The newly-planned IBGs are part of Army chief General Bipin Rawat’s initiatives to reorganise and right-size the operational structure of the force to make it more effective and lethal during wars
New Delhi: With an aim of turning itself into a ‘lean and mean’ force, the Indian Army will carry out war games along the Pakistan border where it will test its new fighting formations known as the integrated battle groups (IBG).
The newly-planned IBGs are part of Army chief General Bipin Rawat’s initiatives to reorganise and right-size the operational structure of the force to make it more effective and lethal during wars.
“We will create test beds for evaluating the IBGs which would be a very lean force comprising six battalions along with elements of air power and artillery for fighting wars during the war games to be held in the coming winter,” senior Army sources told MyNation.
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Before testing the new concept on ground, discussions would be held in the Army headquarters on the implementation of the plan. After this, the IBGs would be put to test during the forthcoming winter war games which would be held along the Pakistan border, according to the sources.
Senior leadership of the force including General Rawat would witness and evaluate the new fighting concept of the force.
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Over the years, the fighting formations include corps, divisions, brigades and then battalions, whereas the new step will see the IBGs headed by major generals coming directly under the corps headquarters.
The IBG, according to plans, would comprise men from almost all departments of the Army, including infantry, artillery, armoured, signals and engineers, and would be able to move swiftly into enemy territory in wars as compared to the existing structure.
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