Page 6 - Lesson 10.xps

Module - IV Role and Equipment used by the Armed Forces

Indian Armed Forces :
Weapons and War Equip- Hand Held Thermal Imager (HHTI) and Battle Field Surveillance Radars
ment and Modernisation (BFSR) The HHTI is used to detect enemy troops at 1.5 kms and vehicles up to 3
kms. It is very effective being used on the Line of Control where it is used for detecting
terrorists and enemy troop intrusions. The BFSR can be used for detecting enemy
movement for a distance upto 18 kms.

Note
Activity 10.1

i) Watch the gutsy queen of battle 'the infantry' in action.
https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lnco_ZOUrvo

ii) Watch the video to understand the personal weapons carried by the infantry
soldier.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cf_G4Yot2tg

10.1.1 Armoured Corps

In ancient times as well as till the later part of the medieval period, a sizeable number
of troops of major armies used to fight on horses as part of the Cavalry force. The
Cavalry, while it gave speed and manoeuvrability to the troops, also exposed them to
the dangers of enemy cannons and other weapons against whom they had little personal
protection.

The tanks, which they now use, were introduced to cater to an arm of soldiers who
could fire on well entrenched enemies and give them the shock effect before the
infantryman charged with his bayonet. In modern times these armoured tanks have

replaced the horses. The armoured tanks are capable of heavy fire power, quicker
mobility and manoeuvrability. They are employed to destroy enemy tanks, blow up
bunkers and churn the target area by over running the objective.

They give close support to the infantry which normally follows behind the tanks in the
last few hundred meters before the final assault on the objective. Armoured tanks,
though being quick and offensive, cannot hold ground like the infantry. Night vision
capabilities have made the tanks more versatile and lethal. The Armoured tanks in
battle are a great source of fear for the opponents.

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MILITARY STUDIES