be established at Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff. As the scope of information operations extend across a time continuum from
peacetime to crisis/conflict period and again back to peace, Defence Information Operations Agency may possibly administer all the related
capabilities which includes computer related attack, deception, electronic warfare, psychological operations, operational security and linked actions
of public and civil concerns. A set-up of this kind would aid in appreciating the environment, prioritising its interests and highlighting adversary
s pressure points, thereby optimising own capability to react to any adversary action. A suggested organisation of Defence Information Operations
Agency is attached at Appendix C.Joint Electronic Warfare Board55.Charter of Duties. Good precedence exists in this aspect that we already have a
single point joint forum within the Ministry of Defence with a charter to synergise the efforts of the three services in enhancing the jointmanship
in electronic Warfare field, besides monitoring the implementation of electronic warfare projects of the three services. It is presently chaired by
the Chief of Integrated Staff to Chairman Chief of Staff Committee with members drawn from all the three services as also representatives from all
concerned production agencies and defence research institutions. Over the past few years, this forum has been enthusiastically utilised by the
services, industry’s representatives and Defence Research and Development Organisation to project their viewpoint on matters pertaining to production
and fielding of electronic warfare systems. With no executive authority and financial powers, Joint Electronic Warfare Board is often relegated to an
advisory and status monitoring roles only. Some areas of concern that needs immediate attention include:-(a)Fielding of integrated non-communications
electronic warfare systems for the Indian Army.(b)Dedicated electronic warfare systems for low intensity counter operations in both northern and
north-eastern sectors.(c)Elevated electronic warfare platforms for enhanced range and area coverage.(d)Track based electronic warfare platforms to
support fast moving and highly mobile mechanised forces.(e)Development of directed energy weapon systems to damage or destroy adversary’s equipment
and personnel by an intense beam of concentrated electro-magnetic energy or atomic or subatomic particles. (f)Provision of satellite communications
and cellular communications monitoring systems at the field level.(g)Acquisition of systems for enhancement of frequency coverage and having
frequency hopping and sophisticated anti-jamming propagation techniques. (h)Qualitative technological improvement of direction finding sub-systems to
achieve greater accuracy and flexibility in its deployment.(j)Technology forecasting must be an ongoing exercise in the design and configuration of
electronic warfare systems