The Indian Army is set to commence a significant Exercise named ‘HimVijay’ in October 2019 in the states of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. This exercise will debut the newly created Integrated Battle Groups (IBG) which comprises around 15,000 soldiers sourced from the 17 Mountain Strike Corps. The purpose of this exercise is to evaluate these groups on their operational viability and logistics in mountain warfare. The Indian Airforce (IAF) will also participate in the exercise contributing airlifting of soldiers and equipment as well as inter-valley transfer. The timing of this exercise coincides with the proposed visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping for the second informal summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Integrated Battle Groups
The Integrated Battle Groups are a part of the comprehensive force transformation that has been kicked off by the Army. These units are brigade-sized agile self-sufficient combat formations designed to quickly respond to and launch strikes against an adversary in the event of conflict. Currently, the Army is in the process of converting its major Corps into these IBGs, although the final number of these groups is yet to be decided.
Each IBG is individually customized based on three T’s – Threat, Terrain, and Task. Soldiers and resources are allocated to each group based on these three categories. With regards to mobilisation, depending upon their location, these groups can be made ready within a timeframe of 12 to 48 hours.
About the 17 Mountain Strike Corps
The creation of the 17 Mountain Strike Corps was approved by the Cabinet Committee of Security in 2013. It was formed with the primary objective of launching offensive operations against adversaries in the northern territory. Also referred to as the Brahmastra Corps, it appears to be China-specific given its strategic placement in close proximity to China. The base of the 17 Mountain Strike Corps is located in Panagarh, West Bengal.
Quick Facts about Exercise HimVijay
| Title | Description |
|---|---|
| Name of Exercise | HimVijay |
| Scheduled Date | October 2019 |
| Location | Arunachal Pradesh and Assam |
| Participating Units | Integrated Battle Groups (IBG) and 17 Mountain Strike Corps |
| Objective of Exercise | To evaluate operational viability and logistics of the IBG in mountain warfare |
Major Reorganization and Force Transformation
The creation of the Integrated Battle Groups marks a significant shift in the Indian Army’s approach towards conflict. This comprehensive force transformation allows for better preparedness and swift response to threats. While the total number of these groups is yet to be defined, this move is part of a broader strategy to ensure India’s national security.