The exercise was also intended to validate the concept of synergy between the Pivot Corps (Defensive Corps) and the Strike Corps and the options available for increasing the synergy between the two

The elite strike corps of the Indian Army, the Ambala-based 2 Corps (Strike), also referred to as the Kharga Corps, has just completed its summer manoeuvres in the desert region of north Rajasthan. This was the first amongst a series of Western Command routine annual summer exercises in north Rajasthan in the area of Suratgarh and Bikaner. Interestingly, the formation sign of this Corps is Kharga which is the weapon of Goddess Mahakali, the destroyer of all negativities.

The aim of the exercise was to validate the new concepts which have emerged during the transformation studies undertaken by the Indian Army in light of the nature of future wars, organisational innovations, and the new technologies being introduced in the Army. This exercise also gave the Indian Army the opportunity to test its new weapon systems and force multipliers being inducted. This involved the testing and field trials of both hardware and software.

The exercise was also intended to validate the concept of synergy between the Pivot Corps (Defensive Corps) and the Strike Corps and the options available for increasing the synergy between the two.

The exercise practised sustained mass mechanised manoeuvres in a simulated environment by composite battle groups, ably supported by air and complemented by a wide array of weapon systems and enabling operational logistics.

The Indian Army, which is working towards a ‘capability-based approach’, has embarked on a series of transformational initiatives spanning new concepts, organisational structures and absorption of new age technologies, particularly in the fields of precision munitions, advance surveillance systems, space and network-centricity. These were fielded and trial evaluated by nominated test-bed formations and units participating in the exercise. The thrust of the transformational initiative is for the Army to emerge as a modern, lean, agile and enabled force.

While the acquisition of high-tech weaponry and combat support systems is an essential prerequisite for a capability-based approach, honing of human skills to harness technological advancements in military hardware is a never ending challenge. In the conduct of the exercise, combat decisions taken at each level of command were analysed for their ability to synergise the application of state-of-the-art weapon platforms, to achieve optimum results. Such routine exercises with troops are conducted during the training cycles of formations.

The interesting part of the exercise was the manoeuvre executed by the armour and mechanised infantry combat groups supported by long-range medium artillery guns capable of firing precision guided munitions, self-propelled air defence artillery which provides air defence cover to the manoeuvre force, assault engineers for quickly laying assault bridges over a water obstacle and mobile mine clearing equipment to provide mobility through minefields, attack helicopters and close support aircraft. Thus such groupings are formidable forces trained and equipped to destroy enemy’s strategic, operational and tactical reserves.

The T-90 tanks and Arjun tanks, with high velocities of movement, duly supported by mechanised infantry in their BMP2 infantry combat vehicles and other supporting arms, constituted the leading echelons of the battle groups whose aim was to project strike forces in enemy territory thus inviting the enemy to react against them and then destroy the enemy mechanised forces in well orchestrated tank battles. These actions together with other combat drills and procedures involving other specialised elements for various special tasks were exciting to behold.

With air assets set to play a decisive role in future battles, the increased air assets of the Army and the Air Force were employed in an integrated manner in the exercise. Integration with the Indian Air Force in all stages and employment of airborne and heliborne Special Forces was the highlight of the exercise. The IAF elements involved in the exercise included MiG-29, MiG-21 Bison, Jaguars, IL-76, AN-32, Mi-17 1V, Avro, Chetak and the attack helicopters, MI-25/35.

The 300 paratroopers and 50 despatchers were air dropped from one IL-76 and six AN-32 transport aircraft in stealthy night operations. The IAF employed Mi-17 1V Utility helicopters for special heliborne operations (SHBO), including dropping of Special Forces behind simulated enemy lines.

“Every army fights to win. There is no prize for second place. I believe there is scope for a conventional war without escalating beyond the nuclear threshold,” says Lieutenant General S.R. Ghosh, GOC-in-C, Western Command, Indian Army. Brains over brawn is the new mantra, as the Indian Army is now using high technology gadgetry including unmanned aerial vehicles, satellite feeds and televised updates from the battlefield to plan operations. It is reported that a total of about 400 tanks, 300 aircraft, and 50,000 soldiers took part in the exercise.