It was almost 107 years back in Sep 1915 when the first prototype tank weighing 14 tons was developed by the UK and was employed a year later in Sept 1916. Though it was of limited use and not very successful initially, a large No of countries saw its potential and therefore, this is how these became main battle winning resource in the World War II.
Conventional employment of tanks looked at open countries for large scale employment. Their employment doctrine and tactics was also streamlined for that environment. Despite development of multiple war fighting platforms the world over, the tanks still continued to retain their primacy in the battlefield though open spaces the world over shrank in substantial manner.
With changed environmental parameters, counties modified their employment philosophy with respect to tanks getting employed even in restrictive terrain. India has majority of its conflict related borders with Pakistan (LOC) and China (LAC) in mountainous region and therefore a new approach to decide on type of tanks alongwith employment philosophy is needed. India already has had substantial experience of tank fighting in plains, dessert, semi-dessert and obstacle ridden sector and specifications of tanks needed are reasonably clear.
The tanks today can be employed even in smaller open areas in High Altitude areas, through the narrow valleys and along narrow approaches. As we build up tunnels to have all weather connectivities with our forward areas, develop our axial and laterals to higher road classifications, the employment options of the tanks will increase manifold.
A brainstorming session was organised in the form of a round table discussion by MRO digest forums in India to dwell on this subject. The following recommendations emerged:
- Restricted Variety: Majority of our tanks are of Soviet origin with limited No of Arjun MBTs despite huge requirement of indigenous tanks for the country. There is also a need to have enhanced focus of this equipment against China which will require light tanks as well. As the road and bridge classifications improve, relatively heavier tanks will be able to be employed in majority of the forward areas on the Chinese border. The current variety of existing tanks and need of one potent light tank will create adversial conditions for training, maintaining and employing such diverse equipment. It was therefore argued that IA should have only two types of tanks, one heavy tank and the other a light tank. Not only this, both of these should be indigenously integrated with the maximum spectrum of support for MRO being provided indigenously.
- Comprehensive Approach: All A vehicles and specialist vehicles must be seen comprehensively while evolving production and employment plans for the tasks. Mechanized infantry vehicles must also be looked at. Large No of tanks, mechanised vehicles, mine breaching vehicles, AERVs etc need to be seen from a single prism due to their integrated employment. May be DGMF model to look at the the base platform could have been a better integrated approach as against current silos having been created . Even after these silos, there is a pressing need to look at our war fighting philosophy afresh and then plan indigenous equipment production comprehensively.
- Tracked vs Wheeled: It is a common and ongoing debate. While some may feel that only tracked vehicles should be utilised for tanks/mechanised infantry but even a wheeled vehicle/platform can do wonders in certain conditions. 14 Ton was recommended as the reference point by a military vehicle specialist upto which an AFV may be amphibious. Vehicles upto 20 tons may be wheeled or tracked and beyond that only tracked.
- Mobility to Support Vehicles: Based on operational philosophy, matching mobility must be planned for combined arms elements and MRO elements to ensure the desired mission reliability under battle conditions. Enemy opposition and terrain friction as obtaining could contribute to such decisions.
- Tank as Special Platforms: There is a need to look at tanks beyond the conventional mind set. In addition to providing protection to its crew, it can add to defence potential to any body of troops/equipment in its vicinity. Not only that, besides carrying the substantial fire power, it can also carry long range surveillance equipment, drones and thus facilitate war fighting in a substantial manner.
And there are many more such related factors. Availability of matching MRO support and logistic support are the key constituents for this platform. Ideally two varieties recommended should not only be economically better to produce but their upgrades as well as replacement should also be equally economical. The tank force so created must factor the collusive threat from China and Pakistan including the technological advancement not only in their tank forces but also in all other fields of weaponry which can be unleashed against our tanks. High quality training, well motivated detachment and integrated employment is the key to success specially when there have been multiple views on performance of this weapon platform in Russia-Ukraine war.
Sanjay Pande
Very Thanks very much sir for the collation of highlights of our discussion. While drafting the GSQR for Tank we may ask for moon every time but we should have only restricted variety which takes care of our Operational requirement and also should not increase burden on maintainers inventory wise.