SOURCE: AFI
On September 9, the Battle Axe Division, the 12th infantry division of the Indian Army, joined hands with the Indian Air Force (IAF) in a meticulously planned Heliborne Operations exercise. This training initiative aimed to refine swift insertion techniques, ultimately enhancing the integration and operational synergy between ground and air forces.
The essence of this collaborative exercise can be distilled into a unique ‘helicopter operation.’ It involves the rapid deployment of personnel or equipment from the Indian Army via Indian Air Force helicopters to specific locations, often for tactical or covert missions requiring precision and efficiency.
This training session followed a series of joint exercises conducted on September 1, where personnel from the Indian Army, Navy, and IAF engaged in helocasting training and a Tri-Services Combat Underwater Diving Exercise in the rugged and high-altitude terrains of Sikkim. The exercise demonstrated the unity of purpose among India’s armed forces, exemplifying their ability to work together seamlessly.
The Trishakti Corps of the Indian Army applauded the success of these exercises, highlighting the demonstrated synergy, jointness, and integration among the branches. These terms, synergy, jointness, and integration, have gained prominence, particularly as India gears up for the theaterisation of its armed forces.
The Indian Armed Forces are preparing for the establishment of Theater Commands, designed to ensure the security of each region within the quadrant of commands. These commands will make the three branches of the military in a given quadrant interoperable and capable of working harmoniously to defend or launch an offensive seamlessly.
This unified training effort aligns with the recent passage of the Inter-Services Organisation (Command, Control & Discipline) Bill in 2023. According to defense officials, this legislation will pave the way for greater integration and jointness among the three Services. It lays a robust foundation for the creation of Joint Structures in the future, further enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the Armed Forces.