Pravash Kumar Mishra
Increasingly the counter-insurgency operations are throwing up new tactical and strategic challenges for the commanders and the political leadership as they seek to de-centralise tactical decisions to ground commanders and provide the forces technology rich, stand-off weaponry.
At present due to various technical developments in COIN, particularly in weapons, ammunitions, field uniform, air cover, surveillance/technical/ communication equipments, anti-ballistic, anti-mine and anti-blast all terrain vehicles, the strategies and tactics in counter insurgency operations in Kashmir, Manipur, Meghalaya, Assam and all Maoist affected states require a change.
The impact of such developments also depends upon the new tactics adopted by various militant groups (own and foreign mercenaries) operating in India including the Maoists. The Maoist insurgency had spread to 20 of the 28 states. As of now, 182 districts are disturbed by Maoists, 83 partially and 35 badly. The whole of J&K and the entire north-east keep Army and paramilitary forces occupied in countering various Indian and foreign militant groups. At present, the uses of helicopters are mostly for casualty evacuation, troop mobility and other logistics roles. Air Force, BSF, civil helicopters and UAVs are now deployed in support of all COIN.
The tactics now adopted in a COIN is, maximum de-centralisation of control, leaving the command to field commanders to take decisions. Maoist insurgency is a pan-Indian problem. As a strategy, CRPF along with BSF, RPF, CISF, ITBP, NSG, state IRB/commando forces and SSB are deployed to contain insurgency. The strategy of insurgents varies from state to state excluding Maoists’, which is common in all the affected states. The new training tactics adopted by the COIN troops include hostage crisis, rescuing citizens abducted by Maoists, providing proximate security to VIPs on visit to infested areas, resolving suicide attacks, counter terrorist operations, casualty evacuation by air and quick reaction in providing logistics and reliable communication to the spot. Additional 15 Nishant Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and about 50 OFB Kolkata made counter-land mine vehicles had been provided to field areas to protect troops from hidden mines.
First time the drone camera was used at Saharanpur on 27 July 2014 to keep riot affected areas under surveillance. Economic, political factors and nexus between Maoists-politicians-police-bureaucrats and businesspersons provided tactical gain to insurgency. Indirect finance provided to insurgents gave them superior technology, arms and modern equipments and latest communication devices.
Latest Modern Equipments Now
Used By Coin Troops:
TATA Mine Protected Vehicle (MPV)
TATA Motors Defence Solutions produce the Mine Protected Vehicle (MPV), for the military, paramilitary and police forces. The vehicle is deployed in counter-insurgency operations in Kashmir, north-east and all LWE mine-prone areas.
MPV measures 6.58m in length, 2.60m in width, Gross Vehicle Weight 14.3 tonnes and carrying a maximum load of 1,400 kilograms.
The Level III ballistic protection provides substantive protection against 7.62 mm guns, ball ammunition and AK-47 rounds fired from 10 m range at 90° angle of attack. The vehicle survives a 14-kg TNT blast force under hull and 21 kg TNT explosion under any wheel. MPV can even withstand against IEDs and AP mines.
Explosive detection kit
Looking like a little pocket sized cigar box gives a mighty punch in the fight against terrorism. India’s DRDO develops this EDK used by bomb detection squads and COIN forces.
A few drops of four reagents contained in four vials can detect explosives based on TNT, RDX, dynamite, and black powder within minutes with no more than three to 5 mgs of the suspected sample. It does not require field calibration, power or peripheral devices.
Besides the wallet sized disposable kit for covert and anti-insurgency operations, it is also available in vanity sized field cases for bomb squads.
Corner Shot Rifle
India’s DRDO Pune has developed a corner-shot rifle for the Special Forces that provide greater safety during counter-insurgency operations as its user is not in the direct line of fire.
The lightweight rifle is made of composite materials and is multi-calibre, capable of firing both 5.56 and 7.62 rounds.
Made available to Special Forces like the National Security Guard (NSG), Indian Army and police units.
Suitcase satcom terminals
Suitcase-based satcom sets with readily deployable Ku-Band terminals for unlimited ranges had been acquired. Vehicles, mules or jawans can carry them to jungle areas where line-of-sight communication is not possible. Each quick-to-air terminal includes two-three suitcases to hold an antenna, dish and other equipment.
Security forces are deployed in
remote thick forest areas dominated by various militant groups and LWEs.
There are no roads to penetrate to Abuzmand, Dandakaranya and Saranda forests, existing roads are mined
and to be avoided. Jawans have to trek long to operate in these inhospitable terrain, many of which get
cut-off during monsoon. These suitcase version satcom terminals give the
best of communication in any counter insurgency operation.
Light-Weight Bullet
Proof Jacket
High grade, level-3 Kevlar bulletproof vests. Withstand a 7.62-calibre bullet fired from 10m from an AK-47.
The 2.2kg vest costs Rs 35,000 to Rs 2 lakhs a piece.
Used by CRPF and NSG in COIN against own militant groups in Kashmir, Manipur & all Maoist-affected states. Commandos in COIN need body armour and designers are looking to balance protection, comfort and weight. Extremely lightweight nano-materials that could revolutionise body armour are several years away from being realised. Nanotechnology one day may be able to provide with a suit of armour that fits like a t-shirt.
Fabrique Nationale D’herstal F-2000 Assault Rifle
A 5.56×45 mm NATO calibre, Belgium-made rifle. The 3.5 kg rifle fires 850 rounds per minute with effective range of 500 m. Bull pup design places the magazine behind the trigger, making it easier to manoeuvre and reload.
With a barrel length of 400 mm, and width of 81.3 mm; a height of 259.1 mm the gun is ideal for quick reaction. It uses cartridges like 5.56 mmx45 mm calibre and gas operated ballast with rotating bolts, a rate of fire of 850 rounds/min; and a muzzle velocity 900 m/s.
For Sights, the gun uses 1.6× magnified telescopic sights with a notch back-up sight. Special Protection Group as a quick reaction weapon is using it.
Advanced audio communication set
Wireless headset and receiver allows the commando to talk to other unit members during operations, while his hands are free to work the weapon.
This communication equipment is frequently used in counter insurgency operation against Maoists in 10 to 15 states, CRPF, NSG, SPG and now, Delhi Police are also using it.
X95 Assault Rifle
The X95 is the firearm of the next generation. It was created to deal with modern threats of anti-terror, urban and open area combat. The X95 incorporates advanced technology that allows interchangeability from 5.56 mm ammunition to 9 mm ammunition. This leap in technology allows the fighter to use the same weapon platform for a wide array of scenarios.
The interchangeability can be done with a silencer for all calibres. Ideal weapon used by paramilitary forces particularly BSF and CRPF dealing with counter insurgency operations in all affected states.
X95 Israel Rifle IWI Ltd
Israel Weapon Industries has introduced a new conversion kit for its X95 assault rifle, allowing operators to choose between 5.45 mm, 5.56 mm and 9 mm ammunitions.
The X95 has an effective range of 500 meters in its rifle and carbine configuration and 150 meters in its 9 mm submachine gun mode.
The new kit was tested in extreme conditions including dust, water, heat, and cold for reliability and shooting accuracy.
SVD (Dragunov)
Marksman Sniper rifle of origin Soviet Union used by CRPF and BSF against Maoists and other militants in their counter insurgency operations.
Mauser SP66 sniper rifle (Germany)
Calibres(s): 7.62x51mm
Operation: manual; rotating bolt action
Feed Mechanism: three rounds integral box magazine.
This Sniper Rifle is now used against Maoists in Chhattisgarh, Malkangiri, Dantewada, Kanker, Sukma, Jamui and all affected areas by paramilitary forces particularly CRPF and BSF. It is handy to target the extremists in Maoist-affected areas when they take human shields of civilians. Very accurate in its hit based on short-throw bolt action. It comes with Zeiss Diavari ZA 1.5-6X variable power scope.
Heckler-Koch MSG-90 sniper rifle (Germany)
Calibre: 7.62mm
Operation: Semi-auto, Roller delayed blowback
Barrel: 600 mm
Feed Mechanism: 5 or 20 round detachable box magazines.
The German company introduced MSG-90 sniper rifle. There are no open sights on the MSG-90, and standard 10 x telescope sight fit it with range settings from 100 to 1200 meters. The scope is mounted on the military standard scope rail that allows for various scopes and night vision devices to be mounted interchangeably.
The MSG-90A1 also is equipped with open sights – a typical HK hooded front sight, combined with adjustable rear sights, marked up to 1200 meters. The ejection port is fitted with brass deflector, which allows the gun to be fired from the left shoulder. Otherwise, it is similar to the MSG-90.
This sniper rifle is now a terror to the Maoists. Paramilitary forces are now equipped with it to take the correct target from a distance.
UAVs
The UAVs for COIN missions have become the fastest growing, promising technology markets in the world. The research analyses the complexities involved with UAVs for counter-insurgency – technologies, tactics, operating concepts and its maintenance. India, for its counter insurgency operations is using low altitude UAVs depending upon areas of concern (mountainous or plain or thick forest/jungle), types of threats, operating concept, utilisation of sensors and radio/ communication coverage. It provides aerial surveillance on the target areas. Its endurance depends on the fuel it carries. The UAV flown in LWE areas in Chhattisgarh, Raipur, Dantewada and Gadhchiroli belts can stay aloft for 3/4 hours. The COIN ops commanders with a very short delay, view its video feed on the ground, and frequently, the paramilitary, IRB, state commando operational commanders watching the feed, plan their operations after verifying their targets, the terrain, number of militants and their weapons on move.
Our DRDO UAVs are not going to be able to deal with every surveillance task in LWE; northeast and western border against the extremists, as until now, it cannot take a radar in it
Medium endurance, low-altitude unmanned aerial vehicles have to be provided as an aid to the ground forces in COIN with means to circle over an area of interest up to one day and monitor suspected insurgents in all Maoist-affected states.
Non Lethal Weapons
From July 2011, the BSF has adopted the non-lethal strategy for border domination along the Indo-Bangladesh border. Non-lethal strategy is the use of methods, devices, weapons and munitions explicitly designed and primarily employed to immediately incapacitate targeted criminals, minimising fatalities, permanent injury and undesired damage to property in the target area.
Non-lethal weapons are used in situations where employment of lethal force is prohibited or undesirable, where rules of engagement require minimum casualties or where policy restricts the use of conventional force in any COIN.
Pump Action Gun (PAG)
Shotguns come in a wide variety of sizes, ranging from 5.5 mm bore up to 5 cm bore and in a range of firearm operating mechanisms, including breech loading, single- barrelled, double or combination gun, pump actions, bolt action and lever action, semi- automatic and even fully automatic variants.
The munitions for the gun are Shot 6 and Shot 8 and 12 gauge rubber buckshot.
Taser – An electro-shock weapon that creates neuromuscular incapacitation, which fires small dart like electros, which can be used in urban and village area while dealing with extremists.
FUTURISTIC PLAN FOR ACQUSITION AND MODERNISATION:
Stun lasers
In future, our security, police and paramilitary forces might employ non-lethal “laser dazzlers” to blind and disorient insurgents and terrorists in order to capture them alive and to interrogate them to gain intelligence. This high-tech weapon can be used as a precursor to firing lethal munitions. The development of these “stun” lasers is of course in congruence with the development of highly lethal weapons-grade lasers that can be used on insurgents and militants. Having an effective range of 300 metres, Saber 203 uses a state-of-the-art semiconductor laser specially fitted into an unmodified M-203, 40-mm grenade launcher. Bore sighted for accuracy, the grenade launcher is attached to a standard M-16 combat rifle. The Laser dazzler has the Infrared Camera/Illuminator.
Visible Laser: Laser Dazzler Non-Lethal Laser
XM25 rifle gun
The XM 25 rifle gun is a logical extension of radio and laser-guidance technology. This new weapon was created and developed by Heckler and Koch together with bullet designer Alliant Techsystems. The XM 25 has the ability to fire its ammunition up to 2.3 km and with its 25 mm bullet targeting a militant, even if he is hidden behind the walls or other cover with the help of the gun’s laser sight.
Its 25 mm bullet was designed to explode over the heads of its target and works out as an airburst that seems to have the ability to calculate the distance travelled from the number of rotations that the bullet has taken after leaving the gun’s barrel. These bullets look like small grenades or cannon shells.
Helmet with in-built AC to keep commandos cool
The US army is developing a next generation protective helmet with a built-in air-conditioning system to help security personnel beat the heat in any type of COIN.
The new technology brings relief to the jawan through a powered air-purifying respirator, which consists of a hose connected to the facemask from a blower unit and battery pack hanging off the hip or back.
Faster, Quieter, Safer Helicopters
Paramilitary and state police forces in counter insurgency operations need faster choppers. Medical evacuation units need more speed to reach critical areas of the incident more quickly and to be able to dodge militant’s fire. There is a need for agile, quiet, less detectable rotorcraft. A modified stealth helicopter could be used in anti-Maoist operations in Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh where militants had fired on BSF and Air Force helicopters while evacuating casualties. India can obtain noiseless V-22 Ospreys, which can reach cruise speeds of 250 knots. The technology, which could be used on V-22, employs radar that scans ahead of the hepter to detect any obstacles. It then displays what it sees for pilots to land safely.
Enhanced Combat Helmet
Kevlar and Twaron combat helmets made of ballistic fibers can withstand a direct hit from a 9-mm pistol or even some bomb fragments. The Enhanced Combat Helmet, which the US Army use is capable of stopping a rifle round. It is made of ultra high-molecular-weight polyethylene, a type of thermoplastic, weighs about 3 pounds, the same as the other helmets.
Wearable Batteries
Arotech USA developed the Soldier Wearable Integrated Power Equipment System to eliminate the need to bring along extra power packs. The system uses high-capacity zinc–air and lithium-ion batteries to continuously charge a soldier’s two-way radio, GPS unit, and other devices. Worn in a tactical vest, the thin flexible power source extends missions and reduces battery weight by 30 percent.
X-Ray Bomb & Threat Detection
Flatscan-TPXi security x-rays for threat-detection
Benefits
• Unparalleled image clarity
• Streamlined operation
• Minimum time on target
• Quick and efficient operation
• Fast image assessment
• Lightweight, compact & robust
• Simple and intuitive
• Powerful image analysis
• Real-time, remote-from-site-viewing, for backup
Applications
• Security, police and customs
• Suspect bag and package inspection
• EOD evaluation
• Vehicle inspection
• Counter surveillance sweeps and through wall scanning
The ways the technologies to be used will depend on the kind of scenario to emerge in the field. The present unstable scenario prevailing, is a concern to the country, as few states fail to dominate its areas in its COIN. Internal implications of the failures are too many, like, lack of governance, polarisation of various regions, safety-security of civilians, pro-active militants and no political will. Greater contact with civil/police headquarters, quick movement/ mobility, appreciation of ground actual, awareness of internal situation, free flow of field intelligence and first hand intelligence will defeat terrorism from our country. Brutality in killing police informers by the militants, LWEs expanding their tentacles, growing terrorism in border areas of Pak and Bangladesh and extremism in Kashmir, require tactful handling. To prevent insurgency spreading into new areas and to make it stagnate and ultimately, eradicate it from existing areas, intensive and co-ordinated COIN have to be launched in a manner, which are intelligence based by all affected states. Insurgents should not be allowed to cross state border or international boundary. It has to be the combined effort of the central govt and all the states to adopt the same tactics and strategy utilising all modern technologies to give a big push to counter insurgency operations to get success forcing the new tactics adopted by militants to fail.
No comments:
Post a Comment