IACCS: Platform for NCO to touch the sky with glory

India successfully executed precise strikes on thirteen critical targets, including eight airbases in strategically significant regions of Pakistan. In response to the Indian offensive, Pakistan's defences were overwhelmed, leading to a complete operational breakdown.

The Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) showcased exceptional capabilities in intercepting and neutralizing incoming threats, proving instrumental in enhancing India’s defence effectiveness during 'Operation Sindoor.' This operation highlighted the key role of advanced integrated air defence systems in modern warfare.

The IACCS represents a sophisticated and cohesive framework designed to deliver comprehensive air situational awareness and effective management of Indian airspace. This development underscores India's imperative to bolster its Air Defence (AD) capabilities, moving away from disparate legacy radar systems towards a unified, real-time command and control infrastructure.

The IACCS integrates various data sources and utilizes advanced technologies to enhance operational responsiveness and decision-making in air defence operations.

Development of the IACCS

The evolution of the IACCS mirrors the broader advancement of Network Centric Operations (NCO) in India, transitioning from rudimentary support frameworks to advanced Command and Control (C2C) capabilities.

In the initial phases, India's AD strategy relied on a disjointed Air Defence Ground Environment, characterized by disparate and outdated radar systems operating in the VHF to S bands, with control centers functioning autonomously. These legacy radars lacked the capacity for networking integration, highlighting the urgent need for a cohesive and unified system to enhance response times and overall effectiveness of air defence operations.

The next phase laid the groundwork for the digital integration of communication networks, although data automation was constrained by reliance on third- and fourth-generation processing technologies. The progression from automated data handling systems to more sophisticated data processing capabilities marked a significant leap forward. Moreover, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has actively pursued the integration of newer radar systems into this network-centric architecture to bolster operational efficacy.

The milestone progress was achieved in integrating several sensors, including both ground-based radars and surveillance systems, as well as aerial platforms such as AWACS, drones, fighter aircraft, and communication devices, into a centralised network. Multi-sensor fusion was successfully achieved, providing RASP to coordinate and control both AD and Offensive operations.

The emphasis transitioned to developing a real-time representation of the aerial battlespace to provide situational awareness and efficient command and control capabilities in the air domain. Additionally, the simulation package was developed to create a variety of operational scenarios for training the operational crew.

Significance of the IACCS

The IACCS is of paramount importance for India's national security and defence strategy. The various factors which put IACCS at a higher platform are enumerated below.

(a) Augmented Air Situational Awareness: It delivers a cohesive and thorough real-time aerial overview, combining information from multiple sensors nationwide. This facilitates the prompt detection, identification, and monitoring of both friendly and adversarial aerial objects.

(b) Enhanced Decision-Making: The IACCS facilitates expedited and informed decision-making for air defence as well as Offensive operations by providing a unified and precise air picture, encompassing threat evaluation, target prioritisation, and resource distribution.

(c) Enhanced Resource Allocation: The system enables the effective deployment of AD assets, including fighter jets, surface-to-air missile systems, and anti-aircraft artillery, assuring optimal threat response.

(d) Uninterrupted Interoperability: It guarantees uninterrupted communication and coordination across the many branches of the Indian armed forces engaged in air defence, comprising the IAF and Indian Army. Army’s Akashteer is prominently benefitted by IACCS.

(e) Deterrence: A comprehensive and cohesive air defence system, such as IACCS, serves as a formidable deterrent to prospective aerial threats, demonstrating India's proficiency in efficiently safeguarding its airspace.

Unique Capabilities

The IACCS has various distinctive capabilities that differentiate it from other networking systems. The salient features are appended below:

(a) Multi-Sensor Data Fusion: The system integrates data from multiple sensors, including long-range radars, airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) systems, and civilian air traffic control data, to generate a precise and comprehensive aerial representation.

(b) Automated Threat Assessment and reaction: Utilising AI and ML algorithms, the IACCS can swiftly evaluate threats, forecast trajectories, and provide appropriate reaction solutions based on available resources, therefore substantially minimising human involvement time in critical scenarios.

(c) Enabling Network-Centric Warfare: This constitutes the foundation of India's network-centric warfare capabilities, facilitating real-time information exchange and coordinated actions among geographically distant forces. The developing threat scenario is shared with relevant agencies to enable the operational crew to acquire the threat at the earliest opportunity and react to neutralise it. This ensures the economy of efforts by the AD system.

(d) Indigenous Development and Customisation: A substantial segment of the IACCS has been produced locally, facilitating enhanced customisation to meet India's specific operational needs and assuring data security. This corresponds with India's overarching drive for self-sufficiency in defence technology and the advancement of its domestic technological ecosystem.

(e) Integration with Civilian Air Traffic Control: Military radar coverage is focused on strategically vital regions. At times, there may be small gaps in radar coverage due to sensor maintenance issues. The capability to interface with civilian air traffic control systems provides a comprehensive view of all aerial operations, thereby enhancing both military and civilian air situational awareness.

Notwithstanding its sophisticated functionalities, there are various impediments to the IACCS operations. Although the Indian air defence environment is being modernised, India still uses a few vintage systems, such as Bison interceptors and older radar technologies. There are significant gaps in India's airspace protection, as traditional radar systems are ineffective at detecting UAV swarms or low-observable threats. MiG-21s, which were first used in the 1960s, have a high accident rate and aren't designed to deal with current high-speed threats like stealth drones or cruise missiles.

Other specific constraints the IACCS encounters are mentioned below:

Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities: The IACCS, being a highly interconnected and data-driven system, is prone to advanced cyberattacks. Implementing stringent cybersecurity protocols is essential to safeguard against breaches and protect operational integrity.

Infrastructure Deficiencies: Although India's infrastructure has advanced, obstacles such as a dependable power supply and high-speed internet access in remote regions, including planes and hilly terrain, may still hinder the effective operation of the distributed elements of the IACCS.

Future Plans

The future objectives for the IACCS aim to enhance its capabilities through the use of modern technology and increased integration. Future versions will integrate AI and ML for predictive analytics, autonomous decision-making, and sophisticated threat identification, making them more self-learning and flexible. Improved integration with India's developing military satellite network for surveillance, communication, and navigation will provide a more complete aerial picture.

Due to the growing drone threat, the IACCS will incorporate detection, tracking, and neutralisation technologies.8 Quantum computing for fast data processing and quantum communications for secure data transmission could safeguard the system against emerging dangers. In defence technology, India should prioritise indigenous development while also pursuing strategic cooperation with international partners for certain advanced technologies, similar to its developing trade and economic partnerships with the US, France, etc.

The development, deployment, and maintenance of a sophisticated system need significant financial and technical resources. Conclusion The accomplishment of IACCS stood out due to the demonstration of India's expanding technological prowess and its dedication to developing a strong and cutting-edge air defence system in the midst of what experts are calling "the most significant bilateral confrontation since 2019". The IACCS has synergized the air defence operations of the Indian Army and Air Force, culminating in a cohesive networked architecture.

This integration enhances the net-centric operational capabilities essential for contemporary warfare, enabling rapid situational awareness and response. India's strategic investment in advanced air defence systems, coupled with sophisticated command and control frameworks, is evidenced by its remarkable success in threat neutralization.

As a result of its continuous evolution and integration of cutting-edge technologies—including artificial intelligence—India has positioned itself as a significant contributor to global defence innovation, pushing the envelope in operational effectiveness and defence strategy.