Jaipur, May 13 (TNS): Keeping Pakistan in mind, the Indian army tested in the desert terrain of Rajasthan the military concept of ‘Air Cavalry’ that was used by the US Army to locate and assault enemy ground forces during the Vietnam War, Indian media reported on Sunday.
To enhance its defence capabilities, Indian Army tested the concept under which weaponised helicopters carry out combined action against the enemy in coordination with tanks and mechanised ground forces.
This being done by the Indian Army, with an eye on Pakistan, which is focusing on strengthening its combative air assets by procuring attack helicopters.
This is a new concept for the Indian Army and it is aimed at reshaping land battle by defeating the enemy by offensive punch from the air in coordination with tanks on the ground.
“In the recently held offensive exercise ‘Vijay Prahar’ in Mahajan firing ranges near Suratgarh, the concept of ‘Air Cavalry’ was tried by the South Western command,” defence spokesperson Lt Col Manish Ojha told PTI.
The concept was implemented after a detailed deliberation, sand-model discussions and war gaming.
In normal battle scenario, attack helicopters are called in on requirement basis by forces moving on the ground to launch an attack where the ground forces are not able to neutralise the target due to any reason, including difficult terrain.
Under the ‘Air Cavalry’ concept, attack helicopters are fully integrated with tanks and mechanised ground forces.
A fleet of armed helicopters simultaneously flies in air and performs a number of tasks, including troop insertion in forward areas, on the spot aerial recce, launching attacks and it proves more powerful and a good speed in the action is achieved.
“This requires a very high degree of precision, coordination and continuous upgradation. It saves time and energy,” another senior officer of the SW command said.
“The forces achieve more flexibility and fluidity in an operation and multitasking can be performed more quickly, swiftly and effectively and the ground commanders can act decisively, boldly and offensively,” the officer said.
Under this kind of arrangement, attack helicopters can engage targets in the shortest possible time and the mission can be accomplished in a very flexible and effective manner.
This concept can be executed in different kind of terrains depending upon the feasibility.
Courtesy: Times of India
