Page 8 - Lesson 10.xps

Module - IV Role and Equipment used by the Armed Forces

Indian Armed Forces :
Weapons and War Equip- 10.1.2 Mechanised Infantry
ment and Modernisation
Over the decades a need was felt to carry the infantry along with tanks which could
give the offensive forces speed and fire power while keeping the soldiers safe and
fresh to fight. The Mechanised Infantry is a combat arm that has the capability to carry
soldiers on armoured vehicles called Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFV) or Armoured
Note Personnel Carriers (APC) to transport infantry directly into battle. They follow tanks
and dismount the troops who then fight as infantry as and when required.

Their role is to close in with the enemy by manoeuvre, to destroy / capture the enemy,
repel the enemy attack by fire, engage in close combat or counter attack. The troops
move in vehicles called BMPs which provide quick mobility to assaulting troops rapidly
through small arms and indirect fire to deliver the infantry up to the objective and there
after continue to provide fire support from a flank. Currently, Russian made BMP-2
are in service in Mechanised Infantry. IFV can also float in water and cross water
obstacles. It can carry ten personnel including the crew.

ACTIVITY 10.3

Watch Mechanised Infantry in Action and note down important points about it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1Uqbfh7n_E-

Intext Questions 10.1

1. What is the number of soldiers a BMP can carry?

2. Write a short note on 'Main Battle Tank (MBT)'.
3. Write the full forms of ATGM, HHTI, BFSR.

10.1.3 Artillery

To unsettle the well- entrenched enemy and cause destruction to soften the target
before the actual assault by instantly, there is a requirement of carrying out heavy
bombardment. It is called preparatory bombardment. Some portion of this preparatory
bombardment is done by the Air Force. The majority of it is left to the Artillery.
The role of Artillery is to severely deplete the enemy's will to fight through heavy
bombardment. Artillery also fires at the enemy's concentration areas, logistic hubs and
forward localities. They provide fire cover to infantry and armoured troops by softening
enemy's resistance. They keep the enemy's head down and assist our troops in launching
assaults with minimum casualty. In 'Operation Vijay' artillery played a stellar role in
pulverising enemy's defences and causing heavy casualties. The Indian artillery fire
was so intense that the snow and ice on the mountain top turned yellow.

8 8
MILITARY STUDIES