The Indian Army is actively preparing for an extensive combat exercise aimed at testing current cutting-edge weapon systems and technologies This exercise called “Tri Shakti Prahar,” serves as a platform to validate new concepts in long-range firepower, battle readiness and force preservation and it will also draw vital lessons from the ongoing Russia-Ukraine Conflict.
The exercise will be held in the Rajasthan Sector and is organised by the 21 Corps, one of the four major strike formations within the 12 lakh-strong Indian Army.
Army Assets Involved
The exercise’s final phase is scheduled for the first half of November and will involve more than 30,000 troops, including T-90 Bhishma (Main Battle Tank), a diverse array of howitzers, attack helicopters, and other military assets. Fighter Jets, Apache Helicopters, Chinook Heavy Lift Helicopters, and various aircraft of the IAF and Indian Navy will also participate.
During the Trishakti Prahar Exercise, several newly inducted weapon systems and technologies will undergo testing Simultaneously, numerous modernisation and technology infusion initiatives are underway to ensure that the Indian Army remains agile and future-ready. Indigenous Solutions and niche technologies are integral to the process.
Features of the Exercise
The exercise will focus on integrated air-land and combined arms operations, rapid mobilisation, deep strike offensive capabilities and precision high-volume strikes supported by intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, along with electronic warfare capabilities. Incorporating the lessons learnt from the war in Ukraine (2022), the Army will emphasise enhanced mobility and effective shoot-and-scoot capabilities. Additionally, the exercise will feature swarm drones and loitering munitions, including Kamikaze Drones
Standoff with China (Ladakh)
The ongoing military standoff with China in Eastern Ladakh, which has entered its fourth year, has prompted the Indian Army to engage in emergency procurements. These include a wide range of niche technologies such as UAVs, drones, and precision-guided munitions. Communication monitoring systems have been acquired to counter drone threats.
Furthermore, the need to prepare for multi-domain wars of longer durations has gained prominence, challenging the earlier assumption that conflicts would be short, intense and swift. The heightened tensions along the 3488km long Line of Actual Control (LAC) have prompted the Indian Army to reposition significant forces and firepower along the frontier of China
Notably, the Indian Army has already sealed deals with worth Rs 6,600 crore in the first three emergency procurements tranches, with another 49 schemes worth Rs 7600 crore inked in the fourth tranche. Furthermore, approximately 34 additional schemes worth Rs 7000 crores are in the final stage of approval.
Lessons from the Ukraine War
The Russia-Ukraine War has underscored the critical need for self-reliance in defence production, technologies, and research and development. The importance of resilient supply chains for military sustenance has also become evident, given the evolving global security landscape
