PAF's C4I SYSTEM
This picture of an advanced C4I system first appeared on a PAF calender. The picture shows a multi tier fully operational command and control system with digitized Maps and Required Data probably such as ADA states, Weather etc.
Very little is known about PAF's C4I program. The systems are said to have been designed and developed indigenously by a Vision Defence System.
Air Commodore Shahid Hamid Shigri is the main person credited with taking PAFs C4I system into the 21st century.
Company details of Vision Defence Systems obtained from a defence forum are given below:-
The PAF C3I system is created by Vision Defence Systems (part of Shaheen Foundation). I am just copy-pasting some stuff from their website (no longer online) that will answer most of questions concering PAF's new C3I and future plans.
Company Profile
Pakistan was among the first few nations in the region to introduce automation in its national air defense systems. Late in the 1970s, American Hughes automation system along with Siemens Low Level Air Control System (SILLACS) was inducted into Pakistan Air Force. During 1990s, it was realized that these systems would not remain compatible to the emerging challenges of air defense and air space management. PAF started to look for replacement of these aging systems but the exorbitant costs of acquiring C3I systems and embargoes by the western world prohibited such an acquisition. Such a milieu sparked the initiative of indigenization in defense technologies especially those related to C4ISR. To meet the tri-service requirements in the field of C3I, Vision Defense Systems started developing Air Defence Command & Control systems in year 2001.
Company’s objective has been to develop an integrated Air Defence Environment that forms the framework for nationwide network centric C4ISR. This would integrate all the ground based and airborne sensors operated by Army, Navy, Air Force and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) into a single network.
To grow from field-specific national leaders to regional and eventually global leaders in the fields of System integration, C4ISR solutions.
•To become the ultimate window for contemporary technological advancements and compatible upgrades in the Air Defence Environment.
•To encompass the vital requirements for the current C4I systems and network centric warfare solutions prevailing in the region.
•To develop an organizational culture where World-Class-Quality is simply bare minimum.
Accomplishments & Tasks
Phase I
In the early 2001 Pakistan Air Force tasked Shaheen Foundation to create C3I system for the Air Defense network. Shaheen Foundation created a team of engineers, system analysts, software developers and technicians and by mid of year 2004 delivered a state-of-the-art C3I system to the PAF. This not only replaced the aging Hughes & Siemens systems but also enhanced the operational capability of PAF manifolds. The highly skilled team of professionals has been grouped under the banner of Vision Defence Systems as a subsidiary of Shaheen Foundation.
This multi-tier Command & Control System has Fixed & Mobile Mission Control Centers (MCC) those are linked with the Sensor network all along the borders. MCCs are linked upwards with 04 Sector Operational Centers (SOC) and the Air Defence Operational Command (ADOC). SOCs and ADOC has fully functional backup C&CCs. High level of security and redundancy is an integral part of system architecture.
Phase II
During the second phase of the project, Vision Defence Systems is currently integrating the newly inducted radars and AWACS platforms into the Air Defence Network of PAF. This is envisaged to conclude by year 2010. VDS is also into the integration of Low Level Army Air Defence System (LAADS), Civil Aviation Authority’s Medium to High Level radars and ARGOS-73 radars operated by Pakistan Navy into the national Air Defence Environment. This would provide redundancy & enhanced capability of air space management for all the operators.
Phase III
In the next phase of development, air and space based communication, surveillance & reconnaissance assets would be integrated into the Joint Services C4ISR network.
Products & Services
Vision Defence Systems, Shaheen Foundation is the sole company in the region that has successfully designed, developed and delivered an advanced C3I system of this scale that is fully operational with the PAF.
Optimally utilizing your existing resources like sensors & media, Vision Defence Systems can provide state-of-the-art Mil Standard C3I solution that would be fully capable to meet Malaysian Joint Services operational requirements. The system architecture would be secure & scalable. Integrating other vital elements, the system may be upgraded to C4ISR network.
Vision Defence Systems can provide turnkey solution based on your defined requirements. All systems would be backed by warranties and full after sale support. Computer Based Training (CBT) modules for technical & operational staff have been developed for hands on & web based training needs. Air Defense Simulation Systems (ADSS) exclusively developed by VDS can train the technical and operational team on day-to-day challenges faced while managing the C3I environment.
Vision Defense Systems, with a strong history of over six years of breakthroughs, today stands apart in the Fields of C4ISR, system integration, and all related solutions to make its systems most effectual, Cost Effective, upward/downward Compatible.
Command and Control Center
Computerizing the Manual SOCs
Automation of Manual SOCs
Replacement of old ADOC
Integration of Allied System
CAAR (Civil Aviation Authority Radar) with SOC
Mission Control Centers (MCC)
GUI development
Data Communication Gateway
Multi Radar Tracker
Voice Communication System
Sensors Upgrade
Receiver Section Upgrade
Transmitter Upgrade
Antenna Upgrade
Mission Control Centres
•Communication Gateway
•Control Systems
◦Central Information Server (CIS)
■Recorder
■Re-player
◦Voice Recording System (VRS)
■Recorder
■Re-player
•Man Machine Interface Systems (MMI)
•Multi Radar Tracker (MRT)
■Correlation and Fusion
■Single Radar Tracker (SRT)
•Monitoring and Administrative Applications
■Network
■Applications
■Data
■Radars
■Tracker
■Consoles
•MCC Consoles
•Server Cabinets
