Indian Army’s New Way of Manouvering near the Pakistan Border
Now the Indian Army is all set to adapt in a new form. The army has now started adopting modern warfare strategies. Indian Army is now going to set up Theater Command. Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs) will be included in this. These battle groups will get the support of the Air Force and Navy. Its final test is being done these days from the desert of Thar to the Rann of Kutch through the manoeuvre Dakshin Shakti. The army has given its full force in this exercise spread over a radius of about five hundred kilometres. Today, under the manoeuvre Dakshin Shakti, the army tested its capability in the marshy and sea areas of the Rann of Kutch.
Through Maneuver Dakshin Shakti, the army is trying new methods of the battlefield in the changing environment, so that the counter-attack in the shortest possible time can not only surprise the enemy. To capture its important land area. Keeping this in mind, all the things related to war, air, space, cyber, electronic and information technology are being tried. In addition to the indigenously developed Light Combat Helicopter, drones are being used in this exercise.
Need for this manoeuvre
This is the first time on the border with Pakistan. When the army is trying this new method. This manoeuvre is completely different from the earlier manoeuvres. Future wars, especially between nuclear-armed countries, will be fought in a limited space over a limited period and will use military technology that delivers precise and decisive strikes. The one who strikes first in this war will be at a great advantage. Corps and divisions may prove sluggish in retaliation in such a war. This led to the formation of small brigade-sized combined battle groups directly in the command. Modern systems of communication and networking have eliminated the need for division.
The Idea of Integrated Battle Groups
The Indian Army has carefully tested the idea of Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs) for the past three years. It is going to be implemented. All IBGs have been set up based on mission, threat and terrain. The divisions would be reorganized into two-three IBGs under the command of a Brigadier or Major General working inside the Corps Headquarters. The IBG will have the flexibility to make decisions about command, control and organization to act with resources as needed. IBGs can be mechanized forces according to their role. The unit/sub-unit of combat and logistics support may vary. The core will control long-range and large combat and logistics support formations/units.
Size according to the circumstance
The size of the IBG is bigger than any military brigade. A little less than a division. The number of officers, jawans involved will be decided based on regional and operational requirements. The IBG will be commanded by an officer of the rank of Major General and will be under the GOC of the corps concerned. IBG will have expert personnel from different fields. In this, soldiers from all the fields including infantrymen, tanks, cannons, engineers, logistics, support units will be together, which are necessary for any war. Till now all these are deployed as separate units and come together during the war. Be it defence or attack, this squad will be ready to deal with any situation like war immediately.
