Defence Minister inaugurates army communication network – Mercury Thunder
Following is the full text of the speech delivered by Defence Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee while inaugurating the “Mercury Thunder” – Phase III of Army Static Switched Communication Network (ASCON) here today.
“It gives me immense pleasure to inaugurate Mercury Thunder -The ASCON Phase 3, of the Indian Army. I am sure that this network will meet the requirements of a modern Indian Army and will facilitate the Indian Army’s march towards achieving Net-centricity.
The art of warfare in twenty-first century has undergone a paradigm shift and transformed from being Platform Centric to Network Centric. The Info-Structure i.e. Information Infrastructure is the entry ticket to Net-centric warfare. I am happy to note that Indian Army and the Information Warriors, as the Signalers of Corps of Signals are fondly called, have set well-defined vision and objectives to build a Net-enabled Army in a stipulated time frame. Today through Mercury Thunder we achieve a significant milestone in our march towards being a Network Centric Army.
Mercury Thunder has the unique distinction of being fully secure, nationwide, Army owned, ATM/ISDN backbone network of unparalleled magnitude in the world. For the first time, this network also incorporates a Satellite Overlay network which compliments and assures network availability. I am proud to note that the innovative and novel concept of Mobile Nodes to extend the reach of the network and for resuscitation of damaged Nodes will further enhance the availability of this network.
I am proud that Mercury Thunder is omni-present in the National Areas of Interest, it is resilient and robust with recovery in few milliseconds from all disasters, natural and manmade, intentional and unintentional. Its design therefore assures Network availability and survivability which is of paramount importance in today’s world of intense Electronic Warfare.
Mercury Thunder, the strategic backbone network of the Indian Army will not only create space for digitized battlefield but also support, facilitate and interconnect other Network-centric systems like Tactical C3I, C4I2, Tactical Communication Systems and others. Their entities can now be location independent and simply Plug and Play into the Information Infrastructure of Mercury Thunder.
The modern warfare is not limited in time, space, and boundaries. The modern warfare is also asymmetrical. To meet these challenges, it is fundamental that the Information Infrastructure lends itself to unify national security interests strategically and tactically during war, peace, disasters or otherwise. It must help facilitate the objectives of the leaders and commanders. It is encouraging to learn that Mercury Thunder not only synergizes but also extends our over all objectives through its pan India presence.
I am happy to acknowledge and appreciate unprecedented synergy amongst the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Communication & IT and its PSU i.e. M/s ITI Ltd and Army. The unflinching efforts of M/s ITI Ltd, its engineers and technicians who have braved all odds to successfully realize this dream is specially appreciated. It re-endorses the strength of M/s ITI Ltd to implement such complex network.
I complement the Chief of Army Staff for his forethought of the operational needs of the Army and Signal Officer-in-Chief for his foresight and ASCON Working Group for their design, planning and implementation of this prestigious and strategically important network.
I wish the Army and ASCON the very best of luck and success in all its future endeavors.”
SKS/RAJ
(Release ID :20679)