- Portrayal of Power on the Western Front
By Sangeeta Saxena
New Delhi. 09 March 2024. In what seems like a portrayal of power on the western border for the not-so-friendly western neighbour, Indian Army is organizing Bharat Shakti, the integrated tri-service fire power and manoeuver exercise at Pokharan, Rajasthan on 12th of March . And the most notable, will the presence of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at this show of military strength. It will be 50 minutes of live fire exercise followed by a static equipment display.
In a pre-event press interaction at the national capital Additional Director General, Army Design Bureau, Maj Gen CS Mann briefed the select members of the media on the event and stated that using indigenously manufactured equipment, the demonstration will present real-time integrated multidomain operations of the three services in offensive operations. It will demonstrate the synergy of the Indian Armed Forces in an operational scenario by skillfully utilising their fighting and manoeuvring capabilities. In general, it will also include the creation of a grid for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, aerial platform interdiction and shaping operations, long-range vector firing, mechanised force manoeuvring, and infantry movement in protected mobility vehicles.
Remotely piloted aircraft and drones will monitor the battlefield while Indian Army’s Special Forces, MARCOS of the Indian Navy, and GARUDS of the Indian Air Force infiltrate via all-terrain vehicles and slithering operations. Degradation of targets by long-range vectors and artillery guns will come next.
The Navy will conduct maritime operations for strategic effects, while the Air Force will engage strategic targets in depth to achieve a favourable air situation. Air Defence Weapons and Counter Drones will be used to engage enemy air forces after the Army conducts simultaneous tactical operations to occupy a position. Ultimately, infantry will take up mobile defence, showcasing their ability to destroy enemy armour with both fire and manoeuvre.
The activities of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force are being integrated with the elements of India’s Cyber and Multi Domain Operations capability. As the terrain of the desert will not be compatible to Navy, the force will exercise somewhere in the seas and their movement will be projected digitally.By showcasing high synergy, multi-service, and multi-domain capability, this exercise would illustrate inter-service synergy. Naval equipment of relevance will be on display as part of the Static Display.
A wide range of technology domains, including 3D printed bunkers, operational logistics, mobility, and training simulators, as well as aircraft, helicopters, torpedoes, unmanned aerial systems and counter-unmanned aerial systems, AI/Autonomous Sys/Robotics, armament, ammunition, and communication systems, will be included in the demonstration.
LCA Tejas, ALH Mk-IV, Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), Light Weight Torpedo, Autonomous Cargo Carrying Aerial Vehicle, Mobile Anti Drone System, T90 Tanks, BMP-II, Artillery Platforms like Dhanush, Sharang, K9 Vajra & Pinaka, Swathi Weapon Locating Radar, UAV Launched Precision Guided Munition, Quick Reaction Fighting Vehicles, and Drones of various kinds, including Logistic Drones, etc. are some of the major weapons and equipment that will be demonstrated.
The main components of the static display will be standalone devices that are not allowed to be included in the demonstration. Additionally, it will feature equipment that might be shared by the Fire and Manoeuvre Demonstration but whose technical specifications and capabilities are limited to being displayed in a static display. The static display will also include significant and important items that have been locally produced to replace imports.
Communications is the most crucial component of Tri-Services integration. Thus, the smooth integration of Tri-Service organisations and services-specific Information and Communications Technology (ICT) networks is a demonstration of jointness in Tri-Services communication. Another Tri-Service integration tool on display is the Indigenous Geographical Information System for Tri-Services (IGIST). This military geographic information system is an enterprise tool that offers air navigation charts, hydrographic maps, and topographical maps along with analytical and operational planning features. Another software programme for managing and strategically planning the defence spectrum is called eTarang. A range of capabilities in the space and cyber domains will also be displayed.
The current state of affairs worldwide is turbulent, and the importance of national interests and the necessity of Atmanirbharta have been sharply highlighted by recent conflicts. The first casualty of any global conflict, as witnessed in the past few years, is supply chain disruption. Thus, minimising reliance on international supply chains is essential to being self-reliant, particularly when it comes to urgent and quickly-moving spare parts. Particular efforts have also been made in these areas, A variety of imported platforms now feature native content, such as weapons systems, armoured fighting vehicles, guns, ships, aircraft, and platforms.
Ammunition availability has a significant impact on the nation’s ability to fight a war for an extended period of time. The government of India’s historic “Manufacturing of Ammunition for Indian Army by Indian Industry” initiative marked the beginning of indigenous ammunition manufacturing, which is now beginning to show real results. Our nation now has a very strong ammunition manufacturing ecosystem thanks to our persistent engagement with DPSUs and industry. As a result, 154 of the 175 ammunition items in our inventory are now being sourced from domestic suppliers.
In the Indian context, coordinated joint operations will be critical. The goal of the Live Fire and Manoeuvre Demonstration is to highlight Tri Services’ operational capabilities to counter any threat by utilising local resources and their capacity to engage in combat in the face of international upheavals. On being asked whether this was a showcase of the Integrated Battle Groups (IBG), he denied and stated that IBG was a small part and this was complete ecosystem showcase.
The media interaction was in the presence of senior officers including the Deputy Chief of Army Staff (CD&S) Lt. Gen JB Chaudhary.
