Pak Army's mass mobilization strategy

[CriticalThought]

First of all I want to note my own lack of knowledge of the terrain along the LoC. Also, my intention is to raise the topic and via this forum make sure relevant people are thinking about it.

As far as I know, the mountainous terrain along the LoC does not lend itself to mass mobilization of armor and infantry. If the Pak army is serious about freeing Kashmir at some point in the future, it needs a plan for mass mobilization. To me, the most optimal way is through air drops. This means having a large fleet of cargo aircraft and regular practice of air drops involving both infantry AND armor. Especially, I am unaware of any exercise by Pak army where air drops of armor have been practiced.

Moving away from LoC, let us discuss how such a maneuvor would unfold in practice. Air superiority will be a must, along with complete clearance of enemy's air defence. This will be followed by the actual drop.

The situations where such a technique could be employed are:

1. Completely unexpected flanking/surrounding of the enemy from behind, or from the sides. This will be beneficial in multiple theatres: the plains of Punjab, deserts of Thar and Cholistan, LoC, and the rugged mountains of Afghanistan.

2. Avoiding areas of high radioactivity. In case the Nasr comes into play in response to an Indian cold start, such a maneuvor would be highly beneficial to get own troops across radioactive areas.

In short, air mobilization is an extremely useful tool in the general's belt and I would like to see our army being capable of employing it as and when needed.

EDIT: After seeing multiple posters making the mistake, I need to point out this thread is about developing future capability rather than an analysis of current situation.

 

[PakGuns]

-_____- the kids these days

 

[Signalian]

There is no airborne/air-assault infantry formation in PA except SF.

 

[GR!FF!N]

I wonder if PAF has enough Cargo Aircraft for such Operation. No of Aircraft is most important aspect here.

 

[CriticalThought]

I think the recent interest in transport helis and their indigenous MRO could mean they are looking at a 'kind of' QRF involving mainly infantry transported through helis. This could accompany light weight Al-Khalids with a high top speed and attack helis. Such a nimble, agile force could pack a real punch once air defences have been cleared. In the future maybe we will see an entire air borne strike corps. Hoping for the best (or maybe too much...)

 

[Jugger]

I dont think PAF has the capabilities or the number of planes to air drop considerable number of troops behind enemy lines.
Even to consider such an option, PAF first needs to have complete air superiority.
So this hypothetical scenario does not hold much merit.
Pakistan should avoid all possible confrontation along the LOC & IB at all costs.

 

[Khan_patriot]

First of all I want to note my own lack of knowledge of the terrain along the LoC. Also, my intention is to raise the topic and via this forum make sure relevant people are thinking about it.

As far as I know, the mountainous terrain along the LoC does not lend itself to mass mobilization of armor and infantry. If the Pak army is serious about freeing Kashmir at some point in the future, it needs a plan for mass mobilization. To me, the most optimal way is through air drops. This means having a large fleet of cargo aircraft and regular practice of air drops involving both infantry AND armor. Especially, I am unaware of any exercise by Pak army where air drops of armor have been practiced.

Moving away from LoC, let us discuss how such a maneuvor would unfold in practice. Air superiority will be a must, along with complete clearance of enemy's air defence. This will be followed by the actual drop.

The situations where such a technique could be employed are:

1. Completely unexpected flanking/surrounding of the enemy from behind, or from the sides. This will be beneficial in multiple theatres: the plains of Punjab, deserts of Thar and Cholistan, LoC, and the rugged mountains of Afghanistan.

2. Avoiding areas of high radioactivity. In case the Nasr comes into play in response to an Indian cold start, such a maneuvor would be highly beneficial to get own troops across radioactive areas.

In short, air mobilization is an extremely useful tool in the general's belt and I would like to see our army being capable of employing it as and when needed.

EDIT: After seeing multiple posters making the mistake, I need to point out this thread is about developing future capability rather than an analysis of current situation.

It might sound good I theory but it's really hard to accomplish in practice, the logistics alobe are beyond our capabilities presently and even in the near future. Airdrops not viable due to advancements in air defence systems. The age of massive airdrops over hostile territory has gone. The only viable option for an aerial insertion is air assault that too for specialised troops.

 

[CriticalThought]

It might sound good I theory but it's really hard to accomplish in practice, the logistics alobe are beyond our capabilities presently and even in the near future. Airdrops not viable due to advancements in air defence systems. The age of massive airdrops over hostile territory has gone. The only viable option for an aerial insertion is air assault that too for specialised troops.

What about the western front? I count Afghanistan as hostile. We have had a clash in Torkham. Depending on how much Indian goading they get, the possibility of conflict is not remote.

And in the east, let's not forget about a two pronged attack by China and Pakistan. Such a scenario could potentially result in a certain area being cleared of air defences.

 

[Deepika Maheshwari]

War never happens in one front. If you attempt attacking Kashmir, you will find Indian warship shelling and Indian cruise missiles hitting Gwadar which is actually quite near to Indian naval base in Okha. Will you risk losing your Game Changer to 'free' Kashmiris? I doubt it. Interestingly, India is busy developing 600+KM cruise missile Brahmos with Russia. This happened after India signed MTCR.

 

[Signalian]

I dont think PAF has the capabilities or the number of planes to air drop considerable number of troops behind enemy lines.
Even to consider such an option, PAF first needs to have complete air superiority.
So this hypothetical scenario does not hold much merit.
Pakistan should avoid all possible confrontation along the LOC & IB at all costs.

It might sound good I theory but it's really hard to accomplish in practice, the logistics alobe are beyond our capabilities presently and even in the near future. Airdrops not viable due to advancements in air defence systems. The age of massive airdrops over hostile territory has gone. The only viable option for an aerial insertion is air assault that too for specialised troops.

Not entirely true for air superiority as well as Air Defence.

There are two airstrips in pakistan located very close to LOC, Muzaffarabad and Rawalakot. Transport Aircraft dont need to fly hundreds of miles into India for Para drop. They need to fly a few miles over LOC, para drop behind enemy lines and fly back. They can get PAF escorts too.

The capacity of both airstrips needs to be seen, if its capable to undertake such operations in future.

C-130 is capable of landing and taking off from un-prepared/hastily prepared strips. If in any case, enemy takes out prepared runways, SSW has the capability to prepare new runways at multiple locations near the border or LOC. The PAF Survey section along with Army Aviation identifies such locations in peace time to be prepared in war if necessary.

 

[FlyingAce]

In case of Para Drop, NO-6 Squadron can come handy with their C130s as they are based out of PAF Base Nur Khan, As far as i know Muzaffarabad airstrip was used back in 2005 Earthquake & after that multiple times Airforce C130s did do Touch n Gos on that particular airstrip...

 

[Khan_patriot]

What about the western front? I count Afghanistan as hostile. We have had a clash in Torkham. Depending on how much Indian goading they get, the possibility of conflict is not remote.

And in the east, let's not forget about a two pronged attack by China and Pakistan. Such a scenario could potentially result in a certain area being cleared of air defences.

Afghanistan is a relatively more viable theatre for airborne operations but that in itself would cause a plethora of problems and complications. A two pronged sinopak attack is even more likely and would probably warrant US intervention and their assorted AD systems which would limit such operations even more.

 

[CriticalThought]

In case of Para Drop, NO-6 Squadron can come handy with their C130s as they are based out of PAF Base Nur Khan, As far as i know Muzaffarabad airstrip was used back in 2005 Earthquake & after that multiple times Airforce C130s did do Touch n Gos on that particular airstrip...

It would be nice if the para drop element is included in regular army exercises. What would be ultra cool is to see them practicing air drops with Al-Khalids and other heavy armor.

 

[FlyingAce]

SSG does Paradrops using Airforce C130s just few miles out of Kamra Airbase, haven't seen Infantry Bois doing paradrops out of C130s, but Yes it will be a Sight to see Al-Khalids & other Heavy armors being Paradropped at FOBs...

 

[CriticalThought]

Afghanistan is a relatively more viable theatre for airborne operations but that in itself would cause a plethora of problems and complications. A two pronged sinopak attack is even more likely and would probably warrant US intervention and their assorted AD systems which would limit such operations even more.

I agree. As I said in the OP, this is a tool and it would be nice if we could develop our ability to wield it.

Regarding the sinopak attack, it would probably be pre-synchronized and completely unexpected. In such a scenario, we could potentially mobilize before Uncle Sam could respond. Again, I agree we are dealing with hypotheticals here.

Another scenario is the need for PA to give support in Saudi Arabia/Qatar or even Turkey.

In the end, acquiring the fleet of aircraft needed to make this happen is remote. But developing the capability to perform the maneuver through exercises is important. In some of the more unlikely scenarios I listed above, the aircrafts could potentially be provided by allies.