Indian Signals and Modern Warfare

After repeated threats to their homeland in the 1950s, the Israeli Defence Forces decided to erect a makeshift unit dedicated to collecting, processing, and acting upon signals intelligence (SIGINT) data. Starting with leftover American equipment, the unit was stationed at a listening post on a hill in northeast Jerusalem in the beginning, but was soon spread out to all major peaks in Israel once the IDF higher command realised its efficacy. 

Illustration by The Geostrata

Initially known as the 2nd Intelligence Service Unit and later the 515th Intelligence Service Unit, this small group of military technicians and engineers was eventually rechristened the ‘Central Collection Unit’, or Unit 8200. 

Today, Unit 8200 is the world’s foremost specialist technical intelligence establishment, and employs Israel’s brightest engineering minds for its extensive field of operations. It is considered second to none when it comes to the application of cryptography, cybersecurity, cyberwarfare, signals and technical military reconnaissance to national security interests. 

It actively designs and develops advanced systems with a singular purpose: to prevent and counter threats to the state of Israel. Barring the intelligence failure that enabled the attacks of October 7, Unit 8200 has largely been successful in carrying out its mission statement. 

INDIA'S CURRENT SIGINIT AND TECHINT LANDSCAPE

In India, this role is assumed by a variety of agencies across different operational domains and organisations. Cryptography and inter-services SIGINT is processed and managed by the civilian-manned Joint Cipher Bureau and various other feeder agencies, including certain wings of R&AW, and the National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO).

The NTRO, in addition to its technical intelligence (TECHINT) and surveillance roles, carries out extensive SIGINT activities to implement counter-terrorist action in necessary areas, having played an important role in the Line of Control surgical strike in 2016 and the Balakot airstrike in 2019. 

The most recent development along the lines of Unit 8200 is the formation of the Signals Technology Evaluation and Adaptation Group (STEAG) by the Indian Army.

In a novel approach to technological warfare, this unit intends to carry out research, development, and implementation of systems that will leverage machine learning, AI, 6G networks, and other future-ready communication methods.

This is the first effort of its kind to integrate these popular technologies into regular military use. The STEAG will function under the purview of the Corps of Signals of the Indian Army, which in itself has carried out various developments in communications technology in collaboration with DRDO. According to an official, the STEAG will “identify suitable cases for defence applications by fostering collaboration with academia and industry.” This implies that civilian bodies will have a significant role to play in this endeavour. 

STEAG VS UNIT 8200

This seems to be a marked departure from the traditional flow process of innovation. The cutting edge usually stays within the military, and products using advanced technology are brought into the public mainstream only after years of military use. This is the case with Unit 8200 and the Israeli civilian tech ecosystem; several former members of the unit have gone on to establish successful startups in cybersecurity and communications, and much of the tech developed within the unit has found its way into public use over time.

Although the Indian effort seems to invert this funnel by relying on existing advanced technologies to further its operational capabilities, it is better characterised as an attempt to break into the previously lacking realm of military research and development. Following an assisted entry into the field, it can then build upon established infrastructure to carry out path-breaking signals research.

Despite the fact that STEAG will not function as a part of the Indian intelligence apparatus, it still promises to replicate the success of Unit 8200. Rather than focusing on SIGINT directly, STEAG will provide those who collect intelligence with better tools and methods.

LEARNINGS FROM ISRAEL

It will also result in a specialisation drive across personnel in the armed forces, and will lay the ground for engineering talent to thrive. The best use cases and problems for applications of communications and signals systems can be found in the military, and a chance to work directly on these problems sets up individuals for success outside the military as well, as has been observed with Unit 8200. 

Further steps in this direction could include the revamping of existing units within the Directorate of Military Intelligence and the establishment of new units for signals and technology processing within the intelligence apparatus. One crucial advantage that this has over tech adoption by standard armed forces is the access to the creamy layer of talent in the civilian world. While the military usually poses a barrier to entry for the academically-inclined, intelligence agencies can effectively embrace the potential that these individuals present. 

STEP TOWARDS AN INTELLIGENCE-LED TECH REVOLUTION

This is not a hypothetical phenomenon, and has been widely observed in technologically advanced countries such as the US, the UK and Israel. The stated purpose of the Israeli Magshimim program, which trains 16-18 year olds in cyber technology, is to act as a major feeder to the IDF’s technological units, and set up a base for a career in technology ahead. 

It inducts students with outstanding programming and hacking skills and acts as a launchpad into the world of technological warfare as a part of units such as 8200. 

A fast-tracked realisation of this vision is especially necessary in today’s context, where regional hostility seems to be increasing steadily in our neighbourhood.

The driving force for the Israelis was, as articulated by Major (reserves) Arieh Surkis - one of Unit 8200’s founding members, the feeling that “if it isn’t ready on time, all will be lost.” He explains further that Israel, at the time, was “placed in a difficult position from a topographical point of view”, and this was what led to the expansion of the unit across different stations in the country. 

If the Indian effort is to replicate the influence that Unit 8200 has had on national security and technology in general, it must be infused with a sense of urgency and must abandon all complacency. Overall, the formation of units along 8200 lines represents a unique opportunity to leapfrog our rivals in tech adoption, development and implementation. This approach could enable our armed forces to significantly improve their resource management in ongoing conflicts.

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BY ADHITYA BHARGAVA

TEAM GEOSTRATA

info@thegeostrata.com