The future Infantryman will be trained to operate sophisticated weapons and equipment for high intensity conflicts, but will also be deployed on tasks where his skill as an effective negotiator will be as important as the weapons he carries.

One of the most exciting projects is the Future Infantry System Technology (FIST) which will enhance the Infantry's combat effectiveness in the 21st Century.   The aim is to integrate a modular system of all equipment, weapons and their sighting systems, radios that the individual soldier carries or uses, in order to increase his overall effectiveness on the future battlefield. The Infantry is to get a radically new communication system known as 'BOWMAN' in the very near future.   For the first time it will give the Infantryman on the ground secure communications. It will allow simultaneous transmission of voice and data and will have a built-in global positioning device that will allow automatic position locating, navigation and reporting down to the lowest level.   In addition every Infantryman will be given a personal role radio. The Infantry has a host of other projects covering weapons to personal equipment, all designed to improve the soldier's combat effectiveness.   The aim is to deploy a whole suite of digitized weapon platforms by 2008. The Infantry has a host of other projects covering weapons to personal equipment, all designed to improve the soldier's combat effectiveness. The aim is to deploy a whole suite of digitized weapon platforms by 2008.