Gag (Jalandhar), May 12
Exercise Vajra Shakti, the first field exercise held by the Army after adopting its new doctrine, has revealed a perceptible shift in the deployment and use of defensive formations and an increasing role for the special forces in spearheading offensives.

Re-designated as ‘‘Pivot Corps’’ certain defensive formations, also referred to as holding formations, will continue with their primary task of maintaining a defensive posture against the enemy, but will now have the additional responsibility of using their assets to launch pre-emptive offensives. This would be done to neutralise the enemy in a particular sector or open a window of opportunity for dedicated strike formations to launch a major offensive.

It is after about 20 years that a new battle strategy has been evolved. When Gen Krishna Rao was the Army Chief from 1981-83, an exercise, Dijvijay, had been conducted to test the concept of massing strike formations and advancing deep into enemy territory to capture strategic targets. This concept, revolving around armoured and mechanised columns, culminated with Exercise Brasstacks during the tenure of Gen K Sundarji from 1986 to 1987.

The Army had by then, three strike corps — 1, 2 and 21— who had their given areas of operation and trained for carrying out offensive manoeuvres.

Of the 13 corps in the Army, 10 are classified as defensive formations, even though they have significant offensive potential. In addition to two or three divisions, a corps also has several independent infantry, armoured and artillery brigades. It is these assets which primarily offer the option of forming ‘‘battle groups’’ for offensive operations. Other assets from the divisions can also be made available.

The new concept has blurred the existing distinction between a strike corps and a holding corps. During his interaction with mediapersons at the exercise location here, Chief of the Army Staff, Gen J J Singh, said that the new doctrine revolved around flexibility in the deployment of formations and was not rigid about the corps' structure and role.

‘‘They have assigned roles, which are offensive as well as defensive and the doctrine does not spell them out in detail. The decision making has been left to theatre commanders, depending upon their assessment and evaluation of the situation,’’ he said.

The offensive potential available with a corps can be mustered from a proactive assault on the enemy while dedicated strike elements deploy and form-up for a major offensive. According to Brig Sanjeev Madhok, a mechanised brigade commander, these assets can be mobilised and deployed much faster as they are stationed closer to their designated area of operations than the strike corps which are based in places as far off as Mathura and Bhopal.

Brigadier Madhok said that part of the assets of a ‘‘Pivot Corps’’ could be used to lead an offensive in a particular sector. These assets could also be used to engage the enemy in one sector to enable the strike corps to be employed elsewhere, surprising and unsettling the enemy and thereby achieving tactical advantage.