Address to the Troops Rajouri

Motivated Soldiers: a Force Multiplier

Dear Jawans, JCOs and Officers, I am indeed very happy to visit 25 Infantry Division Units of Northern Command. When I am with you, I remember my visit to Uri, where I met the troops of 12 Infantry Brigade and also my recent visit to Siachen sector, where I met the members of 102 Infantry Brigade of Northern command. Now I am visiting you. In spite of many challenges experienced in the mountain warfare and cross border terrorism, when I see you, you all look very smart, you look combat ready and through gracious smile in your faces you look winning. I know the successes you have achieved in many of the battles and honors you have earned. I see in your face the powerful radiation of enthusiasm, which shows the determination in your mind and will power that you will not allow any aggression in any part of our land, particularly with troops at Rajouri.

Agni with a mission

At this point, I would like to recall an incident, which took place in forward area near Kumar located at an altitude of 16000 feet in Siachen Glacier on 2-April-2004. I shook hands with Williams, Naik, Salim and Avtar Singh ? everyone shook hands with me at the freezing temperature. My hands got warmer and warmer and suddenly I felt in front of me an Agni with a mission. This power of Agni is with you and in you, when challenges occur, you will destroy the injustice, the enemy and the evil design wherever they come from. This is the message for Indian jawans, wherever you are.

Three-tier fencing of importance

Just now I am returning from the Forward Defended Localities (FDL), where I saw the three-tier fencing being constructed as a counter infiltration measure extending to the length of over six hundred and forty kilometers. The Corps of Engineers are doing an excellent job and I am sure that the project will be completed, by the end June 2004. This is a remarkable achievement for the troops in this sector. The fencing supported by electronic surveillance systems such as unmanned ground sensors, battlefield surveillance radars, intruder alarm systems and long-range reconnaissance and monitoring systems will make this sector impenetrable by the intruders.

Battlefield handheld Computer

The handheld computer called BAAZ, weighing 875 grams was demonstrated to me this week in Rashtrapati Bhavan. This is a unique effort made by the Army in collaboration with a private industry. This battle computer has an integrated GPS and Radio, a customized GIS and a battlefield application, with a dynamic wireless LAN spread over multiple kilometers. This enables battlefield situational awareness and communication to a soldier who is part of a team, which will give soldiers the most powerful weapon of all - information. BAAZ is a compact, user-friendly computer packed with excellent features for providing perimeter security, surveillance and target designation, command and control with triple DES encryption. It also has a remotely operated self-destruction and activation feature for preventing misuse by unauthorized persons. I have suggested integrating the information from GPR for accessing online information on Crevasses and also provision of avalanche forecast information in real time in the Glaciers through BAAZ, in coordination with SASE, Manali. It is also possible to have bio-sensor as a part of hand-held computer. When I saw a solider holding the BAAZ, I am reminded of the smart solider of the 21st century.

Smart solider

When I see you, I visualize in few decades, that the configuration of the soldier in the planet will undergo a change with focus on the soldier carrying payload with lighter and high performance weapons, high calorie food and intelligent clothing to meet the temperature variance and self contained networked communication systems. These features will assist the mobility, leading to survivability in the battlefield.

Mobility, survivability and lethality can be provided through integrated helmet, body protection and weapon instrumentation. The integrated helmet carries computer and sensor display, night vision instruments, communication systems, video camera and image intensifier. Body protection is accomplished through smart clothing, ballistic protection at reduced weight, smart shoes, NBC suits when needed and mine sensors. Lethality is enhanced through weapon instrumentation having thermal weapon sight, laser range finder, digital compass and GPS receiver. The weight carried by soldiers need to be considerably reduced at least 50% through development of light weight clothing, weapons, computers, communication systems etc, which will ensure greater mobility to the soldiers and improved combat efficiency. This is particularly important in India where the soldiers have to move and fight in steep and undulating mountains. I can imagine that a few years from now, you will have the Intelligence gathering apparatus and the computer and communication systems being printed as part of your apparel. I can also imagine that you will have thousands of tiny robots that act as intelligent mobile sensors and connected by a wireless network assisting you in many of your endeavors. You will soon be the smartest warrior surrounded by technological innovations that are entirely Indian and would operate with the traditional dedication of the Indian Jawan. Training for battle inoculation, mountain warfare and desert warfare need to be tuned to the emerging battlefield scenario. Ultimately, military motivation will act as a force multiplier.

Development of indigenous system

When I am here, I am also reminded of the unique contribution rendered by our soldiers and airmen in the development of missiles, combat vehicles and electronic warfare equipment by R&D Laboratories. While I was in Defence R&D, I have personally seen the contribution, of officers and men from the Army, Navy and Air Force in the flight-test ranges during the launches of Prithivi and Agni missiles. They work with utmost dedication and commitment along with our scientists and they take pride in the development of indigenous systems, which will be eventually in the hands of the soldiers in the forward area. Whether it is the Main Battle Tank, Small arms systems, Electronic Warfare System - Samyukta, FSAPDS, high altitude food, NBC protection system, scientists and technologists from R&D Labs and Armed forces personnel have always worked as partners for a national cause. They have a partnership to succeed.

Conclusion

While concluding, what could be my message. One important way in which man can attain happiness and freedom, joy, delirium and ecstasy is by not staying at home with family even to the point where often enough they sacrifice being with there nearest and dearest in favour of war. Even in our epics, they celebrated the participating warriors for fighting for the cause of righteousness (Dharma). This we have experienced in all the wars India had fought.

You are defending a nation of billion people, the world?s largest democracy. There is a Vision for our nation to become a developed nation by the year 2020. A young school girl said to me that she wants to live in a peaceful, happy, prosperous and safe India. She represents the 540 million youth of this nation. India has always stood for peace during the last 3000 years. Invaders after invaders have come to our country and taken away our wealth and culture and destroyed the national fabric. We want to become economically strong. Peace is essential; peace can come only through strength. Armed Forces give us that strength. Definitely the country will ensure that your strength is continuously enhanced as I discussed, so that you provide the strength to the nation and the mission of economic development progresses unhindered.

I would like to assure you that the entire Nation is with you in this honourable mission. We are all very proud of the Indian Army and particularly your achievements. I wish you all the very best to succeed in all your future missions. My greetings to your families.

May God bless you.