The integrated logistic support or often popularly called by its short-form “ILS” is a logistics approach through which military logistics are managed. The ILS is similar to contemporary customer services adopted in the commercial sectors across the world. The overall purpose or goal of the ILS to create sustainable logistics systems resulting in substantial cost reduction with less support but with increased investment output. However, there are important and essential basic elements in ILS which should be put to practice to achieve the goal and in order to implement the elements of ILS, and organization should initially take the assistance of experienced professionals such as integrated logistics support by Sonovision USA.

The basic necessary elements of ILS approach are the technical data, personnel, facilities, PHST or packaging, handling, storage and transportation, training, equipment design, computer resources, maintenance, supplies, and support equipment. The first element of ILS which is the technical data comprises all scientific and technical information as well as publications such as operators’ manual, maintainers’ guides, engineering drawings, and other such informative documents which may be helpful to operate, maintain and assist the logistics system.

Another important element central to ILS is the personnel required to maintain, operate and support the logistics system on a long-term basis. The personnel with required grades and skills can be identified and picked up both from the military as well as civilians. The acquired personnel must fulfil all requirement particularly focussing the long-term commitment both in peacetime as well as wartime requirements. The third element of facilities involves temporary and permanent infrastructures namely property assets that are procured after in-depth and intensive planning. The planning further incorporates components like real estate requirements, locations, utilities, equipment, space needs and environmental requirements.

Similarly, the element of PHST of ILS plays a key role in ILS. The PHST involves components such as identifying resources, processes, procedures, methods, designs etc. in order to make sure all required supportive systems and items are well preserved, properly handled, carefully packaged and safely transported. 

The element of training and capacity building in ILS is central to the logistics system which involves intensive capacity building training of all stakeholders namely the active and reserve duty personnel as well as the civilians on various techniques, processes, procedures, various training and equipment devices which are used for installing, operating and supporting logistics system. The training and capacity programs can be broadly individual and crew training, intensive planning processes of logistics support and training on new equipment.