Modernisation of Indian Army Infantry

[Fire and groove]

The structure of their Combined Arms Brigade ( medium and heavy only) suggests that these are meant to be highly maneuverable and firepower centric . But this structure has it's constraints when we are talking about employing them against india in the himalayas . The terrain suits for armoured warfare in Certain Places like spanggur gap and depsang plains but there is little space to maneuver . armoured and mechanised warfare is all about out maneuvering , out flanking and running over your enemy's defences . But due to the limited space available it is not possible for large Brigade sized formations to out maneuver indian defences which have been dug in pretty well and that too in a limited space with heavy concentration of indian troops per square mile of land . So whatever they will want to do by employing their Heavy and Medium CABGs , we can safely assume that their maneuvering capability won't be a big problem thanks to lack of depth of the areas suitable for mechanised warfare. The other factor besides maneuvering is firepower . heavy and medium CABGs are essentially firepower centric and use it to soften up, weaken and overcome enemy defences rather than using massed infantry that the chinese used before in the wars in Korea ( indian army used a balanced mix of heavy firepower and massed infantry to overcome pakistani positions in kargil because we were not permitted to cross the LoC to outflank their defences ) . Our current structure for armoured brigades is very integrated with all combat arms being present in the brigade and in fact rivals the chinese structure for Heavy CABGS except for the fact that we don't have rocket artillery at brigade level .

To add to this an armoured Chinese offensive runs the risk of a brutal counter attack from Indian mechanised and armoured formations. Sino-Indian conflicts are largely going to be centered around Infantry, artillery, air power and a few key armour-intensive axis of advance at best. It really boils down to application more than technology, even in SEAD/DEAD operations. Ultimately however whosoever wins air supremacy wins the war, provided it goes that long.

 

[Fire and groove]

Chinese scientists work on hypersonic missile that can hit moving car
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/militar ... moving-car
17 May 2022

* Chinese scientists work on hypersonic missile that can hit moving car
* Researchers say their breakthroughs will achieve split second pinpoint accuracy over long distances
* ‘Important progress’ has been made towards 2025 deadline to come up with solutions to the missile technology’s challenges

I have serious doubts about hypersonic missles frankly.

 

[Angel of War]

To add to this an armoured Chinese offensive runs the risk of a brutal counter attack from Indian mechanised and armoured formations. Sino-Indian conflicts are largely going to be centered around Infantry, artillery, air power and a few key armour-intensive axis of advance at best. It really boils down to application more than technology, even in SEAD/DEAD operations. Ultimately however whosoever wins air supremacy wins the war, provided it goes that long.

Very true , good assessment .

 

[Dark Sorrow]

I have serious doubts about hypersonic missles frankly.

I feel that hypersoic missile are currently effective only against static (fixed) large that also when fired directly on them. AD systems we have should be able to intercept them at-least Akash SAM which can intercept basaltic missile that are also in hyper-sonic speeds in terminal phase.

 

[Angel of War]

I feel that hypersoic missile are currently effective only against static (fixed) large that also when fired directly on them. AD systems we have should be able to intercept them at-least Akash SAM which can intercept basaltic missile that are also in hyper-sonic speeds in terminal phase.

hypersonic tech has a come a long way , the russian zircon missile is an anti ship hypersonic missile , since it plays the anti ship role it is obvious that it can hit moving targets, plus all missiles have onboard computers that are designed to solve real-time positional error problems. I don't find any proof that akash can Intercept ballisitic missiles by the way . It lacks the altitude and range to do that . it's design resembles the SA 6 so going by aerodynamics it is more suitable for intercepting aircraft than ballistic missiles . That role is filled by S400 and reportedly MRSAM/LRSAM . The phase 1 BMD shield is also ready for deployment .

 

[Angel of War]

I have serious doubts about hypersonic missles frankly.

Hypersonic missiles are a safer and more practical bet for the future than Rail Guns .

 

[rkhanna]

hypersonic tech has a come a long way , the russian zircon missile is an anti ship hypersonic missile , since it plays the anti ship role it is obvious that it can hit moving targets, plus all missiles have onboard computers that are designed to solve real-time positional error problems. I don't find any proof that akash can Intercept ballisitic missiles by the way . It lacks the altitude and range to do that . it's design resembles the SA 6 so going by aerodynamics it is more suitable for intercepting aircraft than ballistic missiles . That role is filled by S400 and reportedly MRSAM/LRSAM . The phase 1 BMD shield is also ready for deployment .

A SAM system intercepting a hypersonic ordnance will always always have the limitation of reaction time. There was math on a simulation of brahmos vs a Burke class DDG and in a saturation attack the opfor win probability was 90+%

 

[Angel of War]

A SAM system intercepting a hypersonic ordnance will always always have the limitation of reaction time. There was math on a simulation of brahmos vs a Burke class DDG and in a saturation attack the opfor win probability was 90+%

tbh , I believe that the only way DDG and FFG patrols can defend themselves against Hypersonic ashms is Hi Powered Lasers

 

[SUPERPOWER]

How does our infantry match up to this?

I'm concerned about the integral artillery firepower of their heavy combined arms brigades.Armoured 120mm mortars,MBRL,3x nine gun SP artillery batteries per arty battalion.How do our armour and infantry match up to this?
@rkhanna ,@Hellfire ,@Angel of War ,@Aditya Ballal ,@Fire and groove ,@abingdonboy and others.

We are no match to chinese....What all we have is our brave hearts who are willing to fight for the nation..

 

[NotASussyBoi]

We are no match to chinese....What all we have is our brave hearts who are willing to fight for the nation..

hello this is Dr.Kumar,it seems you have not eaten your daily dose of copium and hopium

 

[Love Charger]

We are no match to chinese....What all we have is our brave hearts who are willing to fight for the nation..

Eber heard of dizapam , take 1 tablet please

 

[Angel of War]

We are no match to chinese....What all we have is our brave hearts who are willing to fight for the nation..

Ok sir as you say

 

[rkhanna]

tbh , I believe that the only way DDG and FFG patrols can defend themselves against Hypersonic ashms is Hi Powered Lasers

Still limited to the Radar system its slaved too. If the radar cannot track and lock in time the lazer will be a moot point but yes theoretically Lazers are your best bet.

IMO Hypersonic missle engagement will be most effective from airborne platforms carrying Lazers.

 

[rkhanna]

We are no match to chinese....What all we have is our brave hearts who are willing to fight for the nation..

Jokes aside. Within our defensive frame work. Land border and the Indian Ocean Rim we have significant superiority

 

[Blank]

India to ink 'repeat order' deal for 73,000 SiG 716 rifles from the US

In February 2019, 72,400 SiG 716 rifles of 7.62 x 51mm calibre were contracted from SIG Sauer Inc, USA, under government's 'Buy (Global) category', through fast track procedure.

theprint.in

 

[Automatic Kalashnikov]

 

[Aditya Ballal]

Models

 

[AUSTERLITZ]

India to ink 'repeat order' deal for 73,000 SiG 716 rifles from the US

In February 2019, 72,400 SiG 716 rifles of 7.62 x 51mm calibre were contracted from SIG Sauer Inc, USA, under government's 'Buy (Global) category', through fast track procedure.

theprint.in

Acc to this Army has equipped 2 companies out of 4 in all infantry battalions with SIG 716.Thats roughly 200 Sigs per battalion for 340 infantry battalions(excluding paras,RR,Arifles and mechanized infantry).
340x 200 =68,000
Army procured 66,000 out of first batch so just short.
Another 73,000 will cover the other 2 companies plus the small shortfall.

So its official,all our 340 infantry battalions will have SIG716 and Negev Combo going forward.
Pros-
-Will outperform and outrange both chinese and pakistani rifles significantly in mountains and flat terrain.We will win long range engagements easily over 5.8 qbz and ak-56.
-Common round with our new LMG and likely DMR as well.
-Future proof against enemy body armour.(Big plus)
-Fits with IA marksmanship tradition rather than spray and pray style.

Cons-
-We risk being outgunned and swamped in close quarter engagements by enemy assault rifles.
-Major logistics issue where half the battalion(riflemen) will have 7.62x51 and rest will have different calibre.
-The big question is can army sustain 150,000 battle rifles with magnifying scopes(even low mag) permanently.Without scopes this is pointless as you wont use your range advantage.
-Is a bad rifle for urban combat(which IA doesnt expect in mountains to be fair),but also for mountaintop assaults.
-Ammo carrying capacity is 66% of other options.
-Are reliability issues solved?Really or being hushed under the carpet?

 

[Fire and groove]

India to ink 'repeat order' deal for 73,000 SiG 716 rifles from the US

In February 2019, 72,400 SiG 716 rifles of 7.62 x 51mm calibre were contracted from SIG Sauer Inc, USA, under government's 'Buy (Global) category', through fast track procedure.

theprint.in

Acc to this Army has equipped 2 companies out of 4 in all infantry battalions with SIG 716.Thats roughly 200 Sigs per battalion for 340 infantry battalions(excluding paras,RR,Arifles and mechanized infantry).
340x 200 =68,000
Army procured 66,000 out of first batch so just short.
Another 73,000 will cover the other 2 companies plus the small shortfall.

So its official,all our 340 infantry battalions will have SIG716 and Negev Combo going forward.
Pros-
-Will outperform and outrange both chinese and pakistani rifles significantly in mountains and flat terrain.We will win long range engagements easily over 5.8 qbz and ak-56.
-Common round with our new LMG and likely DMR as well.
-Future proof against enemy body armour.(Big plus)
-Fits with IA marksmanship tradition rather than spray and pray style.

Cons-
-We risk being outgunned and swamped in close quarter engagements by enemy assault rifles.
-Major logistics issue where half the battalion(riflemen) will have 7.62x51 and rest will have different calibre.
-The big question is can army sustain 150,000 battle rifles with magnifying scopes(even low mag) permanently.Without scopes this is pointless as you wont use your range advantage.
-Is a bad rifle for urban combat(which IA doesnt expect in mountains to be fair),but also for mountaintop assaults.
-Ammo carrying capacity is 66% of other options.
-Are reliability issues solved?Really or being hushed under the carpet?

Having just seen the Tonbo VX optic, i think it would be an excellent choice, but i'm still worried about mainstreaming a battle rifle. Ultimately the infantry's job is to fix the enemy and either pick them off from advantageous positions (now that we outrange our counterparts) or close in and destroy, but the infantry is inevitably expected to secure the battlespace at some point of the operation, and that means CQB. I just hope the infantry starts prioritizing recoil management in training.

 

[AUSTERLITZ]

US army conception of its coming INFANTRY BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM.(IBCT)
FYI,us army has 3 types -cavalry/stryker combat brigade,infantry combat brigade and armoured combat brigade.

The above conception is interesting - particularly whole group is air mobile ,the use of light vehicles and Mobile protected firepower pseudo tank and UAVs.Add to these light/ultra light howitzers.