Importance of Information Technology in Defense Sector

Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) is the controller and executor of
Implementation of IT in the national defense of India. The Usage of Technology in Indian
Defense has paved ways and IT has become the intrinsic part of the system. Army Navy and Air
force use various technologies for controlling, coordinating and monitoring movements in and
along the nation. The D(IT) is the department of IT of the Indian Defense System.

IT has played a crucial role in the recent surgical strikes performed by Indian Army as well. The
IT industry has been a boon for defense because it has made it possible to eliminate costs,
faster communication and has also reduced risks to a lot of extent for the nation. IT is used to
keep ultimate secrecy of Plan of Action, storing vital information and development of various
strategies and its secured storage. This has made execution of plan easier and has also
eliminated challenges to maintain secrecy for the defense.

The following are examples of technology usage in Defense:

A. Army

1. URI Surgical Strike: Communication with the central team in between the strike made it
possible to understand if there were any casualties; the communication was done through
various devices and GPS trackers and navigators made it possible to have smooth functioning of
the strike and its progress. The communication was possible with the air force team and army
through devices as well.

2. Missiles: Due to technology it is now possible to track the missile progress and put up the
location at its desirable explosion. Vice a versa it is also possible to track any such incoming
threat as well

B. Navy

1. NCW (Network Centric Warfare) : This is where the Indian Navy uses Technological
Advancement. It is based on a shift of systems of communication for quicker decision making at
the time of war. The system can shift from ship centric to network centric that is across the sea.
It helps in linking ships, warships, submarines in common network for efficient communication.

2. Integrated Logistics Management System: Apart from war practices for supply chain
management and maintenance to order new supplies and equipment maintenance the Navy
uses technology for functioning.

C. Air Force
1. Balakot Operation: In response to the Pulwama attack the Air Force was a part of the surgical
strike. Air chief Marshal BS Dhanoa stated that the operation success was due to the
technological impact that Indian Airforce had during the strike. It was possible to track and have
precision at night due to navigation and GPS related technologies. It was also possible to have
great accuracy and precision stand of weapons. The Airforce is always technology sensitive

Challenges:

1. Information leak: Although information technology has lead in ease and better management.
The Security is still a theft.

2. Indian Weapon and Defense Progress: the Indian Defense system lacks in Technological
progress and there is very slow momentum for adapting new age technology.

3. Awareness: There has been a lack of training and education to the forces in terms of
technology.