Indian Amphibious Force

.v0id

FOUNDER
Senior Member
Joined
Feb 10, 2009
Messages
371
Likes
26


In February 2009 the Indian Army re-raised 91 Infantry Brigade in amphibious role comprising of 3 infantry Bns and a strength of 3,000 personnel. The soldiers have been drawn from the Sikh, Gorkhas and Madras regiments. The amphibious brigade of the army had been undergoing training for over a year at Thiruvananthapuram and was formally launched by the defence minister A.K. Antony. The new amphibious brigade, is modelled on the lines of the Indian Navy's marine commandos and specialising in land and marine warfare. Experts see it as a necessary adjunct to meet India's security challenges.

While expeditionary forces can be airborne or seaborne this is the first time that the Indian Army has raised a sea-based force large enough to be considered as an expeditionary force. So far, an infantry battalion had been undertaking such amphibious responsibilities on transfer to the tri-services command at Andaman and Nicobar islands.

The first effort to create a dedicated force was mooted by the naval headquarters as it prepared to acquire the landing platform dock, the INS Jalashva, earlier the USS Trenton, in 2007. By exporting the Trenton to the Indian Navy, the Pentagon transferred not only a warship but also the whole idea of expeditionary warfare that the Indian military had so far been chary about.

Kerala is home to the country's first amphibious brigade. Initially, there were two battalions and one brigade stationed in the heart of the city in a campus of around 450 acres. One battalion, due to lack of space, was stationed in Bangalore. There were 3,000 personnel, and with the announcement to convert this into an amphibious brigade which took place early in 2009 in Delhi, the strength would go up to 5,000 personnel. Another 500 acres was promised to the brigade for the campus. Tamil Nadu and Karnataka for a long time had been tempting officials by promising more than 3,000 acres of land for the amphibious brigade, but by 2008 it was certain that he brigade would be in Kerala.

In 2008 India unveiled the joint doctrine for its amphibious operations. The doctrine is meant to serve as a guideline on how the armed forces intend to plan and conduct amphibious operations and achieve full synergistic effect of joint combat power.

Amphibious warfare is the utilisation of naval firepower, logistics and strategy to send troops ashore. A well-planned and executed amphibious operation - basically a tri-service operation launched from the sea by carrying soldiers and their weaponry on a ship and affecting a landing on enemy shore - could change the course of a war. In the modern era, amphibious warfare persists in the form of commando insertion by fast patrol boats and mini submersibles. In modern warfare, an amphibious landing of infantry troops on a beach is the most complex of all military manouvers. The undertaking requires coordination of numerous military specialities, including air power, naval gunfire, naval transport, logistical planning, specialised equipment, land warfare, tactics and extensive training in the nuances of this manoeuvre for all personnel involved.

Dedicated ships and aircraft would be needed to make the amphibious brigade fully operational. Amphibious warfare is the utilisation of naval firepower, logistics and strategy to send troops ashore. In the modern era, amphibious warfare persists in the form of commando insertion by fast patrol boats and mini submersibles. In modern warfare, an amphibious landing of infantry troops on a beach is the most complex of all military manoevers. The undertaking requires coordination of numerous military specialities, including air power, naval gunfire, naval transport, logistical planning, specialised equipment, land warfare, tactics and extensive training in the nuances of this maneuver for all personnel involved. A well-planned and executed amphibious operation - basically a tri-service operation launched from the sea by carrying soldiers and their weaponry on a ship and affecting a landing on enemy shore - could change the course of a war.

In February 2009 the Indian Army, Navy and the Air Force jointly conducted the largest ever amphibious exercise codenamed "EXERCISE TROPEX-2009" at Madhavpur beach in Gujarat. The amphibious landing, the most complex of all military manoeuvres involving coordination and synergy from conceptualization to planning and final execution, was ably demonstrated on the shores of Madhavpur. The pre-assault operations of planning, mobilization and embarkation having been achieved at Karwar, the amphibious task force sailed from Karwar on 05 February 2009 and landed on the shores of Madhavpur 09 February 2009 using the newly inducted Landing Platform Dock (LPD) INS Jalashwa, several Landing Ship Tank Large {LST(L)}, fleet ships with their integral helicopters, shore-based aircraft and submarines from the Indian Navy and hovercraft of the Coast Guard. This is the first time the joint doctrine on amphibious warfare of the Indian Armed Forces which was formulated last year was put into practice with its full scope. Tanks, armored personnel carriers and Infantry troops of 91 Infantry Brigade of the Sudarshan Chakra Corps participated in both stand-off and hard beaching modes.
Source: 91 Infantry Brigade



Three wings of defence come together for biggest-ever joint amphibious exercise

In the dead of night, two groups of Blue Nation�s marine commandos sailing on motorised rafts arrived at the Madhavpur beach of Green Nation, which had been taken over by terrorists of Islamic Red Nation. A madrasa nearby, which had been turned into a terrorist camp, was the target of Blue Nation�s armed forces. They responded to an SOS call by the hydrocarbon-rich Green Nation.
A fierce gun-battle ensued. The commandos, supported by fighter jets, captured the beach and sent a signal to the flotilla of Landing Platform Docks. Immediately, the vessels released tanks that reached the shore in no time and unleashed a three-pronged attack using armoured personnel carriers and infantry. Within an hour, terrorist camps were destroyed and Madhavpur was captured.
On Monday, Madhavpur beach in Porbandar district, which is located only a few miles from the International Maritime Border Line with Pakistan, became a war zone. The Indian Army, Navy and the Air Force conducted the largest-ever joint amphibious exercise in the country. Code-named Exercise Tropex-2009, the war games involved over 4,000 personnel of 9 Infantry Brigade, with tanks and BMPs, guns and engineering equipment. A huge fleet of nine ships, aircrafts, fighter jets and a submarine were also part of the exercise.
The most complex military manoeuvres involving coordination and synergy from conceptualisation to planning and execution, were demonstrated on the shores of Madhavpur. The Coast Guard was also a part of it. Joint capabilities of the three services to strike the enemy were demonstrated amply in the programme. This is for the first time the Joint Doctrine on Amphibious Warfare of Indian Armed Forces, formulated in 2008, was put into practice in its full scope.
The military top brass were all praise for the participants. It was hailed as a display of a very high degree of jointmanship between the three services.
�This was the largest exercise ever conducted. We have done what is considered a very complex exercise that calls for high level co-ordination and synergy between all three military wings,� said Vice-Admiral J S Bedi, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command.
Lieutenant General Pradeep Khanna, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command, said, �So far, this had been only a part of the classroom. For the first time, it has become a reality and that too on a large scale.�
�Correct sequence and time displayed during the exercise indicates good coordination between all the three wings,� said Air Marshal K D Singh, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, South Western Air Command.
The exercise has come at a time when tensions between India and Pakistan have been escalating. However, the officers denied any connection with the post 26/11 rhetoric between the two countries. Brigadier Cherish Mathose, commander of 91 Brigade, said terms like �militants from Islamic nations� and �Madrasa� were simply a part of the story and nothing else.
The pre-assault planning, and mobilisation having been achieved at Karwar in Goa on February 5, the troops landed on Madhavpur four days later using the newly inducted LPD INS Jalashwar, several landing ships, tanks, helicopters, shore-based aircraft, a submarine and hovercrafts. The SWAC deployed its Jaguars that fired rockets with pin point accuracy on the target from an altitude of 200 feet, while Mig-29s marshalled the skies.

Source:[url]http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/gujarat-coast-becomes-virtual-war-zone/421478/[/URL]
 

nitesh

Mob Control Manager
Senior Member
Joined
Feb 12, 2009
Messages
7,550
Likes
1,307
This is good move towards joint operations more exercises should happen to finetune the doctrine.
 

bhramos

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 21, 2009
Messages
25,625
Likes
37,233
Country flag
India's Marine Commando Brigade

 
Last edited by a moderator:

Singh

Phat Cat
Super Mod
Joined
Feb 23, 2009
Messages
20,311
Likes
8,403
Country flag
MoD clears joint amphibious exercise at US base near China

MoD clears joint amphibious exercise at US base near China

A year after the Defence Ministry backed out of a military exercise at a US base near China at the last minute, a go-ahead has been given for a joint amphibious exercise at the US Marines base in Okinawa, Japan. The war game, which will involve senior officers of the Indian Navy and Army is scheduled to start later this week and will continue till October.

The same exercise, under the Habu Nag series of war games, was cancelled at the final stage in 2009 when 12 officers who had been earmarked were sent back to their formations days before they were scheduled to depart. While no reason was given for the last minute pull-out, regional sensitivities were thought to be behind the move. Okinawa is located close to China and has a significant US presence where several military bases are concentrated.

The island has also been in the news recently for frequent spotting of Chinese naval vessels, including submarines by Japanese self-defence forces. A Japanese white paper on defence has also raised a red flag over the increasing operations by the Chinese Navy near the Okinawa island.

India is sending a 14-member delegation for the Habu Nag exercise that will consist of officers from the Indian Navy and Army. The exercise has been described as "very unique" by a US government official who said that there aren't many marine forces across the world that carry out such operations.

This also brings out the increasing military exercises that are being carried out by Indian forces with their US counterparts. A US official said that India is conducting more exercises with American forces than any other nation in the world. While a brigade-level exercise will take place in Alaska next month where 200 army personnel are expected to participate, a special forces exercise is already under way at Belgaum.

However, military relations with China have chilled after the recent denial of a visa to Northern Army Commander Lt Gen BS Jaswal who was to lead a military delegation to Beijing on the grounds that he commanded troops in a "disputed area". Sources say that it is too soon to comment on whether a joint exercise with the Chinese army scheduled for next year will go ahead following this.

MoD clears joint amphibious exercise at US base near China
 

o'conor

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 22, 2010
Messages
22
Likes
0
It will send a stern message to China that if it can come in our backyard in POK then so do we. :emot159:
 
Joined
Feb 16, 2009
Messages
29,797
Likes
48,276
Country flag
TROPEX 2011 - Indian Navy to Exercise Amphibious Capabilities in Tri-Service Wargames

http://www.india-defence.com/reports-5033

2011-02-18 Indian Navy Chief Admiral Nirmal Verma confirmed that the Navy would include amphibious elements to complement other Navy, Army and Air Force elements in the annual joint exercise Tropex-2011.

"TROPEX in terms of involved expenses and platforms is the largest exercise we have. This time we have huge amphibious elements including the participation from Army and the Air Force"

-- Admiral Nirmal Verma

Indian Navy inducted its first amphibious warship INS Jalashwa from US in 2007. The Indian Navy has an Amphibious transport dock of the Austin class, re-christened as INS Jalashwa in service. Besides, it also maintains a fleet of tank landing ships and other smaller vessels.

It currently has no dedicated helicopter carrier in its possession which is a shortcoming as other navies in the world with aspiring blue water navy capabilities have them, the gap formed is hence filled by indian navy by operating the helicopters from its aircraft carrier to carry out amphibious operations along with anti submarine warfare roles.
 

Ray

The Chairman
Professional
Joined
Apr 17, 2009
Messages
43,132
Likes
23,834
Important an exercise to send a message to Pakistan.

It will keep the Pakistan guessing if a land thrust and a sea thrust will complement each other converging on some Pakistani strategic area.

To China, the message will be that India is watching the sealane chokepoints and has a capability to deny the same!!
 

debasree

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 7, 2011
Messages
819
Likes
86
Country flag
great ,hope sarkari babus will not kill the file in its infant stage.
 

p2prada

Senior Member
Joined
May 25, 2009
Messages
10,234
Likes
4,015
This capability is very important. We need the capability to enter any warzone within a short time anywhere in the world in the next 10 years.

I guess this could be built with the American BCT project in mind. Perhaps it will help in the creation of a whole new wing like the USMC in the future.
 

sayareakd

Mod
Joined
Feb 17, 2009
Messages
17,734
Likes
18,951
Country flag
a question to all you guys, since we have already done lot of amphibious landing, are our rifles and other weapons, water proof ???, i just saw these pics in 2009 with sikh soldiers having their INSAS and other weapons in polythene sheet.





 

p2prada

Senior Member
Joined
May 25, 2009
Messages
10,234
Likes
4,015
This article highlights the need for LPDs for the Navy and Army's request for new guns and gear.

The guns are waterproof. The bags are more to do with protecting the gun from rust. I hope you don't believe the guns won't work because of a bit of rain now do you.
 
Last edited:

Known_Unknown

Devil's Advocate
Senior Member
Joined
Apr 21, 2009
Messages
2,626
Likes
1,670
^^Used to happen in the olden days when the gunpowder got wet, and the rifle wouldn't fire, but that was like...150 years ago.
 

Armand2REP

CHINI EXPERT
Senior Member
Joined
Dec 17, 2009
Messages
13,811
Likes
6,734
Country flag
a question to all you guys, since we have already done lot of amphibious landing, are our rifles and other weapons, water proof ???, i just saw these pics in 2009 with sikh soldiers having their INSAS and other weapons in polythene sheet.

Wow... time to get a more water resistant rifle I would say.

With India itching for a true amphibious capability, Mistral will be at the top of the list.
 

Kunal Biswas

Member of the Year 2011
Ambassador
Joined
May 26, 2010
Messages
31,122
Likes
41,042
a question to all you guys, since we have already done lot of amphibious landing, are our rifles and other weapons, water proof ???, i just saw these pics in 2009 with sikh soldiers having their INSAS and other weapons in polythene sheet.

They will be issued AK and other specialized Vehicles will be induced once Marine Brigade is recognized..

5.56mm Rifles are not so safe in salt water or sand..
 

asianobserve

Tihar Jail
Banned
Joined
May 5, 2011
Messages
12,846
Likes
8,556
Country flag
Aside from water resistant rifles, the Indian Defense Ministry should issue camouflaged flotation vests. These orange vests are just ridiculous. This makes the whole landing force a bunch of target ducks in vivid orange. As a background for the use of bright orange in life vests, that color is used to facilitate the sighting of floating survivors. Perhaps this attribute of color orange has no practical use in amphibious assault operations? What do you think?
 

p2prada

Senior Member
Joined
May 25, 2009
Messages
10,234
Likes
4,015
The orange vests are for safety of the soldiers. We don't want one drowning when there are 3000 people involved in the exercise now do we.
 

Sikh_warrior

Professional
Joined
May 18, 2010
Messages
504
Likes
273
a question to all you guys, since we have already done lot of amphibious landing, are our rifles and other weapons, water proof ???, i just saw these pics in 2009 with sikh soldiers having their INSAS and other weapons in polythene sheet.





rehearsing for Invasion of Karachi!
 

Sikh_warrior

Professional
Joined
May 18, 2010
Messages
504
Likes
273
Wow... time to get a more water resistant rifle I would say.

With India itching for a true amphibious capability, Mistral will be at the top of the list.
reminds me of the time when british troops in gulf war 1 & 2 ordered million condoms to protect their rifles!

the initial suppy of condoms put the yank troops wonder what the hell those condoms for!

Anyway, there is no shortage of skill and valour with india troops but need the best of equipment, its the babus who need to get their act together and order the best equipment and hardware the money could buy!
 

Latest Replies

Global Defence

New threads

Articles

Top