India's first defence communication network goes live

India's first integrated defence communication network was launched on Thursday enabling the army, air force, navy and the Special Forces Command to share situational awareness for a faster decision-making process.

The Defence Communication Network, a strategic, highly secure and scalable system, has a pan-India reach -- from Ladakh to the North East to island territories.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, who inaugurated the network at South Block, emphasised on the need to keep the network completely secure all the time.

He said a false sense of security and safety should not creep in and the Standard Operating Procedures should be followed.

Parrikar said this network is a step towards jointmanship that the government is pushing for in the armed forces.

While all the three forces have their own command, communication and intelligence networks, this is the first time when there will be a dedicated network for greater synergy.

"Technology decides how the wars are fought these days. The network has a pan-India reach and is a testimony to the fact that Indian Army and the Corps of Signals are well placed to meet any challenges and responsibilities which come their way," Lt Gen Nitin Kohli, Signal Officer in Chief, said.

Built by HCL under a nearly Rs 600 crore project, DCN offers high quality voice, video and data services covering 111 entities spread across the country.

It is capable of working on terrestrial as well as satellite mode of communication and has also been fixed onboard different military vehicles.