Volume 30/issue 6 november/december 2022

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A s i a P a c i f i c ’ s L a r g e s t C i r c u la t e d D e f e n c e M a g a Z i n e

FAST NAVAL PATROL BOATS

COMMS FOR SPECIAL FORCES
UNDERSTANDING CHINESE EW
DEFEXPO INDIAN DEFENCE UPDATE
www.asianmilitaryreview.com
D a s s a u l t A v i a t i o n • S a f r a n • T h a l e s

OMNIROLE
- Photo F. Robineau - Dassault Aviation

Rafale carries out different complex combat assignments simultaneously. This makes it different
from so-called “multirole” or “swing-role” aircraft. Higher systems integration, advanced
data fusion, and inherent low observability all make Rafale the first true omnirole fighter.
Able to fight how you want, when you want, where you want. Rafale. The OMNIROLE fighter
Contents
november / december 2022
VOLUME 30 / ISSUE 6

06
volUme 30/iSSUe 6 november/december 2022
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AsiA PAcific’s LArgest circuLAted defence MAgAZine

FAST NAVAL PATROL BOATS

COMMS FOR SPECIAL FORCES
UNDERSTANDING CHINESE EW
DEFEXPO INDIAN DEFENCE UPDATE
www.asianmilitaryreview.com

The Antasena Tank Boat completed a series of

sea trials and tests in 2021, including firing its ENSURING GLOBAL CONNECTIVITY FOR
30mm cannon at the Paiton Navy shooting range.
The Tank Boat is a programme of the Ministry of SPECIAL FORCES
Defense of Indonesia. (PT Pindad) Andrew White looks at the options for Special Forces facing disrupted communications.

10 18

NEW LEVELS OF
UNDERSTANDING
Thomas Withington uncovers the Chinese
COASTAL GATEKEEPERS Army’s tactics for battlefield electronic
warfare employment.
Coastal craft are transforming with more speed and longer range. JR Ng finds out why.

14

INDIA’S INDIGENOUS INTENT

Mike Rajkumar reports from Def Expo on India’s stuttering indigenous plans for modernisation.

november / December 2022 Asian Military Review 03

Editorial
Index of Advertisers
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04 Asian Military Review september / october 2022

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 Kymeta
Land power

Special forces need to keep communications open

even in the most austere environments, such as on the
Pamir Highway in the Pamir Mountains in Tajikistan,
neighbouring Afghanistan.

ENSURING GLOBAL CONNECTIVITY

FOR SPECIAL FORCES
Overcoming the challenge of disrupted communications for special forces operating in
contested environments.

by Andrew White

O
n 1 September, the UK of GPS signals across an area of several Hungary to discuss the ongoing war in
Ministry of Defence square kilometres”. Ukraine and the future of special forces
(MoD) published its “There is very limited recourse to non- around the world.
‘UK Space Power’ Joint space based systems given GPS services One of the most relevant discussions
Doctrine which outlined are integrated into most land systems conducted at the GSOF Europe
some of the challenges facing the Armed from tactical radios to missile systems,” Symposium was that of communications
Forces in terms of vulnerability to space- the MoD document explained. in contested environments, similar
based Global Positioning System (GPS) GPS is routinely used by special to those being experienced first hand
signals. operations forces (SOF) to support by Ukrainian Armed Forces Special
As the report described, GPS signals positioning, navigation and timing Operations Forces (UASOF) in the
continue to be “susceptible to jamming (PNT) as well as strategic satellite ongoing conflict in eastern Europe.
or deceptive spoofing” in contested areas communications (SATCOM) providing Addressing delegates at the event,
of operation- something which has been high capacity reach back to headquarters commander of UASOF, Brigadier
highly prevalent in the ongoing war in often located hundreds if not thousands General Viktor Khorenko demanded a
Ukraine since Russian forces invaded on of miles away. series of ‘innovations’ for the special
24 February. Between 5-6 October, senior operations units under his command.
The report described how even low commanders from across the European He said that “secure, low visibility and
power jammers could be easily and and North American special operations low profile” communications solutions
quickly deployed to “prevent the receipt community gathered in Budapest, were required which would allow SOF

06 Asian Military Review november / December 2022

 Land power

Kymeta
operators to communicate without
being detected or disrupted by Russian
Electronic Warfare (EW) units.
UASOF are operating a variety
of solutions including L3Harris
Technologies’ Falcon III RF-7800 series
handheld, vehicular and manpack radio
sets. Radios are capable of operating the
US Army’s Single Channel Ground and
Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS)
waveform which according to the US
Department of Defense (DoD) “provides
secure line-of-sight transmissions”.
Critical to the success of special
operations conducted by UASOF in
Ukraine is command and control (C2)
of units across the battlefield, something Antenna in the form of flat panel user terminals, such as Kymeta’s Osprey u8, can be attached
which requires a robust communications to tactical vehicles
network capable of passing high
throughputs of data at low latency for are looking to protect themselves from and come up with a unique solution
near real-time updates from across interference by the People’s Republic of for SOF for an effective C2. There are
the battlespace. More often than not, China and Democratic People’s Republic also some proposed changes on the
SATCOM is relied upon to support C2 of Korea. conventional side for C2 which will
and common operating pictures. The People’s Liberation Army effect SOF,” Sándor added.
Lessons learned from Ukraine of SOF (PLA) for example, has already been Also speaking was Brigadier General
operating in potentially GPS-disrupted acknowledged by the US DOD as Branislav Benka, Commander of
areas of operation are of particular possessing anti-satellite (ASAT) Slovakia’s 5th Special Forces Regiment
interest to special forces units around the weapon systems capable of destroying who described how he had just visited
World which might be seeking to protect geostationary satellites equipped with Ukraine to speak with the Ministry of
operators from similar threats, albeit GPS or Global Navigation Satellite Defence to discuss lessons learned from
from different adversaries. System (GNSS) payloads- critical to the ongoing war. “We are spending
In North America, the US Special enabling efficient SATCOM. hours and days to set up the network
Operations Command (USSOCOM) Discussing the problem of assuring and set up the headquarters and tactical
is also grappling with the problem real-time C2 in contested environments operations centres,” he described. “We
of helping SOF to communicate in such as Ukraine at the GSOF Europe are doing something wrong. We need to
contested environments. Symposium, SOF commanders from bring a lot of equipment to set up while
At the GSOF Europe Symposium, across Central Europe considered how to the peer to peer conflict is running a
USSOCOM’s acquisition executive, Jim improve the current situation in support different way’, Benka added.
Smith confirmed communications in of special operations. “How do we develop a totally different
contested environments remains a top Defence sources explained to Asian type of C2 system? We are working on
priority for the Tampa-based command Military Review how senior leadership this as of now to develop practices and
although he conceded the organisation from the Composite Special Operations experiences coming from the ground in
did not yet possess the solution they Component Command - a temporarily Ukraine,” he added before also referring
want. deployable SOF command featuring to discussions regarding a SOF-specific
“We’re not there yet,” he told Belgian, Danish and Dutch special forces C2 solution over recent years.
delegates. “I want our operators to be components - had discussed challenges
able to talk without getting detected and associated with Communications Technology Support
have their output get to where it needs to and Information Systems (CIS) in the Thanks to ongoing efforts by the defence
without being altered.” contemporary operating environment. industrial base, solutions to overcome
US SOF are operating a variety Similar concerns were raised by Major GPS and RF-jamming by adversarial EW
of software defined radios including General Tamás Sándor, Commander, units continues to become available to
L3Harris’s AN/PRC-163 Next Hungarian SOF (HUNSOF) who called SOF around the world.
Generation Tactical Communications for his organisation and the wider One of the most relevant solutions is
handheld devices which support a community of European SOF partners to self-forming and self-healing mobile ad
variety of Low Probability of Intercept/ “listen to what our Ukrainian friends are hoc networks (MANETs) which mesh
Low Probability of Detection (LPI/LPD) telling us”. together dozens and even hundreds of
waveforms. “They can tell us how effective [C2] point-to-point nodes across a battlespace
is in the real world. We had C2 in Iraq without any requirement to network
Indo Pacific and Afghanistan but it is not as available with geostationary satellites. Specialist
Such trends are being closely observed as we thought in this new [operating] MANET radios have become incredibly
in the Indo-Pacific arena where the environment,” he warned. popular across the international SOF
likes Japan and the Republic of Korea “We need to be learning from Ukraine community, particularly as they are a

november / December 2022 Asian Military Review 07

Land power

environments [enabling] a suite of

75th Ranger Regiment

tools that facilitates effective signal
intelligence and EW training based in
our training facility in Lincoln, or can be
purchased for in-house training delivery
requirements.”
BATTLEYE’s technology-based
mission planning tool could also be
used for ‘mission planning of in-field
communications to determine the
impact of terrain, elevation and power
supply requirements - resulting in
clear and secure communications for
personnel on the ground.’ MASS further
explains that: “Due to the tool’s ability
to highlight the complexity and range
of factors that affect communications,
BATTLEYE is often used as an impactful
training software that helps to reduce
risk.” However, MASS was unable
to confirm to Asian Military Review
whether NEWTS or BATTLEYE was
L3Harris Technologies’ AN/PRC-163 Next Generation Tactical Communications (NGTC) in operational service with any SOF
software-defined radio as worn by a member of the US Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment. customers, citing operational security
concerns.
Finally, the international SOF
more cost effective solution to expensive, The other MANET specialist community is also paying close attention
two-channel software defined radios. provider which also equips SOF units to emerging capabilities associated
Examples include Persistent Systems’ around the world is Silvus Technologies. with low earth orbit (LEO) satellite
handheld MPU5 radio which features Their lightest and smallest form constellations.
the Wave Relay MANET waveform. factor handheld MANET radio is the As the UK MoD’s ‘Space Power’
According to Steatite Streamcaster Lite 4200 which also document highlighted, the “majority of
Communications, a reseller in the UK, relies upon MIMO technology. Half UK military capabilities will continue to
the MPU5 uses Multiple Input, Multiple the size and a third of the weight of its rely on GPS in the near term, alternative
Output (MIMO) technology to deliver predecessor, the Streamcaster 4200, the GNSS capabilities are being pursued to
“extremely high bandwidth and extended Lite variant can support up to 20Mbps improve resilience.”
link distances with up to 100Mbps of in throughput at latency levels down to Consequently, the MoD and
actual user throughput, transferring as low as 28ms, according to a company partner nations around the world are
high resolution imagery and HD video source. looking how the potential loss of GPS
allowing for real-time information signals could be mitigated by reducing
exchange and comprehensive situational Assessing the threat dependency on legacy geostationary
awareness”. Before SOF deploy into a contested area satellites in addition to the development
“MIMO’s reliability, versatility of operation, commanders can also use of alternative solutions and services as
and high bandwidth makes it ideal a variety of simulation and modelling part of a ‘system of systems’ approach.
for blasting out necessary real-time tools to assess EW threats including LEO satellite constellations, which
information, such as GPS locations, denial and disruption of GPS and GNSS. are made up of hundreds or thousands
maps, reconnaissance video streams, Examples include MASS’s Networked of smaller, cheaper and expendable
and voice messages in complex EW Training Simulator (NEWTS) which
urban, subterranean, and maritime features the ‘Battleye’ EW Mission
environments,” a company statement Support Tool; Communications
confirmed. Exploitation Training Tool (COMETT);
Also available and in use with SOF and Signals of Interest (SOI) Repository.
internationally is Trellisware’s family The company states that the NEWTS is
of MANET radios which run the TSM a ‘non-operational, procedural training
waveform, currently in service with application which has been designed
the USSOCOM. Examples include the to be used over LAN and / or WAN
TW-950 TSM Shadow which according architecture.’
to a company spokesperson, supports MASS also states that “they can be
“simultaneous voice talk-groups, rapid used in isolation for individual training,
position location reporting, IP data but when combined they replicate a The StreamCaster Lite 4200 from Silvus
and video streaming in a compact form real-life EW operations intelligence Technologies is the company’s smallest and
factor”. cycle, fulfilling collective training lightest radio.

08 Asian Military Review november / December 2022

 Land power

L3Harris
u8 user C-ESA which has been integrated
on board Polaris Government and
Defense’s MRZR 4x4 vehicle which is in
service with the USSOCOM as the Light
Tactical All Terrain Vehicle (LTATV).
Weighing 125lb (56.8kg) and
measures 90cm x 90cm x 15cm, the
Osprey is capable of enabling data
throughput up to 195Mbps at latency
rates as low as 100ms, according to
defence sources.
Hughes Network Systems has
designed a 22lb (10kg) Half Duplex
C-ESA which can be integrated on board
any tactical ground vehicle; in addition
to a Full Duplex C-ESA variant for
airborne ISR platforms. Finally, Intellian
has designed a 9dB/k C-ESA which
is small enough in size and weight be
carried by a dismounted SOF operator.
US SOF are operating a variety of software Speaking to AMR, OneWeb’s Billy
defined radios including L3Harris’s AN/PRC- Bingham, head of Government at the
163 Next Generation Tactical Communications company, described how SOF were
handheld devices. often required to conduct missions in
austere and remote regions, requiring
spacecraft compared to larger, much connectivity to maximise their situation
more expensive and cumbersome GEO awareness and streamline decision-
spacecraft, are able to quickly hand-off making processes.
connectivity to neighbouring satellites “Capable of automatically tracking

AD
should they detect any disruption in GPS satellites even when on the move,
connectivity. Current LEO providers C-ESA technologies must be small,
understood to be in discussions with lightweight, cost effective and modem
international SOF units include Space-X agnostic, allowing operators to connect
and OneWeb. to commercial and military frequency
In Ukraine, the armed forces have spectrum bands including Ka and Ku.
already employed Space X’s Starlink “OneWeb supports a range of third
LEO SATCOM capability at the frontline party C-ESA user terminals, ideally
although this was successfully disrupted suited to supporting SOF customers
by Russian EW units, according to the anywhere in the World, at any time,” he
French Space Command. added before confirming COTP- and
One defence source associated with COTM-capable C-ESAs will be available
the technology type described AMR to potential SOF customers in 2023.
how LEO satellite constellations were SOF also benefit from low profile
less susceptible to attack by kinetic antennae and LPI/LPD waveforms
ASAT weapons which continue to be which allow operators to reduce
developed by China and Russia. detection, disruption and interception of
SOF are able to access LEO radio frequency signals by adversaries,
constellation connectivity through Bingham added.
lightweight and compact electronically
steerable antenna (C-ESA) solutions Conclusion
(also referred to as flat panel user Special operations in GPS/GNSS-
terminals) which can be integrated denied environments look set to become
on the roof section of tactical ground increasingly common, particularly in
vehicles. C-ESAs, developed by the eastern Europe and the Indo Pacific.
likes of Hughes Network Systems, As they roll out PACE (primary,
Kymeta, Intellian and countless other alternate, contingency and emergency)
providers, can allow SOF teams to not communications plans, SOF must
only communicate on-the-pause (COTP) identify suitable alternatives to legacy
but also on-the-move (COTM), even geostationary satellite networks to
when travelling at high speed across any ensure operators benefit from resilient
terrain type. and secure levels in connectivity, no
Examples include Kymeta’s Osprey matter what the operating environment.
sea power

and international marketing. The Tank Boat

PT Pindad
is based on local shipbuilder PT Lundin’s X18
Indonesia’s Antasena Tank Boat Tank Boat platform, while PT Len Industri
X-18 can attain a sprint speed of and PT Hariff Daya Tunggal Engineering will
40 knots and a maximum range supply the communications equipment and
of about 600 nautical miles. battle management system (BMS) respectively.
Although the first is thought to It is expected that production Tank Boats
be going to the Indonesian Army will eventually meet the TNI-AL’s brown water
it is likely that any fleet will be and coastal security requirements, although
operated by the Indonesian Navy. the first prototype looks to be headed to the
Indonesian Army. The craft is designed to
support the Indonesian Armed Forces by
conducting patrols along Indonesia's seas,
rivers, and coastlines, as well as coast guard
operations, said PT Pindad in a statement,
adding that the programme is being supported
by the Indonesian defence ministry.
According to PT Pindad, the Tank Boat
has an overall beam of 6.1m and a draught of
only one metre, which enables it to access very
shallow waters. It can attain a sprint speed of
40 knots and a maximum range of about 600
nautical miles when cruising at 9kts.
The prototype craft is fitted with a Cockerill
3030 remote turret mounting a Northrop

COASTAL
Grumman Mk44 30mm chain gun. It is also
armed with two 12.7mm heavy machine guns
mounted on separate remote weapon stations

GATEKEEPERS
(RWS) for close-in fire support.
The design was first unveiled as the Fire
Support Vessel (FSV) concept at the 2014 Indo
Defence exhibition in Jakarta. It is centred on
a 18m x 6.6m wide foil-assisted catamaran
Offshore patrol vessels are being adapted for longer range patrols hull that is primarily constructed from carbon
composite material and is specifically designed
with a range of weapons to suit growing mission profiles. to operate in shallow waters.
The Tank Boat is equipped with a pair
by JR Ng of 1,200hp MAN V8 engines and MJP450

S
waterjets that will accelerate it to its top speed,
mall and agile surface vessels at an affordable cost. However, platform while a 6,000-litre fuel tank supports extended
continue to be fielded by Indo capability and performance are not sacrificed operations. The vessel will be operated by a
Pacific navies and coastguards for in the name of affordability. Indeed, several four-person crew and can accommodate up to
a wide variety of patrol tasks close navies have clearly put considerable thought 20 troops, as well as launch and recover a rigid-
to shore where there is a low level and effort into the design and specifications hull inflatable boat at the stern.
of conventional naval threats. However, they that have manifested in the form of unique The company earlier partnered with
are no less important by ensuring that ‘the first hull forms, propulsion, mission equipment, as Belgium’s CMI Defence to include its
and last mile’ of sea lines of communication well as high operability levels. 105mm low pressure gun as the X18 concept’s
(SLOC) remain secure from threats such as proposed main armament, although the
maritime terrorism and piracy. Indonesia resultant prototype design was equipped with
Moreover, enduring concerns such as State-owned company PT Pindad announced the Cockerill Protected Weapon Station Gen 2
border and installation protection, economic in May 2021 that its ‘Antasena’ Tank Boat turret armed with the 30mm chain gun instead.
exclusive zone (EEZ) monitoring and prototype had undergone a series of sea and
protection, as well as smuggling, human weapon trials in waters off East Java. The 18 Singapore
trafficking/illegal immigration and resource metre catamaran successfully fired its 30mm The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) has
exploitation, and environmental pollution automatic cannon at the Indonesian Navy's fielded a fleet of around eight stealthy, high-
have also placed a premium on the resources on (Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Laut - speed vessels called the Specialised Marine
regional navies given the limited capacity and TNI-AL) Paiton weapons range after having Craft (SMC). Introduced quietly in the mid-
firepower of most constabulary organisations. transited there from Banyuwangi. 2010s, the SMC has replaced the service's 20
As such, small patrol vessels and other The company is fronting a local tonne Fast Boat inshore patrol craft. These
specialised craft remain relevant for these consortium for the Tank Boat programme saw service from 1990 and were subsequently
forces despite their secondary nature, and are and is responsible for integration work on the retired in 2008, and are now used to perform
ideal for patrolling and securing coastal waters vessel’s weapons systems, as well as domestic inshore and coastal interception of maritime

10 Asian Military Review november / december 2022

 SEA power

PT Pindad
threat’s as one of the nodes within the country’s as broader maritime security operations with
multi-layered and networked maritime security the service’s Littoral Mission Vessels (LMVs).
architecture. The latter are larger, multirole platforms
The existence of the SMC was first designed for a broader range of operations
acknowledged during the Ministry of Defence’s including coastal patrols (with a longer
(MINDEF’s) annual Defence Technology endurance compared to the SMCs) and air
Prize awards, which recognise significant defence through their VL Mica surface-to-air
contributions by engineers and scientists in missiles (SAMs).
enhancing the country's defence capabilities in The RSN first fielded a 22m long x 5.5m
2006. The SMC project team was awarded the wide prototype that served to refine programme
2006 Team Engineering Prize for "the design requirements as well as acting as a testbed to
and development of a highly manoeuvrable validate new technologies as development
and compact marine craft for the Singapore progressed. The prototype is understood to have
Armed Forces". MINDEF also stated that "the commenced from around 2003 in partnership
high-speed craft enables the crew to perform with ST Engineering Marine, the Defence
PT Pindad’s ‘Antasena’ Tank Boat prototype
a variety of missions across the operational Science and Technology Agency (DSTA)
had undergone a series of sea and weapon
continuum expeditiously and effectively in the and DSO National Laboratories. After the
trials in waters off East Java.
busy waters of Singapore." first craft entered service it was subsequently
The SMC is operated by a complement evolved through extensive at-sea testing and
of four crew comprising the commander, user feedback into an improved 25m long x craft is also stated to be capable of operating
coxswain, navigator, and a weapons/ 6m wide design which was delivered to the up to a range of 250nm while at 20kts.
communications specialist. According to the RSN for trials around mid-2014. The SMC is armed with a forward-
RSN, extensive human-factors engineering According to official specifications released mounted Oto Melara Hitrole G stabilised
has been incorporated to increase crew by MINDEF, the SMC is powered by two weapon station with a 12.7mm heavy
effectiveness including multifunction and MTU 16V2000 M94 diesel engines each machine gun in a stealthy housing. It is also
reconfigurable consoles that enable each crew rated at 2,600hp which power two Hamilton outfitted with a long-range acoustic device
member to access critical information and HM651 waterjets that enable the vessel to (LRAD) to warn off intruding vessels, while
systems from their respective stations. attain maximum sprint speeds in excess of crew situational awareness is enhanced by
However, the RSN has also stated that the 30kts, although observers believe that the a mast-mounted electro-optical/infrared
SMC can undertake higher end missions such actual speed is significantly higher given its (EO/IR) sensor turret with an integrated
as force protection for other RSN assets as well wave-piercing, speed-optimised hull form. The laser rangefinder that has been developed by

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sea power

MINDEF
In March 2022, Babcock signed an News Agency (PNA) on the same day.
agreement with the New Zealand Defence Once commissioned, the vessels will be
Force to carry out maintenance and upgrade known as BRP Nestor Acero and BRP Lolinato
work on the two decommissioned IPVs that To-Ong. Both vessels were launched in Haifa,
have been subsequently sold to Ireland. The Israel in June 2022.
two vessels, ex-HMNZS Rotoiti and ex- The Philippines Department of National
HMNZS Pukaki, were acquired by the Irish Defense (DND) had earlier issued a notice
Ministry of Defence for the country's naval of award (NOA) to Israel Shipyards for eight
service in a government-to-government missile-capable fast craft in February 2021,
agreement announced on 11 March which was although it had not disclosed the vessel type
worth $28 million. The acquisition includes that will be procured at that time.
a requirement to restore the ships to Lloyds The identity of the new craft only came to
classification standards in New Zealand before light in May when Israel Shipyards announced
being delivered to Ireland in April 2023. that it had won a tender to supply Shaldag
The Singapore Navy’s Specialised Marine “The scope of work will include an overhaul MkV fast patrol boats to the navy of “an East
Craft (SMC) has an official top speed of of the main and auxiliary engines, docking Asian country” worth around $128 million,
30 knots but is thought to be able to go both vessels for hull preservation, propellor including upgrade works at an unspecified
significantly faster. and rudder overhaul, inspection, service, and Philippine Navy facility.
commissioning of all electric, mechanical, The Shaldag MkV is all-aluminium attack
ST Electronics subsidiary STELOP (now hydraulic, and communication systems craft with a displacement of 95 tonnes and an
Advanced Networks & Sensors, or ANS). In required to return the vessels to Lloyds class,” overall length and beam of 32.65m and 6.2m
addition there is an extensive communications stated Babcock, noting that other work on the respectively. The type can attain maximum
suite that supports seamless access to the RSN’s vessels would include modifications to ensure stated speeds in excess of 40kts, and a range
common maritime situational picture and can compatibility with the equipment fit of the of 1,000nm at a cruising speed of around
exchange information with other surface assets rest of the Irish Naval Service's (INS’s) fleet. 12kts. It can be equipped with stabilised naval
and shore headquarters. The Lake-class IPVs are intended to replace guns and light missile launchers in terms of
the INS's Peacock-class coastal patrol ships LÉ armament, as well as a suite of EO/IR sights
New Zealand Orla and LÉ Ciara following their planned and detection systems.
The Royal New Zealand Navy’s (RNZN’s) withdrawal from service as part of efforts to The Philippine Navy will arm four of the
Naval Patrol Force currently comprises two modernise and rebalance the fleet. The Lake- new craft with the Rafael Advanced Defense
Lake-class inshore patrol vessels (IPVs) – class IPVs require less than half the crew Systems Spike Extended Range (ER) surface-
HMNZS Hawea and HMNZS Taupo – and complement to operate (20 compared to 44), to-surface missile systems, while the other four
two Otago-class offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) and can therefore be more readily deployed to vessels will be armed with stabilised automatic
– HMNZS Otago and HMNZS Wellington conduct patrols in the Irish Sea and southeast coast. cannons and heavy machine guns.
– which conduct presence and deterrence
activities and constabulary tasks, respectively. Philippines Taiwan
The Naval Patrol Force is responsible for The Philippine Navy recently received a The Taiwan Coast Guard Administration’s
ensuring good order at sea in New Zealand’s boost to its coastal patrol capabilities with (CGA’s) first 600-tonne catamaran-hull fast
immediate areas of interest. While the IPVs are the delivery of the first two missile-capable patrol vessel, Anping (CG601), was launched
mainly deployed for patrols within 24nm of fast attack interdiction craft built by Israel at shipbuilder Jong Shyn Shipbuilding’s facility
the coastline, they also possess enough range Shipyards. in the southern port city of Kaohsiung on 27
(up to 3,000nm) to deploy on operations The new vessels were christened at April 2021. The vessel is the lead ship of a class
around neighbouring Pacific Island countries. the service’s headquarters in Manila on 6 of 12 high-speed catamaran patrol vessels for
In contrast, the OPVs conduct patrols out to September 2022, spokesperson Commander the CGA.
the limits of the country’s maritime domain, Benjo Negranza told the state-run Philippine The ships feature a wave-piercing
including the Southern Ocean and Antarctica.
The IPVs have seen only limited service
Israel Shipyards

due to chronic manpower shortage and it

is understood that the RNZN has only able
to fully crew two of the original four vessels
since 2012. Two IPVs were decommissioned
on 17 October 2019 and being disposed with
the longer-term intention of phasing out the
remaining two vessels in favour of another
OPV as part of its transition towards focusing
on missions in the wider Pacific Ocean region
under the Defence Capability Plan (DCP)
2019. The document stated that OPVs had
proven better suited to New Zealand's needs
than the IPVs due to the former’s longer range,
greater endurance and ability to support The Philippine Navy recently received the delivery of the first two of its Sheldag MkV missile-
helicopter operations. capable fast attack/interdiction craft built by Israel Shipyards.

12 Asian Military Review november / december 2022

 SEA power

Jong Shyn
catamaran hull form measuring 65.4m x
14.8m wide, waterjet propulsion, a low radar
cross-section (RCS) design, and can reach a
maximum speed of 44.5kts. The class has a
hull draught of 2.1m and a standard range
of 2,000nm at 12 kts. Each vessel can also
embark an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)
and a medium-sized helicopter.
“The Anping-class is designed for speed and
stability given its catamaran-hull, especially in
the potentially choppy waters near the island’s
coastlines,” a company representative told AMR.
The Anping-class is essentially a coastguard
version of the Republic of China Navy’s Taiwan’s Anping-class programme is on track with Jong Shyn having delivered five vessels to
(RoCN’s) Tuojiang-class stealth missile the CGA since the launch of the lead vessel in April 2021.
corvette built by rival shipbuilder Lung
Teh, which is armed with the high-subsonic

Precision RF Switches
Hsiung Feng II (Brave Wind II, HF-II) and
supersonic Hsiung Feng III (Brave Wind III,
HF-III) anti-ship missiles (ASMs) and known
as Taiwan’s ‘carrier killer’ ship. The RoCN also
plans to operate 12 of these vessels.
The coastguard variant will typically be
High Power, Low PIM, Low Temperature MIL-Standard
armed with a high-pressure water cannon in
place of the Tuojiang’s 76mm Oto Melara Switches for Commercial & Defense Applications
main gun, the Zhenhai multiple rocket
launcher system with 70mm guided rockets,
and two T-75S 20mm remote weapon stations SPDT SWITCHES
during peacetime operations. (Non-Terminated and
Modifications to the coastguard variant Terminated)
also includes further hull and structural SMA, 2.92 mm, Type N,
strengthening for anticipated physical impacts Type SC connectors B40 SERIES B5 SERIES B7 SERIES
at sea, as well as improved berthing spaces and DC – 40.0 GHz DC – 14.0 GHz DC – 26.5 GHz

navigation systems intended to mitigate crew

fatigue during extended patrols.
However, in wartime the vessel can be
pressed into military service and be equipped DPDT
(Transfer Switches)
with a mix of up to eight HF-II and eight HF-
III ASMs, complementing the RoCN’s nascent SMA, 2.92mm, Type N
connectors
fleet of Tuojiang missile corvettes. The RoCN L1 SERIES L2 SERIES L40 SERIES
will be responsible for the installation of the DC – 26.5 GHz DC – 14.0 GHz DC – 40.0 GHz
ASM systems, as well as providing trained crew
to operate the weapons following conversion
to a surface combatant.

AD
MULTI-POSITION
CGA vessels often encounter belligerent (Non-Terminated and
Chinese fishing activity, with two of its patrol Terminated)
cutters swarmed and attacked by more than SMA, 2.92 mm, Type N,
10 Chinese speedboats in the Taiwan Strait in Type SC connectors S12 SERIES U6 SERIES J8 SERIES
March 2021, resulting in one of the cutters DC – 15.0 GHz DC – 14.0 GHz DC – 20.0 GHz

being rammed repeatedly and suffering major

damage to its outboard motors. CEI offers a large selection of coaxial switches with a wide frequency range from DC
The Anping-class programme has thus far
to 40.0 GHz. Numerous configurations are available, including more than 60 series
proceeded smoothly, with Jong Shyn having
types and variations. All models offer options for high power, low temperature, and
delivered five vessels to the CGA since the
low passive intermodulation (PIM).
launch of the lead vessel. Second-in-class
Chengkung was commissioned in June 2021 All models and quick quotation available at www.ceiswitches.com
– four months ahead of schedule – while the
third, fourth, and fifth vessels, Tamsui, Cijin,
and Bali were delivered in October 2021, April
2022, and October 2022 respectively. Finally,
the sixth vessel, Ji’an, was also launched in the © 2022 dB Control Corp
same month.

november / december 2022 Asian Military Review 13

Land power

HAL
HAL has scored a major success in bagging an IAF order for 70 HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft. Deliveries are slated to begin in 2024.

INDIA’S INDIGENOUS INTENT

India’s biennial land and naval systems exhibition’s homegrown focus also highlights the challenges in
India’s military modernisation

by Mike Rajkumar

T
he 12th edition of DefExpo, the India’s recently appointed Chief of delivered four helicopters to the air force
biennial Indian land and naval Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan, and army, while the LCH on display was
systems exhibition which informed attendees at the show that the due to be delivered by the end of the
concluded in October, was a MoD has already entered into defence month. These helicopters are Limited
showcase of Indian intentions contracts worth $7.5 billion (Rupees 620 Series Production (LSP) examples with
to grow the nation’s defence industrial billion) and orders worth approximately the air force procuring 10 of these and
base but also provided an insight into the $8.5 billion (Rupees 700 billion) are the army five. The IAF inducted its first
challenges therein. The show itself was in various stages of the procurement LCH squadron (143 Helicopter Unit) into
witness to a peculiar obsession by India’s process with the Indian defence industry. service in October at Air Force Station
Ministry of Defence (MoD) to find a new Jodhpur.
venue every two years. Originally held Local Flavour The major theme of the show was
in New Dehi, DefExpo has been moved The only major announcement at indigenisation with India’s state-run
to Goa (2016), Chennai (2018), Lucknow the show was the contract awarded Defence Public Sector Undertakings
(2020) and the latest edition was held in to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (DPSU), showcasing a bewildering
Gandhinagar. (HAL) for 70 HTT-40 Basic Trainer range of products. Two things were clear
Over the years, DefExpo has also Aircraft worth $822 million (Rupees 68 at the show however, the large amount
gained a strongly local flavour with a billion). The Indian Air Force (IAF) is of Russian equipment in the Indian
greatly reduced presence from foreign to procure a total of 106 HTT-40s and is inventory is reflected in the products
OEMs, except those who already have a to place orders for an additional 36 on offered by Indian DPSUs and strenuous
large presence in India. The decision to operationalisation of the first 70 aircraft. efforts are being made to indigenise the
keep foreign firms away is at odds with The IAF will be one of very few air forces components that go into these Russian
the Government’s aspirations to grow in the world to operate two basic trainer equipment. According to a 2020 working
India’s defence exports and also increase types, as it already has a fleet of 75 Swiss paper by the Stimson Center, 70-85
the technology base of Indian firms. Pilatus PC-7 MKIIs. HAL also displayed percent of India's military platforms are
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the army and air force versions of its of Russian origin.
Government has set an export target of Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) for the Rosoboronexport director general
$4.23 billion (Rupees 350 billion) by 2025. first time at the show. It has already Alexander Mikheev announced prior to

14 Asian Military Review november / December 2022

 Land power

the start of the show, that India’s Korwa

Mike Rajkumar
Ordnance Factory would be ready to
start manufacturing Kalashnikov AK-203
assault rifles by the end of this year. The
joint venture Indo-Russian Rifles Private
Limited, in which Rosoboronexport and
Kalashnikov Concern are partners are
targeting 100 percent localisation of the
assault rifles in India.
The Indian State-owned firm
Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited
(AVNL), which was earlier part of
the Ordinance Factory Board (OFB)
showcased upgrades being offered
for the Indian Army’s legacy BMP-II
amphibious Infantry Combat Vehicle
(ICV).
AVNL was showcasing a BMP-2M
upgrade with a loitering munition The Indian Army’s inability to find a replacement for its obsolescent BMP-II ICVs has resulted in
system from Israeli firm Avision along upgrade efforts such as the BMP-2M.
with a 5th Generation SPIKE Anti-
Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) from
Rafael. AVNL is also undertaking an 2020 with the intention to upgrade officials present at the show stated
armament upgrade for the ICV with an 811 BMP-II/IIKs with 3rd Generation that the MGS is now ready to undergo
integrated Fire Control System (FCS) Thermal Imager (TI)-based gunner strength of design trials at the Proof
with auto target tracking along with and commander sights along with a and Experimental Establishment
a third-generation sighting system for modernised FCS and automatic target (PXE), which is in Balasore in India’s
the gunner and commander. A Multi- tracking capability. India’s MoD had Eastern state of Orissa. Mobility and
Function Display (MFD) has also been awarded a contract in June 2020 worth performance trials of the 8x8 chassis have
integrated. $120 million (Rupees 10 billion) for already been completed at the National
AVNL officials told Asian Military delivery of 156 new BMP II/IIKs by 2023. Centre for Automotive Testing (NCAT),
Review, that the BMP-2M will be able to The first BMP-II built under license in located at Ahmednagar in Maharashtra.
operate in urban terrain, while inflicting India, rolled out in 1987 from Ordnance Standalone firing trials of the armoured
minimal collateral damage. The addition Factory, Medak. cabin have been completed.
of new weapons mean that the ICV crew AVNL is involved in the production The ATAGS artillery system can fire
will be able to independently close the the T-72 ‘Ajeya’, T-90 ‘Bhishma and High Explosive Extended Range Full
sensor-shooter loop. The addition of homegrown Arjun Main Battle Tanks Bore projectiles with (Boat Tail) – ERFB
the 5th Generation SPIKE ATGM will (MBT), in addition to the BMP-II ‘Sarath’. (BT) to a range of over 21 miles (35km)
provide a dramatic upgrade to the AVNL indigenised the starter generator, and ERFB Base Bleed (BB) projectiles out
combat capability of the BMP which is decontamination set, link loading to over 21 miles (45km). Rates of fire are
presently equipped with 2nd Generation machine assembly, electric Motor for quoted at a minimum of three rounds
Milan-2T and Konkurs ATGMs. The T-90 MBTs and the Gyro Drift Indicator in 30 seconds (burst mode), a minimum
SPIKE ATGM can engage targets out to GPK-59 for BMP II, in collaboration with of 12 rounds in three minutes (intense
a range of 3.4 miles (5.5 kilometres) in domestic partners in 2021. AVNL has an mode) and a sustained rate of fire of 42
ground launch mode. The BMP version outstanding order book of $4.4 billion rounds in one hour. Time-in and time-out
of Avision’s loitering munition system (Rupees 360 billion). of action is quoted at 80 and 85 seconds,
weighs 26 pounds (12 kilogrammes) and respectively. Each vehicle can carry 24
has a 10lb (4.5kg) warhead. It can stay in New Indian Mounted Gun System projectiles with appropriate quantity of
the air for one hour. A new Indian 155mm/52 cal Mounted Bi-Modular Charge System (BMCS).
The upgrades also showcase the Gun System (MGS) was also on display Other MGS systems in contention for
failure of India’s procurement system at DefExpo 2022. The MGS has been the Army requirement include the Caesar
to select a modern ICV for the army designed by the Vehicle Research & artillery system, offered by L&T and
with a high-level of indigenous content Development Establishment (VRDE) Nexter in 2014 and mounted on an Indian
and sourced from India’s private sector in Ahmednagar and the sole prototype Ashok Leyland Defence 6×6 chassis. The
defence industry. India’s large BMP of the artillery system was displayed erstwhile OFB had also showcased an
fleet is yet to find a replacement, forcing at the show. The new MGS features the MGS in 2018, based on its 155mx45 cal
the army to enter into various upgrade indigenously developed 155mm/52cal Dhanush (upgraded Bofors 155mx39
programmes for the ICV. It is estimated Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System cal FH-77B) mounted on a BEML 8×8
that more than 2,000 BMP-IIs, across (ATAGS) mounted on a Czechoslovakian Tatra chassis. The Indian Army has a
all variants are operational with the Tatra chassis (build under license in longstanding requirement for an MGS
Indian Army. An Expression of Interest India by BEML) and features a custom- since 2002 and released another Request
was issued by the army in September designed armoured cabin. VRDE for Information (RFI) for procurement of

november / December 2022 Asian Military Review 15

Land power

Mike Rajkumar
the sole authorised OEM technical
representative for the entire MRSAM
system. ASI will accept payments in
Rupees.
Tata Advanced Systems Limited
(TASL) announced at DefExpo that it
had completed the delivery of the 200th
crown and tail-cone manufactured for
Boeing’s CH-47 Chinook helicopter. TASL
setup the assembly line in Hyderabad in
2017 and has also delivered crown and
tail cone parts for one of the 15 CH-47
Chinooks delivered by Boeing to the
IAF. The parts are supplied by TASL to
Boeing’s facility in Philadelphia, where
it is fitted on the Chinooks.
The growing ability of India’s private sector industry was on display with a composite armour Garuda Aerospace an Indian
ICV concept showcased at DefExpo 2022, with L&T partnering with DRDO for the programme. drone manufacturer entered into an
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
a 155mm/52 cal MGS in April 2021. at the show with Lockheed Martin
The composite hull is comprised Canada CDL Systems, to integrate the
Composite Armour ICV Concept of monocoque top and bottom parts latter’s advanced Unmanned Aerial
Another new land system on display at manufactured in E-glass-epoxy using Systems (UAS) software solutions for
DefExpo was an indigenous Indian ICV a Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer defence and commercial purposes on
concept fitted with a composite armour Moulding (VARTM) process. The the former’s drones. Garuda Aerospace
hull. Known as the ICV with Composite side walls of the hull feature ceramic- recently commenced its $30 million
Hull (CICV), the vehicle is based on composite integral armour which offer Series A funding round, with current
the Defence Research & Development protection against 14.5mm Armour contract valuations announced as at $250
Organisation (DRDO) Abhay ICV. Penetrating (AP) rounds. DRDO officials million.
Development is being undertaken at the show said mobility and functional BAE Systems announced at the
by the DRDO’s R&DE(E) Research & trials which would last 620 miles (1000 show that it was willing to offer its
Development Establishment (Engineers) km) are currently in progress and need 52-Calibre 155mm barrel for the M777
located in Pune, in the Western Indian to be completed with no major failures Ultra-Lightweight Howitzer (ULH) for
state of Maharashtra. R&DE(E) has for the programme to proceed. The new manufacture in India. This would make
undertaken the design, development, composite armoured hull matches the India the first customer for the 155mm
and fabrication of the CICV, while L&T structural and ballistic performance 52-calibre M777 which will weigh under
has undertaken the integration of the of the previous metallic hull but at 35 5.8 tonnes. BAE Systems also entered
composite hull and side armour. “The percent lower weight. The reduction in into a partnership with Indian firm for
integration of the composite hull took weight allows to either improve mobility manufacture of titanium castings for the
3-4 months,” an official present at the or use a lower-rated powerplant for 155mm howitzer in India. The first sub-
stand said. improved fuel-efficiency and this will systems will be produced by the end of
depend on the user requirements, the this year and BAE Systems says it plans
official said. The Abhay ICV with the to progressively manufacture all three of
Mike Rajkumar

metallic hull weighed 20 tonne and the major structures (saddle, cradle, and
featured a 40mm main gun with 7.62mm lower carriage) that form the basis of the
PKT co-axial machine gun. The CICV M777. India has 145 M777s on order.
at the show featured a representative An emerging opportunity is the
hull with a 40mm gun but the final Army’s urgent requirement for man-
hull design could change based on user portable anti-tank guided missiles and
requirements. very short-range air defence missile
systems. All of these will need to be
Home Advantage manufactured in India.
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) DefExpo 2022 highlighted the
announced the creation of an Indian opportunities and challenges for India’s
subsidiary for the maintenance of the defence industry. While the Indian
Medium Range Surface to Air Missile Government is committed to domestic
(MRSAM) system, which it has jointly production which is a boost for the
The new Indian 155mm/52 cal Mounted developed with India’s DRDO. The nation’s yet nascent defence ecosystem,
Gun System (MGS) unveiled at DefExpo MRSAM is in service with the Indian reducing the percentage of Russian
2022 features the DRDO developed ATAGS Army, Air Force and Navy. The new origin weapon systems with the Indian
howitzer produced by Indian defence firm subsidiary, Aerospace Services India armed forces to less than 50 percent will
Kalyani Group. (ASI) is located in New Delhi and is take a decade at the very least.

16 Asian Military Review november / December 2022

 power

Protect. AttAck. SuPPort.

IntellIgence & AnAlySIS on
electronIc WArfAre At your fIngertIPS!
reAd more todAy!

www.armadainternational.com/electronic-warfare
Electronic warfare

NEW LEVELS OF UNDERSTANDING

A recent publication gives the most detailed and comprehensive assessment of the Chinese Army’s
electronic warfare posture yet available in the open-source domain.

by Thomas Withington

R
ussia’s second invasion of

The Lightning Press

Ukraine on 24 February
provided researchers with
a valuable opportunity to
comprehend how her army
uses Electronic Warfare (EW) to support
its manoeuvre units. Published Russian
Army doctrine and EW equipment
orders-of-battle can be matched with
the reality on the ground. Social media
and accounts from those in theatre shed
light on Russian Army EW against its
Ukrainian foe.
In contrast, the EW posture of the
People’s Liberation Army Ground
Forces (PLAGF) are shrouded in mystery.
Fortunately, the United States and
her allies are not embroiled in open
hostilities with the People’s Republic
of China (PRC). Conflict has a way of
showing your rival’s hand, even if your
own forces are not involved in the war.

Chinese Operational EW
A few clues on how the PLAGF would
employ electronic warfare to support its
manoeuvre force emerged from the 2021
(1) An offensive group advances in preparation for an assault against an enemy mechanised
Military and Security Developments task force that has taken up a defensive position. The offensive group is to annihilate the
Involving the People’s Republic of China enemy task force in order to weaken the enemy's overall defensive strength and provide an
report. Drafted by the US Department approach route for follow-on forces. (2) The reconnaissance group deploys in an advance
of Defence (DOD) this document is guard position, with orders to reconnoiter enemy defensive positions and identify potential
weak points and strong points. (3) Two frontline attack groups comprise the bulk of the main
submitted annually to the US Congress. assault. They will fix the enemy and enable actions by the depth attack and thrust manoeuvre
We current await the 2022 edition. The groups. (4) The depth attack group is positioned to exploit any weakness in the enemy
report warns that the PLA writ large defences. This group attempts to conceal its axis of advance in order to surprise the enemy.
continues to invest in capabilities and (5) The thrust manoeuvre group consisting of an armour battalion, a mechanised engineer
battalion, and a rocket battery. waits in the rear area to exploit the successful attack of the
improve competencies in the sea, land,
depth attack group. (6) The firepower group, consisting of a heavy howitzer battery and a
air, space, cyber and EW domains. These heavy rocket battery, wait to deliver decisive indirect fire anywhere on the battlefield. (7) IW
efforts are not occurring in service and EW groups stand by to conduct EW and deception operations, aimed primarily at fooling
stovepipes. Instead, they focus on enemy sensors, deceiving the enemy commander, and suppressing enemy communications.
ensuring the PLA can fight from a joint
perspective.
Norm Wade’s new book on the Chinese Military includes excellent illustrations explaining how
Electronic warfare forms part of the PLAGF would tactically employ electronic warfare. This graphic shows EW used during the
the PLA’s counter-space posture. This assault preparation phase where it would be initially employed for deception and for jamming
wrests on jamming space-to-earth hostile communications.
satellite signals to impede satellite
communications and navigation. The warfare capabilities are folded into the with technical reconnaissance, fall under
PRC may also be looking at spacecraft PLA’s Strategic Support Force (SSF). The the command of the SSF’s Network
which can attack satellite-to-satellite report calls the SSF a “theatre, command- Systems Department.
communications links. The report level organisation” which centralises the Why this PLA interest in EW at the
emphasises that strategic and operational PLA’s capabilities in these areas. EW, operational and strategic levels? The
electronic, cyber and psychological cyber and psychological warfare, along report stresses that China’s armed forces

18 Asian Military Review november / December 2022

 Electronic warfare

on the Chinese Military is an important

The Lightning Press

addition. The book helps us understand
the PLAGF’s electronic warfare doctrine
and posture. Penned by The Lightning
Press’s owner Norm Wade, it is arguably
the most comprehensive guide on this
subject available in the public domain.

Tactical Level EW
To understand how the PLAGF employs
electronic warfare, we must understand
how the army organises its manoeuvre
elements. The key tactical formation
in the PLAGF is the Combined Arms
Brigade (CAB). The CAB bridges the
tactical and operational levels. CABs are
directly subordinate to Group Armies
which are in turn subordinated to
Chinese geographical theatre commands.
A Combined Arms Brigade possesses
organic manoeuvre forces, artillery,
air defence, reconnaissance, logistics,
engineer, support and communications
elements. CABs are deployed in
motorised light, mechanised medium
and heavy configurations. Light
motorised CABs transport infantry
(1) The enemy commander, deceived into thinking that the main effort is targeting his left
flank, commits his reserve in a counterattack against the northern frontline attack group. The in vehicles which do not support
latter rapidly transitions to a defensive posture and begins a deliberate retrograde operation, the infantry fight while mechanised
intended to overextend the enemy’s counterattack force and eventually isolate it from its medium CABs transport infantry in
command. (2) The friendly commander, having identified the enemy's centre as vulnerable, vehicles with organic firepower. The
commits the depth attack group in a decisive assault. Its objective is to breach the enemy's
main defensive line and isolate the two enemy flanks. (3) The other frontline attack group army possesses circa 73 CABs across all
conducts an assault against the enemy’s right flank, fixing the enemy unit and preventing it these configurations.
from reinforcing the group under assault in the centre. (4) The thrust group positions itself Each Group Army has a Service
to exploit the breach created by the depth attack group. (5) The firepower group conducts Support Brigade. The brigade has several
a fire assault against the enemy centre in support of the up's assault. (6) The EW group
responsibilities including EW, logistics,
commences its decisive effort, suppressing enemy communications in order to electronically
isolate enemy units and confuse response to the main assault. The IW group transitions to communications and Uninhabited Aerial
information attack operations, attempting to increase enemy units' perception of isolation. Vehicle (UAV) provision. Electronic
warfare provision is subsumed into
the Service Support Brigade as an EW
During an attack’s initiation phase PLAGF electronic warfare units will continue jamming hostile regiment. Wade says these regiments
communications and performing deception to hamper the red force response. Information have several responsibilities. Missions
warfare units will go on the offensive to amplify the sense of isolation for red force units facing
the attack. includes traditional electronic warfare
along with cyber warfare. The EW
regiment performs conventional
see EW as “an integral component on the island as part of a larger air and electronic attack against hostile
of modern warfare (which) seeks to maritime blockade. communications systems and networks.
achieve information dominance in The DoD’s report is a comprehensive The regiment will also perform electronic
a conflict” when coordinated with and reliable assessment of how the PLA support. This most probably includes
cyberwarfare. The report expects the sees EW, incorporates electronic warfare the collection of operationally and
PLA to use EW early in a war “as a into its strategic and operational doctrines, tactically relevant electronic (radar) and
signalling mechanism to warn and deter and would use it in wartime. However, communications intelligence. A further
adversary offensive action”. A range the report is less comprehensive on how regimental responsibility is protecting
of hostile electromagnetic and cyber the PLAGF would use EW to support its the manoeuvre force’s use of the
targets inside and outside theatre could manoeuvre force. This has been an area electromagnetic spectrum against hostile
be targeted by the SSF. These include shrouded in mystery and conjecture electronic warfare. This most probably
satellite navigation systems, radio until now. The Lightning Press, based focuses on detecting weak points in
communications and sensors like early in Florida, publishes comprehensive brigade spectrum use, remedying these
warning radars. During an invasion of military reference books, providing and advising on emissions control. The
the Republic of China (ROC), known “intellectual fuel for the military” latter is vital to ensure that hostile forces
as Taiwan, the report envisages these according to its slogan. It’s recent cannot use the brigade’s radio and
measures would be taken against targets Opposing Forces (OPFOR) publication radar emissions to find, fix and engage

november / December 2022 Asian Military Review 19

Electronic warfare

CAB units. Keeping this tactic in mind,

The Lightning Press

Wade surmises that the EW regiment
most probably works closely with
brigade artillery and air defence. The
regiment will detect hostile platforms
and deployments based on their radio
and radar emissions. Target details will
be passed to the CAB’s artillery to target
the sources of these emissions at range,
or to the CAB’s organic air defence.
It seems probable that Service
Support Brigade’s EW regiment will
make electronic warfare assets available
to the CABs as and when needed. These
are most likely then allotted to the
Combined Arms Brigade’s Operational
Support Battalions. EW is one of several
capabilities deployed in these battalions.
This is alongside a CBRN (Chemical,
Biological, Radiological and Nuclear)
protection company, military police and
logistics. EW units are deployed at the
company level within an Operational
Support Battalion.

Doctrine
These capabilities feed into PLA (1) One of the frontline attack groups positions in a support-by-fire position, engaging an
information warfare and information enemy unit and fixing it in position. (2) At the same time, the other frontline attack group
operations doctrines. As Wade notes, conducts a limited attack against the enemy's left flank, testing the strength of the enemy
information systems like hostile defences. These two actions, conducted in concert with one another, are intended to
confuse the enemy commander about the location and axis of the main assault forcing him
communications networks are to commit reserves early. (3) Reconnaissance units engage enemy scouts, preventing them
“considered to be the senses and brain from effectively reconnoitering friendly units and ensuring the enemy commander remains
of a modern force … Destroying or ignorant of the location and direction of the main assault. (4) The depth and thrust groups
neutralising them is an effective way move under concealment to their initial attack positions. As the frontline attack groups
conduct their attacks, the offensive group commander develops his understanding of the
of neutralising or defeating a stronger situation and finalises the axis of the main assault. Combat power is concentrated along this
enemy”. Attriting the enemy in this axis. (5) The firepower group conducts a fire assault against the enemy's rear area, disrupting
regard is intended to ensure the PLA enemy command and communication and causing casualties. (6) EW and IW units conduct
maintains information superiority at electronic and information warfare against the enemy command, with their main effort
the tactical and operational levels. In focused on deceiving the enemy about the location and axis of the main assault.
other words, degrade the enemy’s
communications systems while Electronic and information warfare efforts continue as the manoeuvre force’s attack develops.
preventing them degrading your own: Their efforts will also focus on the red force command to deceive it regarding the attack’s
“Without information superiority, the location and axis.
Chinese believe that they cannot achieve
dominance in any other domain, be it
land, sea, air or space”. waging information warfare to achieve on the network. Equally, it may be more
To this end, the PLAGF embraces information superiority is economic. effective to use fires to physically destroy
what it calls ‘system warfare theory’. Non-kinetic means like EW directed communications nodes and centres at
This emphasises attacking sensors, against the enemy’s decision-making enemy deployed headquarters. Perhaps
communications networks and all the apparatus is less costly in materiel terms even all three vectors will be employed?
decision-making apparatus of the red than conventional kinetic attacks. The PLAGF employs several
force at all echelons. Systems warfare Nonetheless, electronic, cyber electronic and cyberattack tactics.
theory is also defensive. It emphasises and kinetic capabilities will all be Standard electronic attacks against
the need to protect friendly decision- brought to bear in the information hostile communications networks and
making apparatus against similar fight. Sometimes, PLAGF units may radios may including conventional noise
attacks by the enemy. Information perform straightforward jamming of jamming. Electronic reconnaissance will
superiority does not exist in a vacuum a hostile radio network. Sometimes, exploit these networks to eavesdrop
and nor is it an end in itself. Seizing and it may be more effective to inject on tactically or operationally useful
holding the initiative in the information malicious code into the network via traffic moving around them. Electronic
domain is as essential as doing the electronic attack. The intention will be deception inserts false, misleading or
same on the physical battlefield. As Mr. for the code to infect red force battle confusing traffic into these networks,
Wade emphasises, a major attraction of management systems sharing their data ideally without enemy knowledge.

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the tactical level, the army will hit red

The Lightning Press

force command and control centres,
communications nodes and sensors.
Wade says such kinetic attacks will be
performed using manoeuvre, artillery
and airpower. Directed energy weapons
could also be brought into this battle in
the future.
Reconnaissance is imperative to the
PLA’s information warfare posture. The
army has tightly embraced the concept
of electromagnetic reconnaissance. This
prioritises the use of strategic, operational
and tactical sensors from satellites to
airborne signals intelligence platforms
and systems at the tactical edge. These
will collect electronic, communications
and cyber intelligence. Red force sensors
will be targeted in this effort along with
their telecommunications networks
and the traffic they carry. This includes
everything from situation reports to
social media content. Mr. Wade notes that
the army is keenly pushing electronic
reconnaissance capabilities all the way
An offensive group conducts a pursuit attack against a retreating enemy. CA-BNs maintain down to its lowest tactical echelons.
continuous contact with retreating enemy formations, not allowing then to conduct rearguard
or delaying actions, and not allowing them to establish a new entrenched defensive position.
(2) Attack helicopters are well-suited to support pursuit attacks; they continually harass PLA EW Doctrine and ES2
and disrupt enemy units on the move. (3) Reconnaissance elements screen the flanks of the The People’s Liberation Army Ground
offensive group, ensuring that the enemy cannot mount a surprise attack on the extended Force has fully adopted the doctrine
friendly line. (4) Other reconnaissance elements maintain contact with the retreating enemy of Electromagnetic Superiority and
forces. (5) SOF teams in deep areas sabotage roads and bridges, disrupt enemy reinforcement
Supremacy (E2S). Electromagnetic
efforts, and conduct deep reconnaissance. (6) The firepower group employs howitzers to attack
retreating enemy units and rocket artillery to deploy hasty minefields across probably routes superiority seeks to establish a
of retreat. (7) The EW group ensures that enemy forces cannot contact possible reinforcements, tactical, operational or strategic
maintaining their isolation. The IW group concentrates on maximising the propaganda value condition where the enemy can only
of the victory, transmitting media of destroyed and retreating enemy units. sporadically interfere with blue force
use of the electromagnetic spectrum.
The pursuit phase sees EW and information warfare units isolating red forces from other Electromagnetic superiority is the
neighbouring formations to prevent them calling in reinforcements. Information warfare gateway to electromagnetic supremacy.
concentrates on amplifying the effect of the attack on the red force to demoralise the adversary This seeks to prevent altogether any
both within and beyond the theatre of operations.
red force attempts to disrupt blue force
spectrum use. ES2 is secured through
the application of electromagnetic
Wade argues that “the (army) views enemy’s use of its computer systems. In manoeuvre warfare. This branch of
electromagnetic attack as the centrepiece peacetime, hacking efforts will take the manoeuvre warfare seeks to attack
of most information warfare operations”. form of cyber reconnaissance. This effort and exploit weak points or centres of
Hostile computer systems and will seek to understand the architecture gravity pertinent to the enemy’s use
networks can be attacked using pre- of hostile networks, how they can be of the spectrum so as to contribute to
programmed viruses loaded into these exploited and their vulnerabilities. The overall success. Mr. Wade stresses that
systems and networks either via the army adopts this posture for the entire the PLAGF fully expects hostile forces
internet or via electronic attack. Likewise, panoply of cyber warfare from the to also use electromagnetic manoeuvre
hostile computers and networks can be strategic level downwards. Of the latter, to achieve ES2. It “anticipates enemy
hacked. Either way, the goal is the same, Wade says the army values tactical capabilities will contest its networks
chiefly to steal or manipulate data without cyberattack “to manipulate enemy and communications capabilities”.
the enemy’s knowledge. Importantly, situational understanding and trick For understandable reasons, the army
cyberattacks against hostile land forces the enemy into behaviour conducive to prioritises protecting spectrum use to
may commence before the first shot is (PLAGF) tactical operations”. ensure electromagnetic manoeuvre can
fired. This will be done to derive enemy Although the PLA sees information be practiced and ES2 secured: “Chinese
strengths, weaknesses and intentions. warfare and information operations leaders and units are instructed to train
Attacks maybe largely covert, with as less costly than kinetic attacks, the in communications blackout conditions,
information being stolen, or more overt army does not rule out the latter as relying on ingenuity and tactical
with viruses and hacking disrupting the part of the wider information battle. At competency to overcome the effects of

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communications isolation, and wherever

The Lightning Press

possible, use communications means
that are not susceptible to enemy EW
efforts”.
One area where we still have
much to learn concerns the actual EW
systems the PLAGF deploys with the
manoeuvre force. Some important
work has been performed by Samuel
Cranny-Evans, C4ISR research analyst
at London’s Royal United Services
Institute thinktank. Readers interested
to learn more are advised to consult his
report entitled Electronic Warfare and
the People’s Liberation Army. Much
of what we know in the public domain
revolves around doctrine and posture.
This is undoubtedly useful. For instance,
written analysis stresses that the PLAGF
sees EW as integral to manoeuvre at the
tactical level. To this end, it prises using
electronic and information warfare in
support of kinetic capabilities in a tightly
coordinated fashion. This is something
which has seemed to be distinctly
(1) The thrust manoeuvre group conducts the decisive deep assault into the enemy's rear lacking in the Russian Army’s use of
area, targeting command posts, supply areas, artillery units, and potential escape routes.
This completes the isolation of enemy units and compromises the enemy's overall defensive electronic warfare in the Ukrainian
position. (2) The thrust manoeuvre group also conducts a hasty attack against the exposed theatre. The PLAGF seems keen to avoid
flank of the enemy's counterattack force, ensuring it cannot be redeployed and maintaining
its isolation. (3) The frontline attack and depth groups conduct storming attacks against the such a tactical and operational debacle.
isolated and depleted enemy units. Local fire support is integrated with maneuver to either Then again, so did the Russian Army’s
destroy or force the withdrawal of enemy units. Assaults are coordinated as much as possible
to ensure the enemy cannot reinforce units under attack. (4) Firepower assaults target electronic warfare doctrine and posture
retreating enemy units, disrupting their movement and ensuring that retrograde actions
cannot be mounted. (6) EW and IR groups shift their focus to disrupting adjacent enemy units until the cauldron of conflict decided
from reinforcing the now-defeated enemy unit and preventing the enemy’s higher echelon otherwise. Nonetheless, all elements
from communicating with the defeated unit.
of the PLAGF will be watching the war
in Ukraine with interest determined
The annihilation phase will see EW and information warfare units attacking the communications
of neighbouring units to sow deception with conflicting situation reports and to prevent them to avoid these errors. We can expect
coming to the aid of the attacked formation. A key aspect of this action disconnecting the future assessments of the PLAGF’s EW
formation under attack from their higher echelons of command.
capabilities at the strategic, operational
and tactical levels to reflect this.
The Lightning Press

(1) Reconnaissance units carefully assess

the surrounded enemy's position in order
to discover potential weak points and
establish the enemy's disposition. Once the
attack commences, these units transition to
screening the assaulting force. (2) Engineer
units rapidly clear obstacles and minefields
that lay along key avenues of approach.
These efforts are carefully integrated with
reconnaissance in order to develop the best
possible course of action for the assault. (3)
Frontline attack groups assault isolated and
vulnerable forward enemy units. These
attacks gradually increase in intensity as the
enemy command is destroyed and isolation
increases, (4) The depth attack group
conducts a penetration into the enemy's
centre, destroying the enemy’s command and
completing the isolation of remaining enemy
units. (5) The firepower group conducts
mass fire assaults on the enemy's main
body in order to disrupt enemy operations
and reduce enemy morale. (6) EW and IW
groups conduct electronic and information
attacks on the enemy formation in order to
Electronic and information warfare also have important roles to play during envelopments of amplify the effects of isolation and prevent
hostile forces to isolate them from other friendly units and amplify their sense of isolation. communications with possible relief forces.

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Abu Dhabi, UAE 2023

Electronic warfare

24 Asian Military Review november / December 2022