IN the Himalayas, it is not mass – which China can probably muster – that matters most. Instead, the ability to maintain troops logistically matters, and that ability can be put under pressure even by small groups that can threaten the adversary’s rear.
Army Chief General Manoj Pandey addresses the media in Delhi ahead of Army Day on 15 January. He described the situation on the northern border as stable, under control, but unpredictable. Gen Pande declared that the Army is highly prepared and well prepared to deal with any challenge even as China has increased its troops along the eastern border. It is an assurance that will probably be tested in due course.
Operational preparedness for the military is a product of its human agency, requiring it to be fueled with material assets in the form of equipment, infrastructure, and technology. Unlike the Navy and Air Force, where reliance on technology to control the sea or airspace is high, the Army is relatively less dependent on high-end technology due to the nature of land warfare. Fighting spirit is its primary weapon, and despite all technological advances in war-fighting, human agency remains supreme – especially in the situation that prevails on the northern frontiers of India.
Military confrontations on the northern frontiers are taking place in the mighty Himalayas, where bitter cold and lack of oxygen pose enormous challenges to operational effectiveness, though mitigated somewhat by improvements in warm clothing and shelters. What is not under control and never will be is the vagaries of nature in the form of blizzards, avalanches and blizzards. Strategically, operationally and logistically, maintaining a large military force in the Himalayas would be a nightmare. Therefore, the Army’s operational preparedness has to focus on what China can do, ie ‘salami slicing’. It is a term used to describe the process of taking control over a slice of disputed territory and observed over several decades.
China’s clear operational design means that there is no better preparation for the military than to be prepared to retaliate with similar retorts. As long as we are ready, the vastness of the range will allow it. Preparedness includes building road infrastructure and mobilizing forces to carry out limited offensive measures, which can be supported operationally, especially by the firepower of land and air platforms, while ensuring logistical support .
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put limited resources to infinite use
During his press conference, the COAS said that 41 per cent of the Army’s equipment falls in the vintage category, and only 12-15 per cent is state-of-the-art: a trend which he expected would change by 2030. It is, therefore, clear that expectations for the timely inclusion of better equipment are low. But it is not that the existing holdings are idle. Connectivity to further areas has also improved through road and tunnel construction, though it is still a work in progress.
The environmental risk posed by heavy construction in the Himalayas was recently highlighted by a landslide in Joshimath, Uttarakhand. Such threats can affect ongoing infrastructure construction. However, militarily, there is room for infinite use of limited resources. It is something that can only be achieved through the power of imagination and human agency, as a strategy distilled through the lens of experience and leveraging accessible technology.
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India is more experienced in high altitude warfare
The experience of the Indian military in high altitude warfare far surpasses that of China. After all, the Siachen Glacier has provided continuous experience for almost 30 years. In operational effectiveness, experience matters as long as it is accessed through institutional memory. Of course, the scale of deployment of troops along the northern border is huge, but learning from experience is the bread and butter of the military leadership. The primary challenge of the military leadership is to design a strategy developed by technology, used indigenously and anchored in experience.
innovation will make up for flaws
There is nothing more psychologically devastating to the forces occupying the ground at high altitude than when they find that their logistical sustenance has been cut off. Special forces and local scouts such as the Ladakh or Arunachal Pradesh Scouts are particularly well suited for these high-risk missions. Presumably, such measures already exist and are being strengthened. It shows that even if the army has some capability deficits in equipment, supporting infrastructure and technology, they can be made up to a significant extent through innovative tactics.
The innovative strategy requires high quality junior leadership at the Lieutenant, Captain and Major levels. Commanding officers of the rank of Colonel play an important role. Fortunately, this remains a traditional strength of the Indian Army, historically proven.
This advantage is also magnified by a rank and file who, if skilfully led, are prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice. It provides the sharp edge that makes all the difference in combat. If managed successfully, includes agnivere’s gait Can maintain a youth profile which is imperative for combat capability.
Of course, we can’t rest on our laurels and consider these as strengths, The top leadership should try to push the boundaries to meet the requirements of adequacy to the insufficient resources.
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Manpower: The most powerful weapon of the military
Top officials have their work cut out for them. It is a formidable challenge, but one that can be met despite the military’s material deficiencies, which are likely to persist. These problems can be solved if it is recognized that human agency is the most important powerful weapon of the military. Army Day is an appropriate occasion to remember this adage and rededicate ourselves to the defense of our sovereign state in the face of war.
Uncertainty, danger, and danger to life and limb form the fabric of the soldier in the military. It is the military that often comes closest to these threats. As I watched the Army Day parade in Bengaluru – the first ever held outside Delhi – the nostalgic spirit of bohomy with olive green provided a special ‘high’ that the uniform begets. The Indian Army, in the unpredictable future, has responded to the call of duty with a spirit of sacrifice whenever necessary, which is its proud credit.
Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Prakash Menon (Retd.) is the Director of Strategic Studies Programme, Takshashila Institute; Former Military Advisor, National Security Council Secretariat. He tweeted @prakashmenon51. Thoughts are personal.
(Edited by Zoya Bhatti)