Futuristic Infantry Soldier As a System (F-INSAS) is the Indian Army’s Soldier modernization program planned to from 2012 to 2020. In the first phase, to be completed by 2012, they plan to begin fielding of a multi-caliber (5.56mm, 7.62mm, and purportedly 6.8mm) modular weapon system along with a detachable grenade launcher with airbursting grenades. By programs end in 2020, the Indian Army plans to complete fielding to all of its 465 infantry and paramilitary battalions of the complete system which includes helmet with visor, uniform with integrated armor and NBC protection as ell as a palmtop computer. F-INFAS follows the pattern of western Soldier modernization efforts with heavy emphasis on C4I2 (Command, Control, Communications Computers, Information and Intelligence). The goal is to turn the Soldier into “a self-contained fighting machine”. In addition to fielding all of this capability they also want to reduce the Soldier’s load by 50%.

While initially subsystem development has been outsourced to a variety of international concerns, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is serving as the prime and system integrator. Within India, both Tata Advanced Systems and Rolta Thales Ltd have a hand in F-INSAS’s development.

Tags: India