GIS-based Selection of Appropriate Site for Development of Military Forces in Mehran Border Areas

Identification of the lands characterized by facilities and restrictions for military purposes has ever been a concern for those military commanders and staff authorities involved in operational planning. Easy and quick access to military forces and weapons in the respective region and their distribution in determining active and inactive defense of military forces is taken as an important decision-making and planning stage in an area such that it can affect the immunity, threats, and combat power of the respective forces. In line with this necessity, this study was an attempt to conduct a GIS-based site selection for military purposes in Mehran border areas. To this end, parameters like the regional topography, slope and its direction, soil type, access to residential areas and roads were investigated. Based on empirical data, satellite images, topographic and geological maps and overlapping scale model in GIS environment, the results revealed that the eastern and central mountainous areas in Mehran enjoy appropriate conditions for military force deployment; however, the southern areas, Jabal Hamrin hills and certain heights in the northern part lack such characteristics. Meanwhile many areas in Mehran plain, in spite of access to the heights, roads, and residential areas, enjoy sound conditions for military deployment. Moreover, the findings help commanders in decision making and operational planning and provide them with suitable tactical and technical strategies in selecting active and inactive defense areas.