Indian Army’s Armoured Corps: The Pillar of Mechanized Warfare

Introduction

The Armoured Corps is a crucial component of the Indian Army and is responsible for executing swift and decisive operations during war. Heavily armoured tanks and state-of-the-art combat vehicles are employed by the Armoured Corps as the frontline force in offensive and defensive military operations. Its role is central to defending India’s borders and maintaining operational superiority over likely adversaries.

History and Evolution

The roots of the Armoured Corps were in the British Indian Army, which is said to have achieved mechanized warfare for the first time ever in the First World War. Post-independence, India had inherited a fine cavalry tradition, which once again transformed into contemporary tank warfare. The Armoured Corps has played a crucial role in all major conflicts that were waged by India, notably the Indo-Pakistani Wars of 1947-48, 1965, and 1971, and the Kargil war that took place in 1999.

Function and Importance

The Armoured Corps has the responsibility to:

Shock Action and Rapid Mobility: Tanks give a psychological and physical edge in battle.

Mechanized Warfare: Combating enemy forces with more firepower and armor.

Defensive and Offensive Operations: Defense of the border and counterattacks if needed.

Support to Infantry: Coordination with ground units to conduct combined arms operations.

Organizational Structure

The Armoured Corps consists of several different regiments, each of which is equipped with the latest tanks and combat vehicles. Among the most distinguished regiments are:

The Poona Horse.

45th Cavalry

7th Light Cavalry

Deccan Horse

Scinde Horse

Central Indian Horse

These regiments have a rich historical heritage and have demonstrated unflinching courage in a variety of military battles.

Equipment and Modernization

Indian Armoured Corps has a range of highly sophisticated tanks and armoured fighting vehicles like:

T-90 Bhishma: The backbone of the Indian tank fleet, which has been imported from Russia and customized to Indian conditions.

Arjun MBT (Main Battle Tank): A domestically designed tank with enhanced firepower and armor.

T-72 Ajeya: Older but still an important component of the mechanized strength.

BMP-2 Sarath: Mechanized infantry combat vehicle that provides increased firepower and mobility.

To ensure technological dominance, India is constantly updating its armor forces with new anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs), active protection systems (APS), and enhanced night-fighting capabilities.

Key Operations and Contributions

The Armoured Corps has served a crucial role in numerous wars and military operations, such as:

Battle of Asal Uttar (1965): It was the biggest tank battle in which Indian troops beat the Pakistani Army decisively.

Battle of Longewala (1971): The iconic defense by Indian troops and tanks against a much larger Pakistani tank assault.

Operation Vijay (1999): The deployment of armored forces on the western border during the Kargil conflict.

Training and Elite Institutions

The Armoured Corps Centre and School (ACC&S) in Ahmednagar is the leading training institution for training soldiers and officers in armored warfare. The center is engaged in the development of sophisticated combat techniques, tank operations, and crew management.

Future Prospects

In addition to changing patterns of warfare, the Indian Army is also incorporating artificial intelligence, drone warfare, and high-tech battlefield communications in their armored units. Indigenous programs such as the Arjun Mk-1A and future warfighting platforms are intended to reduce India’s reliance on importation from foreign sources and become more self-reliant in terms of defense production.

Conclusion

The Indian Army’s Armoured Corps is a key combat force in contemporary warfare, striving to provide national defense for India through increased mobility, firepower, and strategic potential. With continuous drives of modernization and technological advancement, the Armoured Corps is the backbone of India’s military strength, ever ready to fight against any challenge in the battlefield.