22/7/2014 Indian Army Revalidates Exercise Sudershan-Revalidation of Cold Start Doctrine

https://web.archive.org/web/20120218163010/http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/papers49/paper4809.html 1/4
Paper no. 4809 10-Dec-2011

INDIAN ARMY EXERCISE SUDERSHAN SHAKTI-
REVALIDATION OF COLD START WAR DOCTRINE
By Dr Subhash Kapila
References: Following Papers of the Author:
Indias New Cold Start War Doctrine Strategically Reviewed
(Paper No. 991 dated 04-05-2004
India Armys New Cold Start War Doctrine Strategically
Reviewed-Part II, Additional Imperatives (Paper No. 1013 dated 01-
06-2004)
Indias Cold Start War Doctrine Revisited ( Paper No. 2293 dated 10-
07-2007
Introductory Observations
Indian Armys Cold Start War Doctrine was publicly unveiled on April
28, 2004 and its detailed analysis stood covered in the first two Papers of
mine quoted above.
Following the publication of these two Papers an avid debate followed in
Pakistan Army strategic circles and think tanks in Pakistan, UK AND
USA.
The Cold Start War Doctrine was a radical departure from Indian Armys
erstwhile operational doctrines which were markedly defensive operations-
centric. As brought out in my Papers referred above the Cold Start War
Doctrine was patterned on the NATOs Air-Land Warfare Doctrine
which envisaged deep-thrust mechanized operations deep into enemy
territory with overwhelming Air Force support.
The other major change in emphasis was that the operational aims of this
new Doctrine were no longer focussed on capture of enemy territory but
on destruction of the enemys war waging capabilities.
Surprisingly, the Indian Government has been taking pains to de-
emphasizing that India does not have any Cold Start War Doctrine and
even made the present Army Chief, General V K Singh to state as such or
words to that effect.
The Indian Government seems to have done so under pressure from the
United States to which Pakistan Army Chief was complaining that he could
not move Pak Army formations to the Afghan border because of Indian
Armys Cold Start War Doctrine.
The reality is whether the Indian Army is made to abjure the term Cold















22/7/2014 Indian Army Revalidates Exercise Sudershan-Revalidation of Cold Start Doctrine
https://web.archive.org/web/20120218163010/http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/papers49/paper4809.html 2/4
Start War Doctrine for political reasons, the series of Strike Corps level
exercises held every year by different Strike Corps were in essence what
Cold Start War Doctrine incorporated, namely, Air-Land War Strategy
of deep thrusts into enemy territory by armored and mechanized
formations battle-prepared to operate even under Nuclear, Biological and
Chemical Warfare threats environment.
Exercise SUDERSHAN CHAKRA which is in its concluding stages
having commenced in end-October 2011 need to be viewed in the above
context. In terms of the South Asian context such operations as have been
gone through are undoubtedly Pakistan Army-centric should it indulge in its
periodic military adventurism against India.
This Paper would therefore focus only on the main features of EX-
STDERSHAN CHAKRA as my above referred Papers already provide
in great detail the Cold Start War Doctrines and the sizeable number of
validation and revalidation exercises that have unceasingly followed I the
last seven years.
EX-SUDERSHAN CHAKRA: The Political Prominence Given
Comparing to the preceding series of validation and revalidation Exercises
of Cold Start War Doctrine, this recent Exercise received political
prominence by the visit of President Pratibha Patil as Supreme
Commander of the Indian Armed Forces.
The Indian Army also requested that a delegation of Members of
Parliament, preferably below the age of forty years also should witness this
significant Exercise to gain first hand experience of Indian Armys
operational doctrines as they would emerge as political decision makers in
the next twenty years.
In her address on conclusion of witnessing the concluding stages of EX-
SUDERSHAN CHAKRA, THE President made the following remarks
The country today is faced with multi-dimensional challenges to our
national security. We need to accordingly equip our forces with state-of art
weaponry and hone our skills through relentless training to deliver the
required response to our adversaries, when the need arises.
Significantly, this was the first ever visit by a President of India to
personally visit and witness large scale Army-Air Force Exercise of such a
massive scale and dimensions.
EX-SUDERSHAN CHAKRA: Salient Features
The Exercise was conducted by Headquarters Southern Command to
validate its Integrated Theatre concept in an Air-Land Battle Scenario.
Also incorporated in this Exercise was Headquarters South Western Air
Command with its front line Air Force squadrons to complement the
sizeable Air Force component required for any deep-thrust warfare.
The Bhopal based 21 Corps as one of the major Strike Corps and
formations under its command including 31 Armored Division participated
in this Exercise
More than 50,0000 troops supported by nearly 300 tanks etc provided
the strike punch along with other formations. toexercise battle maneuvers
as part of the operational war doctrine
The Indian Air Force provided combat aircraft like the SU-30 Mk II.
22/7/2014 Indian Army Revalidates Exercise Sudershan-Revalidation of Cold Start Doctrine
https://web.archive.org/web/20120218163010/http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/papers49/paper4809.html 3/4
MIG 27 and Jaguars. AWACS Aircraft provided Aerial Early Warning
and and surveillance support. Media reports indicate that space-based
assets were also used. The Indian Air Force provided the entire spectrum
of combat, close support and attack helicopters support besides air
assaults and logistics maintenance required for deep thrusts by Army
formations.
Practicing its Integrated Theatre Concept, the Pivot Corps also were
exercised in this Exercise and hence the full dimension of Integrated
Theatre Concept rather than just a Strike Corps Exercise
The magnitude of the Exercise can be gauged not only by the numbers
involved but also the geographical spread extending to 175 km by 150 km
This Exercise was conducted in general area of Barmer.Pokharan and
Jaisalmer in Rajasthan.
Concluding Observations
In an embattled security environment that surrounds India, it is strategically
and militarily important that the Indian Armed Forces maintain a high
standard of war-readiness to successfully overcome the national security
challenges faced by the country. This can only be achieved by relentless
exercising of its war doctrines and operational strategies as has bee done
in EX-SUDERSHAN CHAKRA.
Concomitant on the above is that India cannot afford to have glaring voids
in its operational inventories. In specific relation to Cold Start War
Doctrine the void of 130 plus fighter aircraft is serious and alarming and so
also the rejuvenation of the Artillery which has not seen any modernization
for over 20 years.
Indias war-preparedness cannot be made a hostage of the civilian
bureaucratic processes of North Block and South Block.
The Indian Armed Forces have validated and revalidated its war doctrines
against the Pakistan Army threats, but what is not visible is are comparable
Exercises to counter the China Threat challenge. Neither Indias political
leadership nor Indian Armed Forces dignitaries should shy away from
articulating The China Threat.
It is imperative that the country sees visible signs in the direction of
preparing for countering The China Threat with the same vigor and
sustained focus









22/7/2014 Indian Army Revalidates Exercise Sudershan-Revalidation of Cold Start Doctrine
https://web.archive.org/web/20120218163010/http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/papers49/paper4809.html 4/4

Back to the top
Home | Papers | Notes | Forum | Search | Feedback | Forward | Links
Copyright South Asia Analysis Group
All rights reserved. Permission is given to refer this on-line document for use in research papers and articles,
provided the source and the author's name are acknowledged. Copies may not be duplicated for commercial
purposes.