AI Bibliography

The SA Army recently formulated its vision (SA Army Vision 2020) and is currently drafting plans to implement it. These plans should be finalised by the end of 2006, after which implementation down to the lowest level will take place. The SA Army must, however, remain abreast of current developments and trends that will impact on the future to ensure that it remains future-orientated and that its preparation meets the challenges of tomorrow.

The SA Army’s hosting of a seminar on 1 and 2 November 2006 is intended as a ‘reality check’ to ensure that all challenges for future warfare have been addressed in Vision 2020 and as such it will be attended by the army leaders who have to implement the Vision 2020 plans.Information warfare is identified as an ‘effecter’ on the battlefield, as the offensive capabilities can have a destructive impact on the information and communication technology (ICT) integrated into today’s military. The perception that we need to prepare for a low technology ‘African’ operational scenario can be dangerous, as money can buy ICT overnight and change the operational environment significantly.

Information warfare (IW) and particularly psychological operations (PsyOps) are major elements in the challenges for future warfare and this paper will consider the future of IW with specific reference to PsyOps.

The challenges for future warfare will be discussed first in order to shed light on the origins and strategic drivers of IW. Background information about IW in the SANDF is then provided, followed by the description of PsyOps as part of IW. We will also look at the future relevance of and prospects for the application of IW and PsyOps in Africa, as well as the support needed from the SA Army to execute such applications. Force preparation to counter IW and PsyOps attacks will be discussed as an important aspect of the support to the SANDF IW capability.