Quantum Jump by Indian Army in Weather Forecast Capabilities

Indian Polar Orbiting Satellite will collect data for the Weather, Climate, and Environmental Monitoring Application and feed it to this APP. The transfer of data and position of orbiting satellite will be controlled by a Ground Computer. The Polar Orbit Satellite makes 14 orbits around Earth in 24 hours. These orbits provide two complete views of the weather to the Control Computer and then on to the App. This App will be able to provide Weather Forecast Radar Images, Weather warnings, Air Quality, and Hyper-Local Forecasts of Weather and Phases of the Moon. Polar Satellite provides Hourly, Six Hourly, Daily and1 Day forecasts and has specific Winter Weather Forecast Features. It also provides Radar Views for Snowfall, Wind, Temperature, and Snow /Normal Storm Images.

All these Projects have been undertaken as; Automation of/in Force is a continuous process that keeps Evolving with Developing Technology, Increase Digital Footprints of the Army, and Simplifying Operational/Administrative Systems/Processes/Functions. In addition, it will improve the Functional Efficiency of Army Human Resource Management, Logistics, Inventory Management, Medical services, and various Administrative Functions. Troops deployed in Ladakh at/along the Line of Actual Control will be the first ones to receive, and operate this App which will provide Detailed Weather Projections to Commanders/Planners. As said earlier, these weather inputs are very critical for Commanders on the ground to Plan and carry out Operations. This App will help Artillery Units to fire more accurately.

As of date; the People's Liberation Army, PLA, of China; has deployed One Border Regiment, backed by Two Divisions deployed in Xinjiang and Tibet Military Districts. It has Four Combined Armed Brigades in reserve across LAC in East Ladakh. Our Army has to deal with the challenge of the Three Tiered Force Arrangement of PLA in the Western and Eastern Sector along the 3488 km long Line of Actual Control. It consists of Border Guards forming the First Layer, Tibet Military District Troops as the Second Layer, and Four Light to Medium Combined Armed Brigades, each with 4500 Troops with Mechanized/Armor forming the Third Layer. This Chinese Force is adequately matched by Indian Army and Armor Deployment braving a very Treacherous Terrain in East Ladakh. PLA is yet to Restore Patrolling Rights to Indian Army in Depsang Plains and Charding Ninglung Nullah Junction in Demchok without any Signs of de-escalation.

In Middle Sector, PLA has not deployed Troops. But, China has built a Dual Purpose Airport at Burang in Ngari opposite Uttarakhand on the way to Mount Kailash Mansarovar Lake Pilgrimage, thereby, ensuring Faster Deployment of PLA Troops in case of any Military Emergency. The situation in Eastern Sector is similar to Western Sector as Three CABs from Eastern and Northern PLA Theatre Commands have been inducted in this Sector across Cona Lhunze and Mainling Provinces in 2022. The situation is the same across the sensitive Siliguri corridor, which links India’s Northeastern States to the rest of the Country.PLA has deployed three CABs across the Siliguri Corridor across Phari Dzong, Shigatse, and Lhasa.

Indian Army took note of PLA Capacity and Capability along the Northern Borders and developed Anupam App in First Phase to facilitate the coordination of Fire Powers by Commanders. It is rumored that; its Proto Type Version has been tested during the Training Exercise “Buland Bharat” in Arunachal Pradesh. It validated the Receipt of Weather Information to bring down Integrated Fire Power by orchestrating synchronized firing by Artillery Guns and Fire Support Elements of Infantry aimed towards synergized surveillance by radars, weapon systems, and fire from the air. Destruction of Designated Targets.

No doubt; the provision of the Anupam App to Troops deployed on our Northern Border will Boost Up the capabilities of Commanders/Field Commanders to Forecast Weather in Advance, thereby, negating the possibility of Operations failing/suffering Set Back due to Changes in Weather in High Altitude which we could not predict accurately in the not so Distant Past. I will not term it a Game Changer as the Chinese also has this type of facility. But we have narrowed the gap existing till now and that is something to rejoice for.