PHOTOS #3: At Ex Vijayee Bhava

Army Statement: Manoeuvring columns of Indian Army tanks and hovering helicopters in soaring temperatures in the desert terrain of northern Rajasthan near Suratgarh simulated an intense battlefield scenario in the joint Army-IAF exercise Vijayee Bhava as it entered its crucial culmination phase.

The month-long exercise of a simulated battlefield environment involving the Ambala-based Kharga Corps and the air elements of Western Air Command (WAC) was progressively built on from the smallest unit upwards to the entirety of the Corps.

Validating the joint nature of the operations, GOC-in-C, Western Command, Lt Gen SR Ghosh flew in an IAF Jaguar over the large exercise area covering nearly 2,400 sq km. The exercise is aimed at making the force more agile, versatile, lethal, networked and capable of giving victory in war, outlined the Army Commander.

The dynamic process of operations, both offensive and defensive, integrating and validation of concepts of modern warfare that have emerged during the transformation studies of Indian Army, network centricity, testing and evaluation of new equipments are some of the objectives achieved in the exercise.

The exercise aimed at rapid mobilization involved several mechanized operations towards offensive operations. Battlefield transparency and operational plans based on real-time situational awareness was enhanced using intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) inputs from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and satellites.

With air assets to play a decisive role in future battles, the increased air assets of the Army and Air Force were employed in an integrated manner in the exercise. Integration with the Air Force in all stages and employment of airborne and heliborne Special Forces has been a highlight of the Exercise Vijayee Bhava.

The IAF elements involved in the exercise included Mig-29, Mig-21 Bison, Jaguars, IL-76, AN-32, Mi-17 1V, Avro, Chetak and the attack helicopters – Mi-25/35. Offensive Air Defence was integral in the exercise that included interception in enemy territory. Nearly 100 fighter sorties, decimation of advancing armour, round-the-clock readiness for fighters and attack helicopters, mobilization of several ground and airborne air defence assets were undertaken by the IAF. 300 paratroopers and 50 despatchers were air dropped from one IL-76 and six AN-32 transport aircraft in stealthy night operations. The IAF pressed in Mi-17 1V Utility helicopters for special heliborne operations (SHBO), including dropping of Special Forces behind simulated enemy lines.

Exercise Vijayee Bhava draws to a close in mid-May.

Photos Courtesy DPR Defence

20 thoughts on “PHOTOS #3: At Ex Vijayee Bhava”

  1. why is the Army still using T55s, and that too as part of a strike corps. No wonder its tanks are night blind. An army which is looking to get next gen tanks uses still uses ww2 relics.

    CecX Fable & Gas

  2. T 55 are used in anti mine roles, not as front line tanks. Also combat engineers use it not armored corps.

  3. @ Aniket

    Thanks for the correction. However, if T55s are part of a strike group then it should be on par with T72s or T90s. U see PA will know that IA will use T55s to clear mines as a result IA cannot move during night. Imagine the consequences.

    CecX Fable & Gas

  4. pranjal sharma

    can somebody explain to me why commender of all the tanks are out not inside tank. Isn't this expose him to sniper or other fire in real action case.Also infantry is running along with tanks. Isn't it remove whole point of mechanized army so that infantry could move as fast as armored.

  5. pranjal sharma

    can somebody explain to me why commender of all the tanks are out not inside tank. Isn't this expose him to sniper or other fire in real action case.Also infantry is running along with tanks. Isn't it remove whole point of mechanized army so that infantry could move as fast as armored.

  6. Dopes who said T 55 cannot see at night (they could see in night in 1971) just bunch of ruddy civilians just talking for the heck of it

  7. @ Pranjal

    Infact i found many questionable issues looking at these pics.

    1) BMPs are not provided with side skirts ala Strykers to lessen the impact of RPGs. No improvements in terms of targeting or sights visible. This is shocking because every 5th PA infantry man will have an RPG. Also quite glaring when the IA practises similar drills along with US Army.

    2) The MI 24 does not have an IR supresser. All Hinds were supposed to be upgraded but it seems that things have not progressed very well. The MI 24 also does not have a FLIR.

    3) No IA soldiers have body armour on. I dont know what to say!!!!!

    4) The Dhruv/Cheetah and Chetak helis perform a role simililar to that of Bell OH-58 Kiowa of US Army. But none of IA choppers in this case have MMS, TVS, TIS and LRF/D. Being slow and flying low they will be the toast of PA Anza missile. Plus these chopers cant see a thing after dark.

    Can IA really fight after dusk?

    CecX Fable & Gas

  8. @pranjal 8:35.None of Indian Tanks are A/c as yet.In this heat i would not blame anyone who stays outside when he can in 45 degree heat.But,i think in the thick of action or when in vulnerable built up areas it must be all hatches down.The infantry charging along in the open is a lesson from the Israeli-Egyptian wars where the BMP first saw action along with tanks. Egyptian soldiers stayed inside the BMP and fired from inside as the BMPs charged like tanks into the enemy.Nice in theory but was a disaster in reality.The BMPs were simply knocked out as close ranges by the Israelis with AT weapons along with the entire section in it.Since then,it has been seen that the mech soldiers, dismounted at some distance from the objective and fighting under cover of BMPs and Tank fire were far more effective.Spread out they are a dispersed target and they could lay down suppressive fire at enemy anti-tank teams, while the BMPs and tanks give heavier fire.With heli-support this team gets more lethal.

  9. In 2006 Indian Army possessed 715 T-55s, modernized with night-fighting equipment and new fire control systems, out of which around 67 were in reserve.

  10. In 2006 Indian Army possessed 715 T-55s, modernized with night-fighting equipment and new fire control systems, out of which around 67 were in reserve.

  11. pranjal sharma

    thanks for explaining.i just hope when they are exercise it should be as close to realistic scenario as possible with hatch done when they are near to there objective. but yes high temp in rajasthan there action is explainable. any idea how many of these tanks have ERA.

  12. Can anyone comeout any EW stuff used in the exercise and when their is talk of N/W centricity, how does IA plan to achieve it . No visible Signal Detachment the main EW arm of Army.
    Anyone with data on this aspect do share on this post.

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