On November 13, the annual Joint Electromagnetic Board Meeting (JEBM) took place, under the lead of Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS). It is a strategic forum that falls under the purview of the Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC). The meeting was led by the Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra, Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Operations). The high-profile event also saw the attendance of senior officials from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, along with representations from the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), and the Department of Defence Production (DDP). The 2024 JEBM was focused on the possibilities of spectrum management and hoped to advance joint operations against electronic warfare and evolving military technologies.
Agenda and Key Areas of Focus
The annual meeting had a comprehensive agenda, tackling issues like Electronic Warfare, Signature Management, Emerging Military Technologies, Electromagnetic Interference (EMI), Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC), Spectrum Management, and Human Resource Development in military technology.
The extensive agenda discussed in the Joint Electromagnetic Board Meeting serves to underscore India’s drive to optimize inter-service cooperation, which is clearly showcased by the recently held Tri-services Commanders’ Conference. The 2024 JEBM also aims to strengthen operational readiness across the electromagnetic spectrum, which falls under the umbrella of Adaptive Defense strategies that Raksha Mantri talked about in his inaugural speech at the DDD 24.
Annual meeting of Joint Electro Magnetic Board (JEMB), a #COSC sub-committee, chaired by Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra, Deputy Chief of IDS (Operations) was attended by senior officers of three Services, DRDO, DDP and Industry. #Integration in the fields of #ElectronicWarfare,… pic.twitter.com/0eDFAEutQR
— HQ IDS (@HQ_IDS_India) November 14, 2024
Launch of AI-Enabled e-Tarang System
There were several key developments during the annual meet, including the launch of the AI-enabled e-Tarang system, underlying India’s dedication to harnessing AI technology. This is also a transformative step toward optimized defense spectrum management. The system was developed in partnership with the Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG-N), and integrates advanced artificial intelligence algorithms to streamline spectrum planning and management. The newly developed system will also automate frequency allocation and interference mitigation, hence supporting the military’s operational capabilities in both peace and wartime scenarios.
Also, it was noted during the launch of the new AI-powered e-Tarang system, that it will be scalable, so as to support the military’s growing technological requirements, no matter how complex. The e-Tarang system is also able to respond to any rapidly evolving threats, in an agile manner, especially in the electromagnetic domain.
Release of Technical News Letter (TNL) 2024
The 2024 Joint Electromagnetic Board Meeting also saw the release of the latest “Technical News Letter (TNL)”, by the Joint Communications and Electronic Staff (JCES) and HQ IDS. The TNL has contributions from all the branches of the military and has the potential to revolutionize future warfare strategies and tactics. It can also serve as a guide for integrating emerging military technologies, in line with the nation’s vision for technology-driven defense modernization.
Synergy in Joint Electronic Warfare (JEW) Operations
The 2024 JEBM concluded by taking yet another step towards inter-service synergy, in the domains of electronic warfare and spectrum management. It laid the groundwork for joint electronic warfare operations. In the keynote address, Air Marshal Mishra also highlighted how a coordinated and cohesive use of electronic warfare assets across the different branches of the armed forces can help the nation to be better prepared against evolving electronic warfare threats. He pointed to the successful joint EW exercise, held this year in September, as an example of efficient collaboration that embodied the principle of “Victory through Jointness.”
Thus, the Joint Electromagnetic Board Meeting ended, reinforcing India’s commitment to Electronic warfare and demonstrating the impact of synchronized EW tactics. This is an initiative that highlights the country’s need for the integration of cutting-edge technologies, capable of EW, fitting quite well with the aim of Adaptive Defence.
