Press brief: future of war fare
February 1, 2017 | Expert Insights
On 27 Jan 2017, Synergia Forum hosted Air Chief Marshal Fali Major (retd.), PVSM, AVSM, SC, VSM. To an elite audience comprising serving and retired servicemen, bureaucrats, ambassadors, academicians and corporate personnel, the former Air Chief articulated on the Future of Warfare.
The Generations of War, created by William S Lind and commissioned by the US government, was briefly alluded to. The 1st Generation refers to the use of massed armies like in the Mahabharata – more often the side with the larger army won. The 2nd Generation commenced with the musket, went on to include the breach-loading rifle, the machine gun and the artillery guns – herein fire-power more than manpower determined the outcome of war. The 1nd World War, with trench warfare and mass casualties reflects the 2nd Generation. In the 3rd Generation, maneuver perhaps more than manpower and firepower became the determining factor of victory in war. Maneuvers, executed by mechanized forces, by air forces and navies have the potential to dislocate the enemy and secure remarkable victories. After learning from the writings of the British Captain BH Liddle Hart, during the 2nd World War, it was actually German generals like Erwin Rommel, Heinz Gubernia and Eric Von Manstein, who became the practitioners of 3rd Generation warfare.
India achieved independence in1947and only thereafter have wars shaped her destiny. There is now more awareness that Military power forms only one part of national security and there is a need for India to develop comprehensive national power, to earn a rightful place in the comity of nations. Our challenge is more profound, because Pakistan, in our immediate proximity has been a dangerous neighbor, with whom we have fought at least three wars. We should remember the adage of international relations that we can choose our friends but not our neighbors.
In the last decade, the mission, training and profile of Indian armed forces has evolved to encompass total national security. At this juncture, India has two potential adversaries; one is predictable and proactive while the other is unpredictable and passive, as of now. While the first is at best a short-term threat, we need to be more concerned about the latter.
Synergia Foundation brought out that it was worthy of remembering that 20 years after the 1st World War, in which 17 million people were killed, the world was confronted with the 2nd World War, in which 60 million people were killed. Rational men and women do not seek war but more often than not, rational people are confronted with war. In times of peace it is prudent to remain prepared for war.