World GIS Day FALLS today:

GIS for National Security

Dr. Ranjith Premalal De Silva

GIS day is celebrated all over the world today on the theme 'GIS for Government'. GIS Day provides an international forum for users of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) technology to demonstrate real-world applications that are making a difference in our society.

GIS day is also dedicated to an international promotion of education on the Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and geography. More than 80 countries participate today at the GIS Day 2007 in holding local events such as corporate open houses, hands-on workshops, community exposures, school assemblies, and more.

"GIS" is an acronym meaning Geographical Information Systems. A Geographical Information System is basically a computer based tool for mapping and analyzing geographic information. GIS can be thought of as a map on a computer but it is more than just a map.

It's possible to combine many maps or "layers" of information and then analyse and manipulate them to create a new map. These new maps are often used for making decisions about land use, resources, transportation, real estate, retailing, etc.

This ability to incorporate spatial data, manage it, analyse it, and answer spatial questions is the distinctive characteristic of a Geographical Information System. Map making and geographical analysis is not new, but GIS makes it possible to do this type of work faster and more efficiently because of the power and ease of using modern computers.

It allows virtually anyone to create a map to help explain historic events, plan for the future, and predict outcomes.

Originally, the purpose of maps was for navigation only because explorers and traders wanted to know how to travel from one place to another through uncharted waters or over unexplored lands.

Later, after the invention of paper and as the science of cartography advanced, people became interested in studying the relationships between natural and manmade features on the Earth's surface.

Recently, the demand for maps of the topography and specific themes of the earth's surface, such as natural resources, has accelerated greatly. Stereo aerial photography and remotely sensed imagery have allowed photogrammetrists to map large areas with great accuracy.

Scientists wanted to study man's use of the land which led to the study of spatial distributions of such things as soil, people, vegetation, climate, etc. First an inventory had to be taken via which data was collected and recorded.

Due to the large volume of data and lack of mathematical tools, qualitative methods of classification and mapping were used initially. With the development of appropriate mathematical tools and the availability of the digital computers, spatial analysis and quantitative thematic mapping have mushroomed.

GIS and mapping software is at the forefront of a new wave of technology that can be applied to nearly every issues or subject in our society. This year, it is expected to promote the use of GIS for government affairs and activities so that in the long run public would be benefited from this technology.

The concepts of Command, Control, Communication and Coordination in military operations are largely dependent on the availability of accurate information in order to arrive at quick decisions for operational orders.

Logistics and strategy have always posed a serious challenge to every defense operation that has occurred which further requires the knowledge of spatial information.

Hence, the knowledge of geography is the key that benefits defense services. The applications of GIS in the defense sector are very noteworthy and important for Sri Lanka to defeat terrorism outright.

In the chaos of the battlefield, it was and largely remains impossible to know where our own troops are, where the enemy is and what else or who else, may be in the way. We witnessed recently the problems faced by and the losses incurred by the air force due to the friendly fire.

Hence, the knowledge of geography and correct positioning are the key that benefits defense services largely. Information such as where the enemy is, where our own assets and troops are, and what lies between the enemy and our forces are very important for any defense strategy.

Commencing from the logistical arrangements in the defense sector, applications include the locating, gathering and compiling information of the movements of our own military hardware and enemies hardware capabilities, monitoring and advising troop movements, relocating affected or to-be affected communities, identifying navigation and strategic withdrawal routes, etc.

We have witnessed the difficulties faced in using military machinery by our forces during heavy monsoonal downpours and subsequent inundation due to poor drainage of the terrain.

Military field commanders are benefited knowing terrain conditions, elevations for maneuvering armour carriers, tanks and for use of various heavy weapons. For the safety of valuable military hardware such as multi-barrel rocket launchers and heavy artillery guns, the exact routes for movements near and around the enemy held territory should be understood.

In addition, field commanders need vegetation cover, distribution of road networks, and communication infrastructure with absolute accuracy for quick decision making which can save hundreds of lives of our troops while inflicting heavy casualties behind enemy lines.

A detailed land map routinely updated with high resolution satellite imagery with information on the land use, terrain models and proximity of habitats is essential for military operations.

The use of obsolete maps of the Survey Department produced few decades ago, even before the terrorist commenced their clandestine operations in the North and East could seriously expose our patriotic soldiers to the enemy targets.

All the spatial data products must be available to the field commanders on a datum to match with the equipment used for position fixing and communication in the area of operation.

Any discrepancy in these inputs may endanger the operation making the field forces and intelligence operators vulnerable to enemy retaliation. Target assessment can only be done if the inputs are properly matching with the system used for firing the weapon.

A large haul of military supporting equipment including GPS receivers and communication apparatus intended to be delivered to the uncleared areas were recently confiscated by the intelligence authorities.

Further, during the humanitarian operations carried out in the East in the recent past, our military recovered GPS and other sophisticated navigation tools used by the terrorists. This points out to the fact that even the terrorist outfits utilise the available GIS related technologies to gain a relative advantage in the battlefront.

In addition to the land operations, surveillance in our territorial waters is a crucial factor for our national security. At sea, naval vessels depend largely on indirect methods to navigate when there is no means of establishing their position with visual aids.

Global Positioning Systems (GPS) coupled with GIS provide the means of determining the position at sea.

Echo sounding could provide accurate measurements of the depth of the water below the vessel.

Recent technological advances have provided the means to assess the oceans' complex natural features such as currents, wave conditions, sea surface temperatures and tides to a greater accuracy. Using these natural features to the advantage and a clear understanding of the complex ocean dynamics are essential elements for successful naval operations.

Recent victories achieved in naval operations to destroy floating enemy artillery warehouses could be further strengthened through achieving continued naval surveillance with the support of GIS and related technologies.

We also witnessed recently that air operations in the enemy held territory could bring significant achievements eliminating the enemy leadership and making the entire terrorist outfit vulnerable for strikes.

This would undoubtedly affect the morale of the enemy cadres. We require the similar inputs as per land operations along with precise height information for targeting.

These include the detailed information about the target location, proximity of civilian areas, and terrain evaluation and meteorological conditions besides navigational data.

The virtual reality concepts are of greater help in fighter and bombing aircrafts for effective air strike operations. The military intelligence should benefit from the recent advances of geo-positional and geo-spatial technologies to secure a definite victory for us.

Weather plays a dominant role in the battlefield whether it is land, naval or air operation. 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 military officer would benefit from the information regarding weather changes, cloud coverage, wind conditions, visibility, temperature parameters and other related inputs which can be acquired from satellite imagery and processed through GIS.

Military leaders heavily depend on GIS and GPS (Global Positioning Systems) to make tactical decisions such guiding troops, supplies/equipment and ships, informing them of possible threats, problems with terrain in which they will encounter and also to direct there attention to specific areas of interest.

For example, data is relayed to the attack aircraft giving the pilot needed information, such the location of target and identification of the target, plus possible hot spots in which they may encounter an attack on themselves.

These pilots should also receive data on meteorological information, which enhances visibility, and pre- warns them of possible change, which may occur during an aerial activity.

Getting the things timely, safely and efficiently at the battlefront is one of the biggest challenges faced by the military. Hence the transportation can be tapped into GIS technology to keep information about highways, bridges, traffic patterns, installations and mini harbours at its fingertips.

Digital maps of primary and secondary roads could play critical role in the event a mainroad is blocked by a terrorist activity or an accident and forces must be ale to find alternate routes. GIS can greatly enhance the intelligence base for strategic planning to avoid hostile attacks to the public.

Security gap analysis is another possible application of GIS in the defense sector. Managing human resource in the defense sector based on the ground realities could be easily manipulated in GIS. Possible emergency scenarios can be simulated in GIS and impact areas can be identified along with the required zonal arrangements for buffers.

Physical infrastructure and property losses due to insurgent and terrorist activities can be estimated and rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts could be better managed with GIS. Surveillance and VIP security can be better coordinated and managed with the use of spatial data.

In addition, crime management is a key area where GIS could assist in identifying crime hotspots, timing and the nature of crimes, management of security fleets, tracking movements of known criminals, locating new police posts and police stations.

Finally, it is emphasised that acquiring innovations in GIS technology would be a blessing for our efforts to protect the territorial integrity and enhance the national security.

Early warning and real-time reconnaissance through GIS will always be highlighted as imperative tools to our security planners in offsetting the threat to national survival posed by the terrorists.

The 2008 budget presented to the parliament last week by the President includes an allocation of Rs.166 billion for national security, which is an increase of nearly 20 per cent of the allocation of the previous year.

The public have noted the increased allocation as justifiable and necessary in view of the current security situation in the country.

At present, defence is the most sensitive, critical and important issue for Sri Lanka. However, it should be noted that it is utmost important to acquire the required technological know-how in order to make this investment productive.

An attempt was made here to highlight the possible applications of GIS technology in the defense sector in the Government so that World GIS day would not just be a celebration on a global theme but ensures that the global technological advancements would contribute towards safeguarding the sovereignty of our nation.

The writer is Head, Department of Agricultural Engineering, University of Peradeniya and Founder President, Geo-Informatics Society of Sri Lanka