The document discusses the significance of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in military operations, highlighting its role in improving decision-making through spatial data management. It covers various military applications of GIS, such as battlefield management, terrain analysis, and logistics, emphasizing the advantages like cost reduction and enhanced mission effectiveness. Additionally, it outlines the importance of satellite technology and weather information in optimizing military strategies.

1. Geographic Information System
A Computer System, comprising Software and Hardware which
enables capture, storage, visualization and management of
spatially referenced data.
Fig.1-India – Pakistan Border ,
Source :Google Earth3 Fig.2-Landsat image of Bedsiboka
river, North Central Madagascar3

2. The concept of Command, Control, Communication and Coordination in military
operations is largely dependent on the availability of accurate spatial information to
arrive at quick decisions for operational orders.
It is an excellent tool for military commanders in the operations. The use of GIS
applications in military forces has revolutionised the way in which these forces
operate and function.
Military forces use GIS in a variety of applications including-
• Cartography- Better modelling and storage of interconnected data
• Intelligence Report- Weather, coordinates conversion, distance and directions
• Battle field management- I/O of observer and target points by LOS and symbols
• Terrain Analysis- Augmented reality military animated terrain
• Military Installation Management- Dumpsters and inventories
• Monitoring of possible Terrorist Activity- Software intelligence algorithms
GIS: Military Applications

3. GIS: Advantages
Reduces base operation and maintenance costs
Improvises mission effectiveness
Provides rapid modelling capabilities for analysing alternative
strategies
Improved communication speed
Stores institutional knowledge

4. Name of Satellite Launch Date Resolution Remarks
Cartosat 1 5 May 2005 2.5 m
Cartosat2 10 Jan 2007 < 1 m
Land Information
System (LIS)
Cartosat2A 28 Apr 2008 80 cm
Dedicated satellite
for the Indian
Armed Forces
Cartosat2B 12 Jul 2010 < 80 cm
Cartosat2C 22 Jun 2016 < 80 cm
Used for weather
mapping too
Cartosat2D 15 Feb 2017 < 80 cm
Cartosat2E 23 Jun 2017 < 80 cm
Cartosat 2F 12 Jan 2018 < 80 cm
Cartosat3 Proposed system
Expected to be
around 30 cm
For land mapping,
disaster
monitoring
 GSAT-7A, launched on 19 Dec, 2018, ISROs
39th communication satellite, located at 63 degrees
east longitude, weighing 2250 kilograms with a
lifespan of 8 years for IAF.
 EMISAT, launched on 1 April, 2019 ELINT
(Electronic Intelligence) for IAF which acts as an
Indian Reconnaissance Satellite.
 GSAT 7R, bought by INA for Rs 1,589cr expected
to be launched in 2020 and replace the GSAT 7.
Indian Remote Sensing Satellite : Application in Defence

5. A GIS analysis of sites in the western Fijian Islands1
How is visibility important for defence?
CECILIA SMITH ETHAN E. COCHRANE
First published: 02 January, 2013
Much of the recent GIS‐based research has emphasized on views to and from defensive sites and site
location relative to resources such as agricultural land.
 Addition to this growing body of research with analysis of defensive sites in the western islands of Fiji.
 Quantitative GIS analysis of visibility in the Pacific and examines views to and from sites.
 The content of those views are statistically compared with the random background samples.
 The results indicate that views of high fertility land were an important consideration in the placement of
some defensive sites.
 Additionally, some sites are deliberately placed in areas to obscure their visibility.

6. Functions of GIS
 Satellite imagery
 Understand and interpret terrain- Used in determining how troops can be deployed
in the quickest and most effective way.
 To determine strategic positions – Like ideal locations for scouting parties, best line
of sight for fire and also the ability to hide troops and equipments.

7. NAVAL OPERATIONS
• Sea Naval vessels depend largely on indirect methods to navigate when
there is no means of establishing their position with visual aids.
• Global Positioning System (GPS) provides the means of determining the
position at sea. Echo sounder provided measurement of the depth of the
water below the vessel.
• Naval vessels will be operating at sea using several electronic gadgets for
operations. Recent technological advances have provided the means to
assess the unknown to greater accuracy.
• In the Oceans, complex natural features such currents, wave conditions,
sea surface temperatures and tides may prove at times deterrent to naval
operations. Using these natural features to the advantage a clear
understanding of the complex ocean dynamics is an essential element for
successful Naval operations.

8. Terrain Evaluation
• In land based military operations Military field commanders would like to
know terrain conditions, elevations for maneuvering armour carriers, tanks
and for use of various weapons.
• In addition, they need vegetation cover, road networks, and communication
lines with pin pointing accuracy for optimizing the resource utilization.
• A detailed land map with information on the land use, terrain model and
proximity of habitat are essential for military operations. All these details
must be available to the field commanders on a datum to match with the
equipment he uses for position fixing and communication in his area of
operation.
• Target assessment can only be done if the inputs are properly matching
with the system used for firing the weapon. Also Magnetic variation,
gravitational information are required for sensitive military operations.

9. LOGISTIC OPERATION
• GIS plays an important role military logistics because it helps in
moving supplies, equipment, and troops where they are needed at
the right time and place. By using GIS in determining routes for
convoys, forces are able to determine alternative routes if mishaps or
traffic jams occur on the most direct route. By using both GPS and GIS
certain sensitive articles such as; nuclear warheads can be tracked
every step of their shipment and also kept away from hot spots,
populated areas or other shipments.

10. Positional Information
• One of the most important functions of GIS along with satellite
imagery is to understand and interpret terrain, which is a major role
in determining how troops can be deployed in the quickest and most
effective way. Understanding the landscape is especially useful
because a military leader can determine strategic positions, such as
ideal locations for scouting parties, best line of sight/fire and also the
ability to hide troops and equipment.

11. Weather Information
• Weather plays dominant role in the battlefield. Real time weather
information is essential for field commanders either on land or in sea
or in air for successful completion of the task. At times, weather may
play crucial role in success or failure of an operation. Every battlefield
commander would like to know the information regarding cloud
coverage, wind conditions, visibility, temperature parameters and
other related inputs.

12. [1] Cecilia Smith, Ethan E.Cochrane. A GIS analysis of sites in
western Fijian islands.
[2]Google Scholar
[3]NPTEL Online course on Remote Sensing
References and Citations

13. Thank you