Russian Volunteers Develop Telegram Alternative for Military Communications

A messenger for military purposes which has no servers or unified databases has been developed in Russia.

The chat system allows exchanging geodata, as well as transmitting structured information about the tactical situation. It has already been tested in the combat zone, has received positive feedback, Izvestia reported.

Volunteer Team Loktar has created software that combines tactical maps with an integrated combat messenger. It allows for geodata sharing, messaging, and situational awareness.

The Telegram messenger is used extensive by the Russian armed forces to as a field communication tool. However, after the arrest in France of Telegram founder, Durov, it is apprehended that the servers where Telegram data is stored will fall into the hands of Western intelligence.

A Loktar representative told Izvestia that the software has the ability to transfer data between devices via existing communication means such as radio stations or closed Wi-Fi groups on radio bridges. This allows users on different communication channels to exchange data in one chat.

The Loktar messenger has the means of controlling the type of information transmitted depending on the bandwidth of the communication means used. For example, it will not be possible to transmit a heavy file or video through a "thin" channel of a radio station.

According to the developer, the team does not know how many people are currently using it, since the system is completely decentralized, with the installation kit issued to the unit, and the command itself decides to what extent the software will be used.

It was included in the hardware and software systems "Shorokh" (smartphone-walkie-talkie) and "Gran" (smartphone-walkie-talkie with the function of analyzing the radio frequency environment), but can also be installed on third-party devices. The product is implemented in the unit independently and takes just two days to master

Its current users include combat units of the Ministry of Defense, the Russian National Guard, and a number of special services.