Army reworks war doctrine for Pakistan, China

F-14

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NEW DELHI: The Army is now revising its five-year-old doctrine to effectively meet the challenges of a possible `two-front war' with China and
Pakistan, deal with asymmetric and fourth-generation warfare, enhance strategic reach and joint operations with IAF and Navy. Work on the new war doctrine -- to reflect the reconfiguration of threat perceptions and security challenges -- is already underway under the aegis of Shimla-based Army Training Command, headed by Lt-General A S Lamba, said sources.

It comes in the backdrop of the 1.13-million strong Army having practised -- through several wargames over the last five years -- its `pro-active' war strategy to mobilise fast and strike hard to pulverise the enemy.

This `cold start strategy', under a NBC (nuclear-chemical-biological) overhang, emerged from the `harsh lessons' learnt during Operation Parakram, where it took Army's strike formations almost a month to mobilise at the `border launch pads' after the December 2001 terrorist attack on Parliament.

This gave ample opportunity to Pakistan to shore up its defences as well as adequate time to the international community, primarily the US, to intervene. The lack of clear directives from the then NDA government only made matters worse.

"A major leap in our approach to conduct of operations (since then) has been the successful firming-up of the cold start strategy (to be able to go to war promptly)," said Army chief General Deepak Kapoor, at a closed-door seminar on Tuesday.

The plan now is to launch self-contained and highly-mobile `battle groups', with Russian-origin T-90S tanks and upgraded T-72 M1 tanks at their core, adequately backed by air cover and artillery fire assaults, for rapid thrusts into enemy territory within 96 hours.

Gen Kapoor identified five thrust areas that will drive the new doctrine. One, even as the armed forces prepare for their primary task of conventional wars, they must also factor in the eventuality of `a two-front war' breaking out.

In tune with this, after acquiring a greater offensive punch along the entire western front with Pakistan by the creation of a new South-Western Army Command in 2005, India is now taking steps -- albeit belatedly -- to strategically counter the stark military asymmetry with China in the eastern sector. There is now "a proportionate focus towards the western and north-eastern fronts", said Gen Kapoor.

Two, the Army needs to `optimise' its capability to effectively counter `both military and non-military facets' of asymmetric and sub-conventional threats like WMD terrorism, cyber warfare, electronic warfare and information warfare.

Three, the armed forces have to substantially enhance their strategic reach and out-of-area capabilities to protect India's geo-political interests stretching from Persian Gulf to Malacca Strait.

"This would enable us to protect our island territories; as also give assistance to the littoral states in the Indian Ocean Region," said Gen Kapoor.

Four, interdependence and operational synergy among Army, Navy and IAF must become the essence of strategic planning and execution in future wars. "For this, joint operations, strategic and space-based capability, ballistic missile defence and amphibious, air-borne and air-land operations must be addressed comprehensively," he said.

And five, India must strive to achieve a technological edge over its adversaries. "Harnessing and exploitation of technology also includes integration of network centricity, decision-support systems, information warfare and electronic warfare into our operational plans," he added.

Apart from analysing the evolving military strategy and doctrines of China and Pakistan, the Army is also studying the lessons learnt from the US-launched Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan in 2001 and Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and their relevance to India.

Army reworks war doctrine for Pakistan, China - India - The Times of India
 

sayareakd

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finally IA has wake up to ground reality of close nexus between Pakistan and china and what harm it can cause in the event of two front war.
 

F-14

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but thing is that do we have enough equipment to meet all this most of is only in the "Pipeline"
 

Yusuf

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A topic that became one of the hottest on DFI has now become a reality. The Army is going to work on a doctrine to fight a war on two fronts namely China and Pakistan. It would be interesting as to what details come out in the future on this doctrine. Forumites will have a good time discussing it. At DFI, we have already discussed a lot about it.
 

sayareakd

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Do we have enough equipment, manpower and training to have decisive short term war with pakistan let alone war with China and Pakistan on two front at the same time.
 

F-14

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The plan now is to launch self-contained and highly-mobile `battle groups', with Russian-origin T-90S tanks and upgraded T-72M1 tanks at their core, adequately backed by air cover and artillery fire assaults, for rapid thrusts into enemy territory within 96 hours.
i get the part of the Armour but what about the arty part ??? its an open secret that our regiment of artillery is in shambles
 

sandeepdg

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Finally, the IA seems to have come out in the open about the strategies to be adopted by it in case of a two-pronged war with both our troublesome neighbors. But as pointed out by other members, I sincerely don't think they have enough assets to spare for even a low intensity skirmish on both fronts, especially the artillery part ! All this just seems to be plans for the future, ie atleast 8-10 into the future.
 

sayareakd

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i get the part of the Armour but what about the arty part ??? its an open secret that our regiment of artillery is in shambles
how many of those (armour) can be used for chines border, we dont have any single light tank in sight.
 

p2prada

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how many of those (armour) can be used for chines border, we dont have any single light tank in sight.
Tanks are useless in the Himalayas. It will only make us look good and scare the public from rioting or something. They are not meant to serve any strategic purpose.
 

bengalraider

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This report calls for offensive actions (albeit limited)on both the eastern and western fronts something i do not see happening in the immediate future. in fact such offensives shall require an infusion(read addition to over and above existing assets) of large numbers of armored and artillery assets in order to give us breathing space in case of a two-front war, also the CAS capability of the IAF shall need to be increased manifold for it to be able to support army operations on both theaters.
 

Soham

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IMO, Its entirely dependent on the inter forces co-op.
Also, in any such scenario, I would expect offensives in the West and holding action on the North. The Himalyan terrain is cruel to the aggressor who will have one hell of a time trying to break through organized defences(with the terrain in mind).
 

maximus777

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Dont think anything useful will come out of it. Redesigning the doctrine is one thing, but actually implementing the same is a whole new ball game. Even with the current doctrine which has already been in place, dont think we have enough armour/artillery and IAF resources to inflict severe losses on Pakistan (let alone China). If a brazen terror attack (like 2001 parliament attackoor 26/11) sponsored by Pak were to occur again, what would be the nature of our response?
 

RAM

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Indian Army's two-front doctrine betrays hostile intent: Pak

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has said that Indian Army's new military doctrine including scenarios such as a two-front simultaneous war with both China and Pakistan "betrays a hostile intent" and a "jingoistic mindset". Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said in a statement that the Indian Army's new military doctrine "betray a hostile intent as well as a hegemonic and jingoistic mindset which is quite out of step with the realities of our time".

Pakistan is prepared to defend itself in the face of all contingencies, Basit said. "No one should ever underestimate our capability and determination to foil any nefarious designs against the security of Pakistan," he said.

Indian Army officials have said that the doctrine, which is reviewed every five years at the Army's Shimla-based Training Command, will now include scenarios such as a two- front simultaneous war with both China and Pakistan.

Basit called on the world community to take "due notice of such statements".

He added: "Pakistan remains mindful of the threats posed to its security as well as the importance of promoting peace in South Asia."

The spokesman also told a weekly news briefing at the Foreign Office that Pakistan's desire for peace should not be mistaken for weakness.

Indian Army's two-front doctrine betrays hostile intent: Pak - India - The Times of India
 

F-14

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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has said that Indian Army's new military doctrine including scenarios such as a two-front simultaneous war with both China and Pakistan "betrays a hostile intent" and a "jingoistic mindset". Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said in a statement that the Indian Army's new military doctrine "betray a hostile intent as well as a hegemonic and jingoistic mindset which is quite out of step with the realities of our time".

Look who is talking :rofl:
 

indiansoldier1999

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Two front doctrine

Unlikely scenario !!

China -> Pakistan -> Pecker heads (Jihadis) proxy war is going to continue.

Americans are going to be in Afghanistan for a long time, but even if they leave, NATO forces are going to stick around for Taliban hunting missions.

American pressure on Pakistan is going to continue to take down Pakistani Taliban and track down bin laden.

I wouldn't say India has enough equipments to face China right now. But by 2015, India will be ready to face any country (including the US) if both nuclear and conventional forces are taken into consideration.

India is working on Nirbhay cruise missile (everybody knows it) but people may not know that serious work is going on to fix the Turbofan engine problems. Russians are involved (unofficially) since Missile control act prohibits them from directly selling Turbofan for cruise missiles more than 300 km.

Nirbhay can be compared to DF-10 of PLA

1000 km @ 1000 kg payload

2000 km @ 500 kg

3000 km @ 250 kg payload (Thermonuclear payload)

By 2015, India would also have at least 3 ballistic missile nuclear submarines.
Agni III (SLBM) ICBM would also be ready.

Agni III land based ICBM variants would have been mass produced by 2015.

and don't forget about Agni V and Agni V SLBM. It would also see the light.

Anti-ballistic missile program would be matured as well.

Nobody wants war, but our enemies would think twice before waging a full blown war. Proxy war is the best bet for both China and Pakistan. Expect more bomb blasts in India.

It means, India should equally concentrate on its internal security. Seal the porous border, regulate immigration rules.
 

Agantrope

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India is working on Nirbhay cruise missile (everybody knows it) but people may not know that serious work is going on to fix the Turbofan engine problems. Russians are involved (unofficially) since Missile control act prohibits them from directly selling Turbofan for cruise missiles more than 300 km.
Any proof/link for this??? i am very eager to know abt this:twizt:
 

sayareakd

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Dont think anything useful will come out of it. Redesigning the doctrine is one thing, but actually implementing the same is a whole new ball game. Even with the current doctrine which has already been in place, dont think we have enough armour/artillery and IAF resources to inflict severe losses on Pakistan (let alone China). If a brazen terror attack (like 2001 parliament attackoor 26/11) sponsored by Pak were to occur again, what would be the nature of our response?
this new doctrine is, in the event China attack India and Pakistan joins in later on or simultaneous to attack India, this doctrine is making plans as to how to fight that type of war situation, this has been earlier discuss by the IAF.

Yeah it is true that we dont have sufficient hardware for any war with Pakistan or china individually, what to say of joint two front war, but this is start and it is good that IA is thinking what could really happen in war with china.

hope some new plans and equipments would come in IA way with this new doctrine......
 

sayareakd

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Indian Army's two-front doctrine betrays hostile intent: Pak

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has said that Indian Army's new military doctrine including scenarios such as a two-front simultaneous war with both China and Pakistan "betrays a hostile intent" and a "jingoistic mindset". Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said in a statement that the Indian Army's new military doctrine "betray a hostile intent as well as a hegemonic and jingoistic mindset which is quite out of step with the realities of our time".
IA has for the first time worked/acknowledge this new doctrine in public (once IAF has said that they want defensive action against China and offensive action against Pakistan in two front war), this new doctrine must have been their since 1971, as during that period their was likely chance that China would intervene in the 1971 war to help pakistan.

Pakistan must have been nurturing hope that China would attack India and being the opportunist as Pakistan is would join in to create two front trouble for India in order to humiliate India and to get revenge for 1971 humiliating defeat and breakup of pakistan.

what is aforesaid is nothing but frustration of Pakistan as IA is talking about pro active approch to counter such a game plan of China-pakistan. They are but naturally crying like baby.
 

neo29

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India getting ready to fight China and Pakistan simultaneously : Indian Army Chief


Shimla-based Indian Army Training Command, headed by Lt-General A S Lamba is getting ready for something Indian Military never was ready before. Indian Air Force, Navy, and Army is ready to face Pakistan and China at the same time.

India’s 1.13-million strong Military is now panning to handle two major war fronts at the same time. India considers Pakistan and China as part of the same camp. India knows the next war will be between India and “Pakistan +China.” India will get indirect support from America and Russia, but Indian Military will have to fight the two war at the same time.

Indian Military has been training for the mini giant war against two nuclear powered nations at the same time. China has used Pakistan for a long time to keep India busy. Now time has come for India to recognize a massive threat from China and Pakistan at the same time. Indian Army chief General Deepak Kapoor emphasizes that India is ready for a “the successful firming-up of the cold start strategy (to be able to go to war promptly) in the multiple fronts against multiple different militias at the same time.”

The plan is a full thrust assault into multiple anomies at the same time with massive Air Force superiority. If attacked by Pakistan and china at the same time, India will launch self-contained and highly-mobile `battle groups'', with Russian-origin T-90S tanks and upgraded T-72 M1 tanks at their core, adequately backed by far superior air cover and artillery fire assaults, for rapid thrusts into enemy territory within 96 hours.

India plans to end the war decisively within the first 96 hours forcing the other sides into a fast submission of ceasefire.People’s Liberation Army is aware of the capacities of Indian Army and Air Force. It will be exactly opposite of 1962 war. That is why they are busy building massive infrastructure in the Indian border areas especially in Aksai Chin and Tibet.

he real war in that scenario will be between India and China while Pakistan will be used by China to create adequate disturbance for Indian Military.That is the reason why Lt-General A S Lamba of Indian Army is so keen a massive thrust into Rawalpindi to quiet Pakistanis within 48 hours of the start of assault.

India’s biggest advantage is the its software capabilities in integrating signal intelligence with ground intelligence. India will use algorithmic seek and scan technology to counter the Chinese threats in the North and possible Pakistani nuclear threat in the West.India is focused on integrating its Navy, Army and Air Force into an integrated command and Control system completely controlled and dominated by the superior software algorithms that can prove deadly in the war front.

India Daily
 

indiansoldier1999

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Nirbhay

"Any proof/link for this??? i am very eager to know abt this"
Once it is test fired, everybody would know about Nirbhay cruise missile and who is involved. A credible source from DRDO revealed Russian involvement. Nirbhay would be test fired with an imported engine but eventually indigenous engine may replace it. Russia may not allow Nirbhay cruise missile induction with an imported engine.
 

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