Introduction
- The field army always aims to train for cutting edge combat readiness. However, achieving the required level of training faces several challenges; like manpower, time, cost, realism, training infrastructure etc.
- Realistic training requires a realistic ‘enemy’ that is fully enabled and stands a fair chance of ‘winning’ every contest. However, traditional training is constrained and the enemy is represented notionally by ‘Umpires’, by few troops, few pyrotechnics and possibly rattlers (which too have almost vanished). There is a stark lack of a capable opponent who fights out every contest. This absence of ‘enemy’ places a severe handicap for realistic combat training, resulting in ‘Blue always the winner’. These measures of depicting enemy are very inadequate and are akin to a boxer training only with on punching bag and never with an opponent. On the other hand, it is not feasible to deliver lethal ammunition on troops under training. Hence, opposing forces continue to train without the lethal impact of the weapons, means and tactics of either side.