COMBAT GADGETS

I will start this article by giving you a forewarning, this too is a critical analysis of the technological abyss that our forces find themselves in. So if you can't take criticism about our nation in a positive and constructive way I suggest you stop reading this NOW!

In this article I will try to enlighten you about some of the various modern day technological solutions that are used for protection of own forces during the present day complex and sophisticated modern warfare. So without further ado let us begin -

1. IFF - Identification Friend or Foe

These systems are widely used in combat aircraft and warships to avoid friendly fire incidents. IFF used in aircrafts works different way, they send out specific radar signals when they are tracked by radars and if the radars that are tracking the aircraft are friendly they will process the signal and classify the aircraft as friendly. But something that has been neglected by our forces is the question of "how do you identify your soldiers in an intense close quarter battle during night time ?". This question has already been answered by other countries, and the answer is IR strobes. Infrared strobes are lights that work in the infrared spectrum and these lights blink in a specific pattern. So when observed through either a night vision googles or a thermal imaging device the observer is able to distinguish between the enemy and friendly forces. This is specially important when aircrafts are providing close air support and suppressing the enemy by utilising their air to ground capabilities.

2. K9 vests

Are the trained combat dogs that insignificant to be considered as collateral damage? Sadly our forces thinks so. I for one love dogs more than human beings. Putting aside emotions do you know how much time, effort and money goes into training a dog to become adept at handling combat tasks? In developed countries dogs are considered as an equal among soldiers and is offered the same protection and safety that are given to soldiers (They even train their soldiers to give first aid to their dogs). They are even allowed to retire, whereas in our country the dogs that served the country are put down at the end of their career citing the reason that if allowed to be adopted they may transfer the secrets of their training, as if it was the very nuclear launch codes of the nation that they are entrusted with (As I am writing this I am boiling with anger). Like I said there are modern vests with in-built radio systems to relay commands from the handler to the dog from a distance, and yeah it comes fitted with GPS locator among other things like gas masks, googles etc...

3. Laser Rangefinder

See that little box shaped system mounted on the left side of the rifle, please don't confuse it with the scope. That piece of technology is called a rangefinder and what it does is that it shoots a narrow beam of high intensity light in the infrared spectrum and calculates the time it takes to reach back thereby effectively determining the distance. This allows the shooter to accurately calibrate the weapon to the identified distance. Advanced versions also carry a visible laser, humidity sensor, wind reading and direction sensors among other things which even more increases the accuracy and aids in precision shooting. The fun fact is that the most basic type of rangefinder is available in commercial DSLR cameras but not to the Indian soldier.

4. Variable Magnification Optics

Variable magnification optics are scopes mounted on rifles that have the ability to zoom in or zoom out just like a binocular, sounds easy right? Its not. Though zooming in or out is very easy one has to retain the 'zero' of the rifle, that is the rifle scopes are calibrated to a specific distance and each time there is a change in the magnification the bullet may entirely miss it's intended target (To make it simpler to understand remember that this is why in movies you see a sniper always adjusting his scope before firing). To overcome this Variable Magnification scopes are introduced which has options to preload the zero settings for different distances making adjusting of a scopes a thing of the past. The most simplest of Variable Magnification Optics is the addition of a magnifier in front of a red dot or a holographic sight which is the preferred combination of Russian special forces. Sadly again the ordinary Indian soldier is equipped with a rifle that fires only on its whims much less a rifle that can accept these accessories.

5. Integrated Tactical Headsets

These are not your run of the mill headsets. They are noise cancelling (LOL), just that they don't cancel your everyday noises, they cancel out the noises of gunfire and explosions. So does that make the person wearing it practically deaf in the middle of a battle? that's not good right?. These headsets cancels out only the deafening noises but allows the voices of your squad mates to be heard in a perfectly clear manner. That is you can talk just like you are sitting across your sofa and doesn't have to yell your commands. And it fits into a combat helmet without any hiccups. Again our armed forces are not equipped with such systems (They only got quality helmets last year).

Anyway I will end this one with a positive note. Our indigenous Joint Venture Protective Carbine (JVPC) co-developed by the army and DRDO has qualified the quality requirements of both the army and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). What makes the JVPC special is that it occupies a niche space and can be classified as a carbine and a PDW (Personal Defence Weapon), thus it can replace the sterling sub machine gun, H&K MP5 and AK-74U in one fell swoop. That is it can be issued to counter terrorists forces like NSG & Rashtriya Rifles and also to helicopter and tank crews due its compact size. It's development was inspired from the world famous Israeli Uzi and German H&K MP7 firearms though it packs a more powerful punch than the above mentioned two due to a bigger cartridge being used.

After all this time around Christmas brought not good but very good tidings for the Indian armed forces.