The “paratroop messenger” is more than just an online cinema, it is a means of troop control, that's why it is accessible to the Russian military alone, is 100-percent hack-proof and functions separately from civilian networks.
“The new video communications program, which is part of the Andromeda-D automatic control system, is currently being introduced in the Russian Paratroop Forces” a Defense Ministry representative told the newspaper.
“During a recent drill we used this program to establish stable video links between the headquarters of several regiments and divisions ensuring better interoperability and coordination between the headquarters and commanders on the ground.”
He added that the new software is available on officers’ computer notebooks and tablets from battalion commanders and up. In practice, however, even company and platoon commanders were able to latch on whenever necessary. The program can also be used for videoconferencing purposes.
The United States is currently a world leader in the field of military video communications. The 2001 invasion of Afghanistan was the first military operation ever to be entirely planned using video conferences.
The Pentagon thus managed to synchronize the work of several headquarters handling the operation located as far apart as Florida, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Masira Island in Oman.
During Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 the Americans had entire companies equipped with satellite and radio relay communications gear tasked with ensuring real-time video linkups. Each of the US Armed Forces’ five service branches now has a video messenger of its own.
Not to be outdone, the Russian MoD is now all set to have similar video messengers in place in the Russian Armed Forces, and the Paratroops have been the first to get one.
