Infantry is the major arm of the Indian Army and the arm of close combat. Its task is to close in with the enemy, physically assault and capture ground. It also mans borders and prevents aggression within the country.
The chapter describes foot soldiers as the troops who have traditionally led and captured land in enemy territory and defended territorial boundaries. Infantry is heavily committed to Counter Insurgency and Counter Terrorist Operations.
- Personal weapons: Assault Rifle, Sten Machine Carbine, 9mm Pistol and Hand Grenades are listed for individual soldiers.
- 5.56mm Light Machine Gun: Automatic; effective up to 700 m and has a higher rate of fire than an assault rifle.
- AK 203: New assault rifle being introduced to replace the INSAS weapon system.
- 84 mm Rocket Launcher: Used against tanks, bunkers and vehicles; also used for illumination and smoke screens.
- 51 mm Mortar: Fires high explosive, illumination and smoke bombs.
- 7.62 mm Medium Machine Gun: Effective distance 1800 m; 600–1000 rounds per minute.
- 30 mm Automatic Grenade Launcher: Suited to enemies in the open; can fire up to 2300 m.
- 7.62 mm Dragunov Sniper Rifle: Effective range 800 m; used against individual enemy targets.
- 81 mm Mortars: Area weapon for high explosives, smoke and illumination; effective range 5000 m.
- ATGM: Anti Tank Guided Missiles with a range of up to four kilometres, described as accurate and effective against tanks.
- HHTI / BFSR: HHTI detects troops up to 1.5 km and vehicles up to 3 km; BFSR detects enemy movement up to 18 km.
- Close with the enemy.
- Physically assault the enemy.
- Capture ground and prevent aggression on own territory.
- Undertake counter-insurgency and counter-terrorist operations as required.
Textbook illustration: Pages 2–6 show the infantry weapons and equipment figures, including assault rifles, hand grenade, machine guns, mortars, ATGM and surveillance equipment.
Infantry is central to close combat because it physically assaults and captures ground and has major commitments in the operations identified in the chapter.
Armoured Corps uses tanks to provide heavy fire power, quicker mobility and manoeuvrability. Mechanised Infantry carries infantry close to battle in armoured vehicles. Artillery provides heavy bombardment to soften enemy resistance before and during assault.
Earlier cavalry used horses to gain speed and manoeuvrability but had little personal protection against enemy weapons. Tanks replaced horses in modern times. They can destroy enemy tanks, blow up bunkers and overrun objectives. They give close support to infantry, which normally follows behind the tanks during the final assault. Tanks are quick and offensive but, unlike infantry, cannot hold ground. Night vision makes them more versatile and lethal.
The textbook records that the introduction of tanks at Zoji La Pass in the 1948 war changed the course of the battle and gave victory to the Indian Army. It lists T-72 and T-90 tanks, the indigenously built MBT Arjun and the Bridge Laying Tank. T-90 tanks are described as upgraded versions of T-72 with greater mobility, fire power and lethality. MBT Arjun has automatic target locating, tracking and destruction features and superior armour protection than the Russian T-90s. The Bridge Laying Tank lays bridges over obstacle-ridden terrain so tanks, troops and logistic transport can cross; the 20-metre indigenously made Kartik bridge is highlighted.
- Armoured transport: Infantry is carried in Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFV) or Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC).
- Move with tanks: Mechanised Infantry follows tanks and reaches battle quickly while keeping soldiers safe and fresh.
- Dismount: Troops leave the vehicles and fight as infantry when required.
- Close with the enemy: They manoeuvre to destroy or capture the enemy, repel attacks by fire, conduct close combat or counter attack.
- Continue fire support: BMPs deliver infantry up to the objective and then provide fire support from a flank. The chapter states that the BMP-2 is in service and an IFV can float in water and cross water obstacles.
- Preparatory bombardment: Heavy bombardment is carried out to unsettle a well-entrenched enemy and soften the target before the assault.
- Major artillery contribution: Some preparatory bombardment is done by the Air Force, while the majority is left to Artillery.
- Targeting: Artillery fires at concentration areas, logistic hubs and forward localities.
- Fire cover: It softens resistance, keeps the enemy’s head down and supports infantry and armoured troops.
- Assault: It assists own troops in launching assaults with minimum casualty. The chapter cites Operation Vijay as an example of artillery’s heavy effect on enemy defences.
Main artillery guns listed are 120 mm Mortars, 105 mm Indian Field Gun, 155 mm Bofors Gun, 130 mm Field Artillery Gun and 155 mm “Dhanush”. Weapon Locating Radars locate enemy artillery guns and mortars so that own artillery can engage them; the textbook calls this “counter bombardment”. UAVs collect intelligence and conduct recce, while LORROS locates and identifies enemy troop and vehicle movement.
The chapter groups these as combat support arms. Combat arms lead the assault, while combat support arms help ensure victory through fire power, logistics and technical assistance.
Engineers ensure mobility, counter mobility and survivability during war. Their tasks include laying tracks, helipads, airstrips and bridges; arranging water sources; laying and breaching mines; and constructing field defences. They can also demolish bridges and create obstacles to delay the enemy and cut the logistic chain of assaulting troops. Major engineer equipment and bridges named in the textbook include AM-50, PMS, Bridge Laying Tank, Girder Bridge, Bailey Bridge and Pontoon Bridge.
AAD protects vital static installations such as nuclear plants, air bases and radar sites from enemy air threat. It also protects Indian air space from enemy aircraft and missiles. Resources named include Shilka, L-70 Gun, Kwadrat, Strella, IGLA Missiles, ZU-23 mm Guns, Tangushka and OSA AK Surface-to-Air Missiles.
- Recce of inhospitable or unknown terrain.
- Casualty evacuation.
- Ferrying soldiers and supplies to locations that need stocking, especially when heavy snowfall closes road communications.
- Search and destroy operations.
The corps operates in deserts, plains, forests, high mountains and the Siachin glacier. Its main helicopters listed are Dhruv and Cheetah.
The Corps of Signals is described as the backbone of the Army’s communication setup. It provides secure communication for sensitive information, operates and maintains the Army Wide Area Network (AWAN), protects against cyber threats and conducts electronic warfare. Communication enables commanders to receive information from forward locations, issue instructions and orders, and relay the progress of battle to higher commanders.
Why it matters: Together, these support arms provide mobility, air defence, aviation support and secure communications needed by combat arms during war.
The Indian Navy conducts active operations during war and undertakes humanitarian assistance and disaster relief during peace. It safeguards sea lanes of communication and supports trade transported by sea. The chapter states that 95% of total trade is transported by sea. The Navy also keeps seas and oceans safe from pirates and can transport troops, fire power and logistics to deal with situations in neighbouring countries, as illustrated by the 1988 Maldives operation.
| Type | Key Role / Description | Textbook Detail |
|---|
| Aircraft Carrier | Acts as a floating airbase; aircraft can take off and land while the ship is at sea. | INS Vikramaditya can carry up to 34 fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters; MIG 29K is the main fighter aircraft aboard. |
| Attack Submarine | Can sail underwater and attack other submarines, surface ships and merchant vessels; may operate alone, in groups or protect other ships. | Textbook states 15 attack submarines: 14 conventional and one nuclear submarine. |
| Destroyer | Fast, versatile, long-endurance warship used to escort bigger ships and conduct anti-submarine, anti-aircraft and anti-surface warfare. | INS Kochi is listed as a destroyer class ship. |
| Frigate | Smaller than destroyers; protects warships and merchant marine ships and can perform anti-submarine, anti-aircraft and anti-surface roles. | The chapter states India has 15 frigates. |
| Corvette | Swift, manoeuvrable and lightly armed; smaller than a frigate. | Usually considered the smallest vessel to be called a proper warship; India has 22. |
| Patrol Vessel | Border protection, anti-smuggling, anti-piracy and rescue operations. | Used for maritime protection and rescue roles. |
| Amphibious Warfare Ship | Deploys ground troops during an amphibious assault. | Textbook states India has 10. |
| Minesweeper | Clears mines in water and makes waterways safe for shipping and movement of own warships. | Small naval warship designed for mine clearance. |
Different naval ships are designed for different missions, from sea-based air power and underwater attack to escort, maritime protection, amphibious deployment and mine clearance.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) was raised on 08 October 1932 as a supplementary support for the British Air Force and was called the Royal Indian Air Force. After India became a Republic in 1950, it was rechristened the Indian Air Force.
Since 1950 the IAF has participated in four wars with Pakistan and one with China. The chapter highlights Operation Vijay, Operation Meghdoot, Operation Cactus and Pawan. It also contributes manpower and aircraft to United Nations Peace Keeping Missions.
The inventory includes fighters, transport aircraft, helicopters, air defence missiles and radars. Fighters listed are MiG-21 BISON, Jaguar A, MiG-27, MiG-29, Mirage-2000, SU-30 MKI and Tejas, with different roles stated in the chapter.
Transport aircraft listed are Avro, Embraer, Boeing 737-200, AN-32, IL-76, C-17 and C-130J. Helicopters listed are Cheetah, Chetak, MI-17 V5, MI-26, MI-25/MI-35 and ALH Mark III.
- Fighter capability: The chapter lists several fighter types for different operational roles.
- Transport capability: Aircraft move paratroopers, freight, passengers and other loads according to their stated capacities.
- Helicopter support: Helicopters perform roles such as casualty evacuation and movement of personnel or loads as described.
- Modernisation: The chapter states that the IAF is modernising at an accelerated pace.
Textbook examples: Tejas is highlighted for contributing towards self-sufficiency in defence equipment production. The intext answer states that Cheetahs are used for Search and Rescue (SAR) operations and casualty evacuation.
The chapter concludes that knowing the roles and equipment of the Army, Navy and Air Force is important for understanding how the Armed Forces achieve their desired aim.