“Now the reason the enlightened prince and the wise general conquer the enemy whenever they move and their achievements surpass those of ordinary men is foreknowledge”
– Sun Tzu (Chinese Strategist)
Military Strategy and Principles of War
Military strategy is a set of ideas implemented by military organizations to pursue the desired strategic goals. Derived from the Greek word ‘strategos’, the term ‘strategy’, when it appeared in use during the 18th century, was seen in its narrow sense as the “art of the general”, or “‘the art of arrangement” of troops.
The father of Western modern strategic studies, Carl von Clausewitz (1780–1831), defined military strategy as “the employment of battles to gain the end of war. BH Lidell Hart’s definition put less emphasis on battles, defining strategy as “the art of distributing and applying military means to fulfil the ends of policy”.
The Eastern military strategy differs from the Western by focusing more on asymmetric warfare and deception. Chanakya’s ‘Arthshastra’ has been an important strategic and political compendium in Indian and Asian history as well.
Strategy, which is a subdiscipline of warfare and of foreign policy, is a principal tool to secure the national interests. Field Marshal Montgomery of Britain summed it up thus: “Strategy is the art of distributing and applying military means, such as armed forces and supplies, to fulfil the ends of policy. Tactics means the dispositions for, and control of, military forces and techniques in actual fighting. Briefly, strategy is the art of the conduct of war, tactics the art of fighting.”
There are nine ‘Principles of War’, viz. Selection and Maintenance of Aim; Maintenance of Morale; Offensive action; Surprise & Security; Concentration of Force; Economy of Effort; Flexibility; Co-operation and Administration.
All preparation and planning for war is based on these cardinal principles by any armed forces of a nation.
There are also fundamentally four levels of warfare, i.e. Political, Strategic, Operational and Tactical levels of war. The Indian Army has evolved over the years and presently a new Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy) has been posted, who has the responsibility of having the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO), DG Military Intelligence, DG Operation Logistics and DG Information Warfare report to his office.
Briefly, the planning and preparation for war indubitably entails the following broad aspects for consideration in an axiomatic sequence;
- Clear political and military aim and objectives.
- War strategy and joint operation plans.
- Joint intelligence plan C5I2.
- Weapons & material resources for war-fighting potential.
- Human resources for combat & non-combat potential.
- Logistics plan for war-fighting & sustenance.
- Administrative plan for combat & non-combat troops.
- Mobilization plan of troops for war.
- Implementation of integrated & joint war plan matrix.
- Synergy of tri-services in war plans & logistics.
- Establishment of joint operations room.
- Contingency plans for war.
Integration of Joint Intelligence Sharing Mechanisms For War
“An army may be likened to water, for just as flowing water avoids the heights and hastens to the lowlands, so an army avoids strength and strikes weakness.” – Sun Tzu (Chinese Strategist)
If war breaks out, intelligence has distinctive strategic, operational, and tactical roles, however, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is assuming critical war-fighting edge in the battlefield.
Strategic intelligence helps guide national leaders and senior tri-service officers in the intricate political-military decision-making processes. Operational intelligence is very useful for designing and orchestrating campaigns and tactical intelligence supports the conduct of battles and other multi-spectral operations.
The single most important battle winning factor is ‘good Intelligence’ about the enemy, which transcends other essential factors for gaining ultimate success in the entire spectrum of conflict of the prevalent environment.
The process of intelligence has four phases: collection, analysis, processing and dissemination. It incorporates digital intelligence and AI for the network centric battlefield milieu. AI could help enhance multi-layer capabilities of military forces in handling a spectrum of undefined war situations or hostile environments. It enables rapid decision-making capabilities in a dynamic information dense environment.
The new Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Information Systems and Coordination) has responsibility of the DG Signals, DG Information Systems and DG Staff Duty reporting to his office.
Strategic Intelligence
Strategic intelligence is concerned with broad issues such as economics, political assessments, military capabilities and intentions of foreign nations (and, increasingly, non-state actors). Such intelligence may be scientific, technical, tactical, diplomatic or sociological, but these changes are analysed in combination with the known facts about the topography in question, such as the geographical details, demographics and industrial capacities.
Strategic Intelligence is formally defined as “intelligence required for the formation of policy and military plans at national and international levels”, and corresponds to the Strategic Level of Warfare, i.e., the level of warfare at which a nation, often as a member of a group of nations, determines national or multinational (alliance or coalition) strategic security objectives and guidance, thereafter develops and optimises national resources to achieve those objectives. The amalgamation of essential ingredients of C512 and their exploitation for transparency of battlefield cannot be over emphasised.
Operational Intelligence
Operational intelligence is focused on support or denial of intelligence at operational tiers. The operational tier is below the strategic level of leadership and refers to the design of practical manifestation. It is defined as “Intelligence that is required for planning and conducting campaigns and major operations to accomplish strategic objectives within theatres or operational areas.”
The term ‘operation intelligence’ is used within law enforcement to refer to intelligence that supports long-term investigations into multiple, similar targets. Operational intelligence, in the discipline of law enforcement intelligence, is concerned primarily with identifying, targeting, detecting and intervening in activity above the tactical levels in warfare and the integrated theatrised resources are commensurately allocated for the same. It is also real-time based to disseminate the information from sensor to shooter in premium time.
Tactical Intelligence
Tactical intelligence is primarily focused on support to operations at the tactical level and would be linked to the battlegroup. At the tactical level, briefings are delivered to patrols on current threats and time priorities. These patrols are then debriefed to elicit information for analysis and communication through the reporting chain.
Tactical Intelligence is defined as “intelligence required for the planning and conduct of tactical operations”, and corresponds with the level of warfare at which battles and engagements are planned and executed to achieve military objectives assigned to tactical units or the task forces.
Intelligence should respond to the needs of leadership, based on the military objective and operational plans.
The military objective provides a focus for the estimate process, from which a number of information requirements are derived. Information requirements may be related to terrain and impact on vehicle or personnel movement, disposition of hostile forces, sentiments of the local population and capabilities of the hostile order of battle.
In response to the information requirements, analysts examine existing information, identifying gaps in the available knowledge. Where gaps in knowledge exist, the staff may be able to task collection assets to target the requirement.
Analysis reports draw on all available sources of information, whether drawn from existing material or collected in response to the requirement. The analysis reports are used to inform the remaining planning staff, influencing planning and seeking to predict adversary intent. This process is described as Collection Co-ordination and Intelligence Requirement Management (CCIRM).
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial intelligence will certainly have a dynamic role in future military application, where it will enhance productivity, reduce user workload, and operate more quickly than humans.
Ongoing research will continue to improve its capability, explain ability, and resilience. The military cannot ignore this technology. Placing vulnerable AI systems in contested domains and making them responsible for critical decisions opens the opportunity for disastrous results, but humans must remain responsible for key decisions.
Given the high probability that our exposed AI systems will be attacked and the current lack of resilience in AI technology, the best areas to invest in military AI are those that operate in ‘uncontested domains’.
Artificial-intelligence tools that are closely supervised by human experts or that have secure inputs and outputs can provide value to the military while alleviating concerns about vulnerabilities. Examples of such systems are medical-imaging diagnostic tools, maintenance-failure prediction applications, and fraud-detection programs. All of these can provide value to the military while limiting the risk from adversarial attacks, biased data, context misunderstanding, and more. These are not the super tools sponsored by the AI salesmen of the world but are the ones most likely to have success in the near term.
Human Resource Requirement for War: Combatants & Non-Combatants and Training Standards
The holistic Training Standards of all ranks in the Field Formations (operationalized) / Peace Areas must be of ‘High Threshold’, i.e. Combatants and Non-Combatants (as per respective military trades/skills) to be achieved through designated Training Courses/Modules/cadres/capsules, in consonance with the Standing Orders for War/Standing Orders for Peace.
The training proficiency to be achieved is laid down for Armoured, Artillery, Infantry, Mechanized Infantry, Air Defence Artillery, Engineers, Corps of Signals, Corps of EME, AOC, ASC, RVC, APC, ADC, etc, will be enhancing skills and thoroughly practiced by all regiments and services units of the Indian Army, as part of peacetime operational activity, cateringto the envisaged War.
Technical Capability & Education Standards of all ranks in the Field Formations (operationalized)/Peace Areas for the Combatants and Non-Combatants (as per respective military trades/skills) is commensurate to the basic standards laid down for the type of Regiment/Battalion/Independent Company/ Independent Platoon. Technical tests are regularly carried out by the different units, as per their operational equipment and battle role/ tasks. They are required to qualify in these specialized tests, as prescribed in the Technical User Manuals of the respective equipment.
Physical Fitness Standards i.e. the Battle Physical Efficiency Test (BPET) and the Physical Proficiency Test (PPT) – Best results (Excellent) to be achieved by all ranks to withstand the hard battlefield conditions, as prescribed by the Indian Army, conforming to laid down detailed Army Orders/Instructions on the subject.
These physical standards are also different for the Special Forces, Para Regiment and SFF, operating under the Ministry/Army, which are practiced in the well -established training areas and Corps Battle Schools/Divisional Battle Schools/Brigade Training Areas constructed for the purposes.
Health State (Medical condition) should be ‘Excellent’ of all ranks, i.e. SHAPE1, with minimum disabilities/downgraded categories in all Field Formations (operationalized)/Peace Areas for the Combatants and Non-Combatants, prior to war.
The personnel posted in High Altitude Areas (HAA) and the Uncongenial Areas (UA) has requisite health checks, conforming to their geographical terrain/altitudes. Annual Medical Exam (AME) is mandatory for all personnel in Army. Special Rations (high protein) for good health of personnel serving in Glaciers/Siachen is also authorized to ensure healthy diet to keep troops in good fighting spirits.
Manpower State & Reserves is built up in all Field Formations (operationalized)/Peace Areas for the Combatants and Non-Combatants to maximum (Bayonet Strength), by recalling personnel from secondary duties on ERE (Extra Regimental Employment) and Guard Duties in Peacetime Areas which are taken over by CAPFs/PMFs (under Home Ministry).
This rationalization of personnel is done to provide maximum battle strength to fighting units. Unit Reserves (UR) at 5 per cent are also posted to units in this state of war. This improves the ‘Teeth to Tail’ Ratio for the fighting units.
Battle experience of those personnel is important who had fought in previous wars/conflicts, as maturity of the battle plans are further nurtured with lessons learnt from previous battles. These classes in training areas are undertaken with maps/ sand models/black board exercises/on TVs connected to CD Players to refresh memory of all personnel preparing for tactical operations in war.
Recruitment and Mustering of Soldiers for war is carried out in all Regimental Centres/Area Headquarters to make up manpower deficiencies in all Field Formations (operationalized)/Peace Areas for the Combatants and Non-Combatants, thereby undertaking optimization of enunciated objectives.
This is undertaken as per laid down Scales by the Army Headquarters, Adjutant General’s Branch, prior to declaration of General Mobilization for War by the Government of India, Union War book, during grave crisis against the country.
War Equipment Inventories and Weaponisation
Large Inventories of various types of Military Weapons & Equipment/ Specialized ‘Warlike Stores’ is preserved in an excellent state of operational Serviceability. Personal weapons of all ranks must be ‘zeroed’ at the firing ranges for accuracy before operations. Armaments and all types of Ammunition is normally built up for war, with releases done by the WE Directorate to reduce deficiencies.
The detailed orders and instructions are issued only by the Weapons & Equipment (WE) Directorate in Army Headquarters. The maintenance of these equipment and stores required for the same are done by Corps of Signals, Electrical & Mechanical Engineers (EME), Army Ordnance Corps (AOC), Army Supply Corps (ASC), and respective Directorates of Armoured Corps, Mechanized Infantry, Infantry, Engineers, and Services Directorates.
When war is imminent then the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) and various designated procurement agencies carries out procurement of weapons/ equipment on ‘War Footing’ from suppliers. To streamline the procurement process, a position is created which will look after both revenue and capital expenses, closing a gap felt when weapons and subsequent ammunition and spares were purchased.
The new position of Deputy Chief Capability Development and Sustenance, DCOAS (CD&S) is expected to cut down procurement timelines and reduce bureaucratic layers that delay key procurements. He takes care of all capital and revenue procurement. The Master General Sustenance (MGS), Director Generals (DG) of Ordnance, Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME), DG Infantry, DG Armoured, ADG Mechanised Infantry, DG Artillery, DG Air Defence and DG Capability Development come under this office.
Fire power of weapon systems is technically checked at firing ranges for accuracy and serviceability with different types of ammunition authorized on that weapon system by the respective units and the field formations. The defects are removed, if any, and all weapons are to be declared fit for firing.
All weapons with night vision devices are to be serviceable and used during firing practice camps to validate their efficacy. Long Range Vectors should be calibrated and trials carried out at Long Range Field Firing Ranges for accuracy of all systems and night sights.
Serviceability checks to be done for all weapon systems quarterly and annually, as per Army Orders/Instructions/Weapon Manuals.
Repairs, if any are carried out in respective workshops and ensured that all weapons and equipment are serviced and all those due for ‘overhaul’ (on Priority basis) are carried out prior to war.
Heavy Calibre Weapons & Associated Equipment is made fully serviceable and field firing carried out prior to visualize operations with varied ammunitions and fuses. The technical tests and mechanical support provided by the EME and the associated AOC will be done in training areas and the firing ranges.
The Prime Movers (heavy duty vehicles) for these heavy weapons and platforms are to be serviceable and ready in all aspects for War. Medium & Low Calibre Weapons serviceability check done and compatibility with night sights undertaken.
Similarly, these have to be serviceable and field firing carried out prior to the visualized operations. The technical tests and mechanical support provided by the EME and the associated AOC will be done in training areas and the firing ranges. The Prime Movers (heavy duty vehicles) for these heavy weapons and platforms are to be serviceable and ready in all aspects for war.
Night Vision Capability: There are large number of night-vision devices (NVDs), also known as night optical/observation device (NOD) and night-vision goggles for personnel in combat (NVG are optoelectronic devices).
NVDs include optical components requires due upgradation checks and re-calibration for efficacy. These are mounted on weapons (weapon sights) and also on weapon platforms for night operations. The users and equipment compatibility are ensured for success in battlefield. Specialized training is also carried out on the NVDs to attain high proficiency level.
Communication Equipment State: The Corps of Signals deals with a plethora of communications equipment and its training in Army & responsible for Electronic Warfare. The development of advanced technology for satellites and aircraft, both manned and unmanned, as well as computers, drones & varied applications has revolutionized military warfare; it also supports intelligence-gathering.
There are six categories of military communications, viz. alert measurement systems, cryptography, military radio systems, nuclear command control, the signal corps, and network-centric warfare.
All radio sets used by personnel on man pack or vehicular mode are technically checked for efficacy. The batteries and charging sets/generators/satellite connectivity etc are made serviceable before war. The reserves are also kept in readiness for battle and released to units.
Assembly Equipment State (Controlled Stores): All binoculars, compasses, GPS military equipment to assist soldiers in war (optical & navigational) are checked technically by the units and workshops through skilled manpower for serviceability. These are specifically called ‘controlled stores’ and are preserved in special conditions under measured temperatures.
New Generation Equipment & Latest Technology: The entire new generation equipment comprises different types of latest technology weapon systems/ platforms inducted into the Army i.e. Infantry weapons, small arms, explosives, rockets, and mortars, vehicles for utility and miscellaneous, engineering and support, mine-protected, mine-clearing and mine-laying, Armoured combat vehicles, artillery, missile systems, anti-tank guided missiles, ballistic, cruise and anti-ballistic missiles, air defence missiles & rockets, helicopters, UAVs, radars, artillery & missile systems, infantry equipment, aviation equipment, engineers equipment etc.
The entire inventory with scaled reserves is maintained by units and technical workshops with large number of maintenances scaled items for repair and kept ready for war.
War Winning Strategy and Its Pervasive Applications:
“When one treats people with benevolence, justice, andrighteousness, and reposes confidence in them, the army will be united in mind and all will be happy to serve their leaders.” – Sun Tzu (Chinese Strategist)
The best way to approach a battle with a giant opponent is to dramatize a move in such a way that it terrifies the opposition, convincing them that you are much stronger than you actually are.
Chinese philosopher Sun Tzu outlined several leadership strategies to win a war. Similarly, ancient Indian philosopher Chanakya (Kautilya) shared several leadership strategies to defeat enemies. He once remarked: “The enemy of your enemy is your friend.” The leadership strategies shared by them are immortal as they can be applied everywhere, including military, business, and politics, depending on the situation and the leadership style of leaders.
To win your war, you must utilize integrated joint strategy, tactics, and perception management, as part of ‘information warfare’. Be prepared to be surprised and plan to surprise your enemy.
Keep your energy and enthusiasm high. Don’t get dejected due to temporary setbacks and failures. If required, take a break for some time to rejuvenate and restart your game to win. Whatever the strategies you adopt, you must ensure you are fighting for truth and justice.
Adopt ‘soft power’ skills of leadership to achieve your ends. If not, use ‘smart power’ options of your leadership to achieve your ends in timelines.
Leadership, High Morale & Fortitude
- Leadership is paramount and the vital essence of winning wars in any conditions in any circumstances on earth.
- To defeat your enemy, you must first bring his morale down through “Perception Management”, i.e. Psychological Warfare techniques. The people who follow him will start suspecting their leader’s abilities and gradually withdraw their support with a belief that their leader will be defeated and doesn’t make sense to fight a losing battle.
- That is why there is a lot of propaganda prior to and also during war, it aims to demoralize the enemy. Once morale is brought down, half of the battle is won. Sun Tzu remarked: “Know the enemy and know yourself; in a hundred battles you will never be in peril.”
- Consistently, keep your cards close to your chest. Don’t reveal everything to others as it helps others anticipate and counter your strategies.
- Always keep multiple plans ready to maintain your momentum. If one plan fails, alternative plans must be ready to address the challenges andmove things forward.
- Don’t talk too much, as you may divulge inadvertently the sensitive plans. Don’t disclose all your secrets to others as you end up worrying and protecting your secrets rather than winning the game.
Modern Weapons, Deception & Tactics
- Modern technology weapon systems and platform centric military systems essential to win wars.
- Divert your enemy’s attention with strategic surprise and deception. Externally focus on activities that draw your enemy to the wrong side and internally focus on activities to win your end game.
- Revise your leadership strategies and styles from time to time with a clear focus, as per the enemy opposite you.
- Take feedback from all sources to improve your strategy and decision-making skills. Remember, there is no fixed formula for strategy and decision-making. You must change your strategies depending on the situation and the availability of information.
Mantras for Successful Leadership Strategy
Here are some sutras to create a successful strategy and blueprint and to execute them effectively.
- Focus on your strengths and concentrate on the weaknesses of your opponents. Find out the chinks in the armour to eliminate your enemy.
- Be confident. Avoid over-confidence. Don’t underestimate your enemy.
- Learn to lose a battle to win a war.
- Don’t cut corners. Emphasize ethics and etiquette. Lead by example and achieve your success with integrity.
- Convert your enemy’s offensive posture into a defensive posture strategically.
- Look for survival first to prosper later. There is always another day to fight and win.
- Build strong alliances based on trust and confidenceto improve the strength and capacity to wage war.
- Be slow in building a blueprint for your strategy and be fast in executing your strategy relentlessly.
- Consult the specialists in the area to get accurate information and ideas. Remember, nobody is expected to know everything under the sun.
- Attack from all sources systematically and strategically. Keep your strategies confidential. If required, adopt an autocratic leadership style to keep things confidential.
- If your enemy is very strong, attack him part by part from all sources. Corner him from all sources to checkmate him finally.
- Create overconfidence in him to crush him.
- Remember, brain is always superior to brawn; use ingenuity of plans with surprise and deception to overwhelm the enemy.
- Show a way for your enemy to retreat when you attack to eliminate waste and achieve early victory.
Logistics and Administrative Plan for War-fighting & Sustenance
“The Line between Order and Disorder lies in Logistics” – Sun Tzu (Chinese Strategist)
Logistics Inventory: Military logistics is the science of planning and carrying out the movement & maintenance of armed forces, dealing with design & development, acquisition, storage, movement, distribution, maintenance, evacuation, and disposition of materiel, movement, evacuation, and hospitalization of personnel, acquisition or construction, maintenance, operation and disposition of facilities and acquisition or furnishing of services.
The large logistics inventory is specific to the Arms & Services. The Directorate General Operational Logistics (DGOL) deals with the above-mentioned aspects. Constant upgrading/updating of Equipment/Stores inventories is done with automated perfection at all the regional Depots/Offices, thereby reporting deficiencies/ surpluses, if any.
Air dropping of all types of supplies must be catered by helicopters and aircrafts and practiced at the Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs), which are contiguous to border areas. The Director General Operational Logistics (DGOL) has the onerous responsibilities to provide 24×7 combat responsive logistic support to the forces.
Combat Readiness: Combat readiness is a condition of the armed forces & their constituent units & formations, warships, aircraft, weapon systems or other military technology & equipment to perform during combat military operations. It comprises Combat Preparedness (Preparation i.e. training standards) & Equipment Effectiveness (standard of Overall Equipment). It is mandatory for the Army to have excellent training standards and well-maintained battle equipment response systems.
War Wastage Reserve (WWR): The WWR is created for the Armed Forces as reserves are collections of military material held in reserve in case of war. This includes storage of bullets and other form of ammunition, as well as equipment, stores, weapons and fuel – called War Wastage Reserve (WWR) – to fight a 40 days intense war. Strategic Petroleum Reserve may be considered a war stock. This is the most critical requirement to analyse before decision is taken to go to war.
Ammunition State & Serviceability: The Indian Army is required to hold ammunition enough to fight a short intense war of 20 days. Ammunition is well stocked in designated depots linked with rail network for mobilizing stocks during war to forward areas near the international borders. Inspections for safety & security and regular checks are carried out quarterly and annually. Old ammunition turned over always with new types and very old ammunition is dangerous for firing from weapon platforms, hence has to be discarded (as per policy). Build-up of full stocks before war is imperative for the nation.
Infrastructure Available: Infrastructure is the basic physical and organizational structure essential for the Army and includes the services & facilities necessary for functioning effectively. It includes a set of inter-connected elements.
Infrastructure is an important parameter for judging capability of the Armed Forces and the Nation; it is a component of the Comprehensive National Power (CNP).
‘Military Infrastructure’ refers to military buildings, rear line repair facilities and permanent installations necessary for the support of military personnel and their hardware to practice ‘warfare’ and be ‘ready for war’ with the 1.3 million strong army stationed nationwide and in heights of the Himalayas and deserts safeguarding over 10,000 km of hostile and friendly borders of the nation.
It also includes headquarters, barracks, airfields, communication facilities, reliable and timely logistic supply systems, military support equipment, weapons and their maintenance depots and port installations and dockyards that support the navy.
The nation’s roads and railways are critical for the army for transportation, termed, ‘Reserve Rolling Stock’ (RRS). War Wastage Reserve (WWR) ammunition is stored in specially built fireproof depots, most times underground or in areas away from populations. War reserve fuel is stored in tanks as part of military infrastructure, though the reserves may be maintained by oil companies.
Mobility of Forces is very critical during mobilization for war and depends largely on developed infrastructure. The Border Roads Organization (BRO) was set up to support the armed forces and meet their strategic needs and maintain the operational roads and infrastructure of the Army General Staff in border areas.
BRO was dedicated for development and sustenance of the infrastructure and to achieve international levels of quality in a cost-effective manner. It was also tasked to contribute to the socio-economic development of the border states. Communication network is significant in the mobilization of forces to forward border areas in time critical periods.
Medical Support: The planning and practice of the surgical management of mass battlefield casualties and the logistical & administrative considerations of establishing and operating combat support hospitals. High end technology spectrum of modernized medical equipment is required for the Army during peace and War.
From the lowest level of Section Hospitals, serviceable high mobility ambulances, trained paramedical attendants, equipment, surgical specialists, emergency stores, medical trains etc to be galvanized into action for war.
The Field Ambulances/General Hospitals/Command Hospitals/R&R Hospital New Delhi to support the casualties during conflicts. Upgrading all hospitals and making up deficiencies of medicine and war medical equipment is of paramount importance. Air dropping of packaged medicines to be catered for operations.
Cohesion and Teamwork in the Indian Army
“Be extremely subtle even to the point of formlessness.
Be extremely mysterious even to the point of soundlessness.
Thereby you can be the director of the opponent’s fate.”
– Sun Tzu (Chinese Strategist)
Morale & Motivation: Morale is important in the Armed Forces because it improves unit cohesion. Morale is usually assessed at a collective, rather than an individual level.
In wartime, civilian morale is also important. Esprit de corps is considered to be an important part of a fighting unit. All ranks in the Field Formations (operationalized)/Peace Areas i.e. Combatants and Non-Combatants must maintain ‘High Threshold’ of morale to fight for their nation against superior odds. Lectures and rousing speeches are made by military leaders to lead their men to war against the enemy.
Leadership: The “single most critical war winning factor is good role model leadership”. The orthodoxy regarding relationship between politicians and military leaders in wartime democracies contends that politicians should declare a military operation’s objectives and then step aside and leave the business of war to the military. All formation commanders as paragons of top line leaders exhort their men to give their best during war for their motherland. Every single man fights for “an inch of ribbon to emblazon his chest with blood & honour in war”.
Discipline: Military discipline is the training that enhances self-control, behaviour and competence and as the outcome of such nature of training, which means adherence to the regulations formulated for the advantage of the team.
The Army is all about discipline, which is most critical in the face of enemy. It is intrinsic to the Indian soldier to be well disciplined and execute orders/ instructions to the best of his/her abilities in a time-frame. It is ingrained from the days of the academies and recruiting regimental centres into the military men, thereby attaining high levels of proficiency and efficiency in the entire system. It is also considered as a major war winning factor.
Cohesion & Teamwork: In the Army, cohesion is a multi-faceted process. It can be broken down into four main components: social relations, task relations, perceived unity, and emotions. This is also considered by leaders as another important war winning factor, comprising tactical acumen for planning operations, professionalism and sterling leadership qualities, to gain ascendency over the adversary in any type of terrain configuration and eclectic operations of war.
Good Battle Drills & Military Procedures for war: The battle drills and procedures describe how sections, platoons and squads apply fire and manoeuvre to commonly encountered situations in war conditions.
They require leaders to make decisions rapidly and to issue brief oral orders quickly to gain success with minimum casualties to soldiers in combat. An infantry battle drill describes how platoons and squads apply fire and manoeuvre to commonly encountered situations. They require leaders to make decisions rapidly and to issue brief oral orders quickly. This is perfected before war by all arms and services to achieve the mission in battle resolutely with victory. This aspect is a very critical training factor for battle preparedness.
Like all other modern armed forces, the Indian Army has been considerably influenced by the Revolution in Military Affairs and the great strides being made in technology development. This has necessitated a transformation in strategic thinking along with a paradigm shift in organization and conduct of operations.
As a consequence, military doctrines, weapon systems and force structures have been reviewed.
Our vision for the 21st century is to have a modernized, equipped and optimally structured army, enabling it to respond effectively to varied situations and demands, whilst it continually adapts itself to meet future challenges. Such a vision places emphasis on the ability to augment existing strengths, develop new skills, think imaginatively and attempt innovative approaches to cope with the emerging operational environment.
The challenges that confront us require deep introspection for upgradation of the Armed Forces and accordingly develop suitable approaches to structures, equipping and training to emerge with flying colours in future conflict situations.
The impetus for change must come from within and flow through the entire Army. Funds scarcity or shortfall is a challenge faced by all armies of the world and hence there is a need for improved operating cultures and optimization of resources.
The triumphant armies of the future will not necessarily be the ones that have greater combat power but ones that can visualize, comprehend and anticipate battles more clearly, with all possible contingencies.
There will invariably be technological gaps between the systems that we possess and those developed up to that point in time. Notwithstanding this gap, we have to continuously utilize all available resources imaginatively and effectively.
The emergence of ‘Information & Cyber Warfare’ as a major force multiplier which indicates clearly the significance of imperatives related to ‘Network Centric’ warfare. Additionally, present trends indicate a marked shift towards the ‘Hybrid and Autonomous Warfare’ and directive style of command.
Concurrently, the requirement for integrated joint operations, i.e. Jointmanship and the need for greater all level tri-services integration, which is mandated as being an operational imperative for success in operations.
The Indian Armed Forces should be fully prepared for a transformational paradigm, viz Professional Military Education (PME), Integrated Theatre Commands and Military Civil Fusion (MCF) and significantly establish the ‘Computerised Joint Wargame Centre (CJWC)’ to veritably modernise the forces with high-end technology spectrum, through understanding of tri-services battlefield dynamics in Jointmanship and interoperability at all levels towards enablement of integrated operations in multi-dimensional network centric hybrid warfare environment in the neighbourhood and in ‘Out of Area Contingency (OOAC)’ operations.
The policy formulations and tri-services joint directives to instrumentalise amalgamation and seamless execution of integrated doctrines and precepts of warfare.
“And how can man die better than facing fearful odds,
for the ashes of his fathers, and the temples of his Gods”
-Thomas Babington Macaulay
(The writer is a military scholar. Presently, he is DG, Amity Institute of Defence & Strategic Studies). Views expressed are personal and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda.
