HOW RELEVANT IS LAND WARFARE TODAY …?
Colonel Dr K Prabhakar Rao, VETERAN
BE ( mech ), M E ( mech ) IISc,PhD ( mech Engineering),PhD( Pol science )
PhD ( Strategic studies)USA,
INTRODUCTION
Some debate is going on this topic and those who are occupying some top positions in armed forces keep expressing themselves occasionally. The question is how relevant is
land warfare today? In view of remote controlled warfare ,consisting of short range, long range missiles,ICBM, some with nuclear war heads and advanced air craft systems that can attack deep into territory , will use of land forces in operation diminish in future and how relevant will it be? These are discussed.
NEED OF ARMED FORCES
Basically ,armed forces are maintained by any country for following purposes:-
1.To Instil fear in the minds of enemies
2 .To build confidence in the-
country men on the capability of political ruling leaders and administration that rules country.
3. In tune with neighbours and their policies.
4, Historic requirements
5.Geographical needs
From time immemorial , the purpose of armies was to …
1. Invade other countries like neighbours, oppressors from even distant lands when it was needed
2. Defend own country from invading enemies
3. To maintain law and order in own country when required by civil govt.In military ruled countries army calls the shots
4. To help country’s administration in natural calamities
COMPOSITION OF ARMIES
From ancient times, warfare was basically land and sea based. Mobility aspects and the means of mobility influence structure of army very greatly.From time immemorial, man learnt to ride and tame horses and thus horse based cavalry emerged. Horses are effective, sturdy, have high mobility and armed forces thus had cavalry element apart from foot soldiers in all countries,
Chariots that were drawn by single ,dual or multiple horses were also part of armed forces, particularly in ancient times. elephants were also part of armed forces in ancient and medieval times. Camels were also part of armed forces in countries that had camels owing to desert terrain.
The major component of army was infantry in all countries. The physical strength, stamina , qualities of valour of the men played dominant role.
EFFECT OF GUN POWDER AND FIRE ARMS
Once gun powder was invented , warfare went through great changes. Very soon matchlocks, and muzzle loader shoulder fired guns became prominent and soon these fire arms became major weapons. Soldiers wielding such fire arms became part of all armies .Infantry men wielded such fire arms apart from swords ,lances spears and bayonets.
Muzzle loading cannons that were mounted on turrets on fort bastions or wheel mounted carriages drawn by mules or horses also became part of armies in defence and offensive operations. such equipment like cannons static and mounted guns were organised under separate name as artillery commanded by officers that was part of army.Supporting arm of artillery thus emerged. This was a major supporting arm to Infantry.
We know that Zahiruddin Baber the ruler of Kabul who raided India in 1527 could vanquishDelhi based Indian ruler Ibrahim Lodi at battle of panipat I by using field wheel mounted horse drawn muzzle loaded cannons from many defensive positions on the enemy forces that were taken by surprise by the use of such devastating weapons. In battles. It changed history of India and India was enslaved soon by alien Islamic force. Mughal rule started that ended only in 1857 after sepoy rebellion in the country.Infantry, cavalry and elephants apart from cannon forces played effective role in panipat war i. Soon the cannons and fire arms became part of various armies in the countries revolutionising warfare all over.
EFFECT OF TECHNICAL RENAISSANCE ON ARMIES
Technical renaissance took place mostly in 19 century .Changes in armed forces world wide also remained dormant.Mobility of army was confined to foot soldier and by animal use on the land. With development of steam engine and internal combustion engine in Europe in 19 century pioneered by James watt ( steam engines ) Otto and diesel ( internal combustion engines ) rapid changes took place in armed forces too world wide.Transportation became technically advanced with development of road vehicles powered by petrol , gas and Diesel engines. These developments were rapid. Steam engines opened doors for laying rails across places of long distance over which goods , animals and men could be transported quickly. steam driven road rollers were developed and used for construction of roads and men and materials could be moved faster by steam trains with ease and with better efficiency over long distances.Troops could be easily moved over long distances with mounted cannons and artillery weapons and materials and ammunition also could be easily moved. Transportation vehicles for troops also were developed rapidly and mobility of army personnel improved on roads at all places.
INTRODUCTION OF ARMOURED FIGHTING VEHICLES IN ARMIES AND EFFECTS
Major development towards armed forces was the arrival of armoured fighting vehicles such as Big Willie and small Willie that were developed and deployed during ww I at Flanders. These primitive tanks had tracks facilitating cross country operation with armour protection to the crew including gunner , commander, loader and signal man.these tanks had two or even three short barrelled guns and could fire from both sides and to the front.These tanks also were fitted with machine guns to tackle enemy infantry. Later these tanks were provided with small rotating turret that was also provided with a gun or machine gun against infantry.
The tank made great difference in the battles in ww I and II and much was yet to come between First and second world wars. The tank went through great changes and World War II saw some of these advanced versions that were fielded by America, England, France, USSR and Germany in Europe and African and in Japanese sectors,. These were Shermans, Gen lee, Stuarts, Chaffee, valentines, Renaults, Churchill, Cromwell, Challenger . France used, Somuas, S 35,Char b1 Panzer, T 34 series tanks. Italians used,L 3/33,P26/40,L6/40These tanks were also given to friendly nations. Some of the tanks were also sent to fight advancing Japanese forces and INA In Burma and north east during ww Ii.These were Sherman’s and Stuarts
Apart from tanks, many types of specialist vehicles to assist in warfare were developed and supplied to armies, systems became much advanced.Long range artillery was developed rapidly that also could fire much heavier shells causing higher damage to targets. Now the tanks are produced with higher mobility, higher fire power, greater armour protection, precision target seeking and destruction of targets. Israel has also tested driverless tanks with remote control .
Now the armies became fully occupied with mobile equipment of various type of supporting vehicles ,specialist vehicles for recovery and repair, medical support, radar equipment carriers, cranes etc .The armies were no more cavalry based with Infantry units .With induction of such large scale general purpose vehicles , tanks ,tank transporters and specialist vehicles in armies, the armies had largely developed with introduction of supporting services and facilities.Such large scale induction of tanks and vehicles, supporting arms and services became essential for effective functioning of army in defence and offensive operations. This also resulted in reduction of teeth to tail ratio That has been a cause of worry for commanders of armies world wide.
EFFECT OF AIR CRAFTS ,HELICOPTERS, MISSILES
With arrival of aircrafts on the scene with invention by wright brothers, the progress was rapid after ww I and in ww II.The air crafts in the form of bombers and fighters were used with great success in all sectors by every nation. Artillery also had advanced and anti aircraft guns to deal with attacking aircrafts. Today we have highly advanced fighter aircrafts with precision target seeking and destruction abilities.In modern warfare , tanks are the most potential targets for attack helicopters and aircrafts and missiles . Many tanks were destroyed by attacking aircraft in American Iraq wars that took place in Middle East.Apart from winged aircrafts of Air Force, helicopters are added to army for infantry support as attack helicopters and gunships inspite of their vulnerability due to speed limitations ,protection and lower flying levels.
The modern armies are equipped with missile forces in addition to advanced artillery systems that could seek identified static targets like enemy concentration areas, military head quarters, work shops, ordnance depots, ammunition and fuel dumps, railway yards, at much greater distances successfully. This has reduced burden on aircraft bombing missions on such targets.Ability to destroy such target seeking missiles in flight are also developed and are in use by armies.
In the latest situation, threat is increasing from drones that are being used for recce and also for bombing enemy targets. These drones when used in few numbers are no doubt soft targets .In latest methodology, swarming enemy targets by multiples of drones is fore seen and in such situation,destroying all drones at a time is considered difficult.The greatest advantage of a drone is that it can be operated remotely and well controlled more over it can take off at any place and does not require a run way .
Thus , we see that armies that were once based on foot soldiers and cavalry became formidable fighting organisations throughout the world with general purpose and specialist vehicles, tanks, rocket battery vehicles,armoured personnel carriers, infantry combat vehicles, recovery vehicles,cranes, crawler tractors etc apart from artillery systems, rockets and missiles, telecommunication equipment, medical equipment, fire arms of various calibres, rocket launchers, recoilless guns, Yet some mountain divisions have mules and horses to carry mobile artillery equipment where transport can not be used.
With acquisition of intercontinent
ballistic missiles with nuclear war heads that can reach targets across continents, warfare has greatly changed with relevant changes in organisation, tactics in wars in defence and offensive operations too.
LANDING OPERATIONS
Coming to naval forces , it is obvious that their role is limited to operations where operations are conducted over Seas. in certain cases , Infantry forces accompany in ships where landing operations have to be conducted at enemies land. We sent our armed forces to the tiny island nations in Arabian Sea to overcome mutinies and restore rule of law. Tactics are different for such operations as these tiny nations are not military powers. When we recall the Normandy landings in ww II On D day at German coast ,land forces such as American Infantry/ Marines played great role. During falkland operations against Argentinian army , by the British in recent times , we know that the British naval ships were sent to the sector with Infantry and navy men and the enemy surrendered in short time and major crisis and escalation was averted.We thus know that mid sea battles are fully organised and conducted by Navy itself unless some occupation of a land is foreseen soon after overcoming naval force of enemy.
EXAMPLE. OF VIETNAM WAR, UKRANIAN WAR AND ISRAEL HAMAS WAR.
Coming to the past Vietnam war in which USA was fully involved along with French armed forces, we know that the US airforce, bombarded Vietnam enemy targets with heavy bombings from sky and yet could not stop the defeat. Forces of France were defeated on ground and Americas too withdrew. Americans although had plenty of nuclear weapons ,these were never used throughout the war and conventional war was conducted .
Coming to the latest on going Russian Ukrainian war, in Europe, we see that the war is conventional where tanks, armoured personnel carriers, and field artillery and tactical missiles have been used and Russia although did some Sabre rattling about its nuclear arsenal , threat of nuclear weapons to Ukraine has receded. We know that in this war ,major European nations like England,France and USA are supporting Ukraine that gets all hardware , tanks , guns , missiles etc for the battle and Ukraine has been stiffly resisting Russian onslaught and even pushed back Russian army in many sectors with many Russian casualties. thus ,we see that land forces are playing great role in this war .Russia too is employing land army in this battle along with supporting arms and air forces and missile components.
in the present Israel —Hamas confrontation in Middle East sector , Israel has launched massive land operation against Hamas on Gaza Strip. Tanks ,missiles and artillery are being used causing devastation and destruction in occupied Gaza territory causing many deaths of civilians and military personnel and suffering apart from destruction of buildings, hospitals , residential buildings and means of transportation. too.Though Israel has ample nuclear weapons up the sleeve, conventional war is going on with air support and missile forces.Israel has not resorted to sabre rattling about nuclear war heads in their nuclear arsenal.
INDIAN SITUATION
Coming to Indian scenario, we know that our country is surrounded by hostile forces and we have no land borders in the south with any other country .Sri Lanka a small Island nation is at hands distance separated by sea. Lanka is not a serious threat although in past the Island nation was greatly troubled by internal strife by LTTE who were fighting for TAMIL EELAM under
Prabhakaran.The Island nation is stable now. We fought three major wars ( 1948:1965,1971 )and one Kargil operation against Pakistan ( 1999) at high altitudes against Pak militants supported by Pakistani army over issue of Kashmir. A major war with china in 1962 was fought over border issue after Chinese aggression . This land war was conducted in Himalayan-mountains completely by Land forces and Air Force was not used for air attacks . Situation has changed now. China has deployed missiles against India and in any future confrontation ,these could be used against our forces, military infrastructure production centres ,and our cities too. in such scenario, we will be compelled to retaliate in similar way ,even using latest strike aircrafts .China is known to be fielding armour-fighting vehicles in mountainous ranges including high altitudes and India too is prepared to counter in similar way by inducting light tanks. Medium and even heavy tanks would be used where terrain is suitable. Tanks also could be air lifted to locations when needed.Thus, land operations are always inevitable in future too although the missiles and long range aircrafts are available to destroy targets at higher distances.
Our borders with Pakistan in west are plains with agricultural lands, streams and rivers flowing into Arabian Sea and in 1965 and 1971, armour played dominant role .In 1965, pak armour that invaded our western borders with massive armour strength with Patton tanks were crushed to pulp by Indian armour on all fronts.In 1971 , India had to fight two front war. One against Pakistan on western border and in Jammu sector under northern command simultaneously fighting in East Pakistan that became Bangladesh later after the surrender of entire Pakistan army in east. Air Force was used freely on both fronts in conventional land war .
India has not joined any international groups like NATO to take up military activities such as wars outside India and it is believed that same policy would continue in future too unless situation demands such requirement. Our army’s basic role is to protect our borders and prevent enemies to grab our territory. it is very unlikely that our army would be called to take up aggressive operation against neighbours unless situation demands.We will not be the first to take up such activities.
CONCLUSION.
In view of above discussion and factors, it is opined that land operations by our armed forces including use of air and missile forces are going to stay whenever we have to deal with enemy on all fronts.In special cases ,naval forces also will be used when enemy uses navy against us on southern borders.It is concluded that land operations by Indian armed forces will continue with vigor and gusto and same will be true for all countries world wide. Having nuclear weapons and large number of various missiles does not make land operations redundant . Conventional land operations will continue to deal with enemy by occupying his lands, Invariably , the nuclear war heads are there more as deterrent than real operational threat.Victory in any operation is achieved when enemy areas are occupied by our land forces that are fighting the enemy. the same argument also equally applies to other countries in the world.
Bibliography
1.Lt Gen J S Bajwa,Land warfare and its future Avatar , courtesy Uday India, Dt oct 15,2022
2.Indian army turns to ancient texts to prepare for wars of the future, Economic times ,Sep 30,2023
3.Lt Gen Deependra Singh. Hooda , Future war won’t be fought only on borders,will impact every citizen, Economic times Sept 26, 2023
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