First let us decide if we want to employ this force for offensive ops or defensive ops. In case one wants to deploy this force for an offensive operation, then a lot of questions pop into ones mind:
1. How far away would be the offensive ops from the launch base/pad? Calc. round trip endurance of our surface combatants and one will figure out that our area of Ops can not be more farthr than the area around Jam Nagar.
2. What protection is in place to protect the amphibious flotilla from sea, undersea, and air attacks of the enemy and leave enough assets in place for regular sea patrol duties?
3. How far inland is the objective from the beach head and does it require a link up with land forces? Is part of pincer movement or an enveloping maneuver to secure a tactical advantage?
3. Or will it be a commando type raid?
4. How would we recover the force once limited objectives are met and retreat back into friendly territory? Would the withdrawal support group be tasked to stay off shore during the entire ops? If so than what would be enemy reaction and how do we protect the covering force??
5. What assets do we have to mount a resupply mission with protection?
I think the above points are just some of the questions that pop up in my mind, for starters, on a classic amphibious attack. With the current resources it is just not possible.
Yes one can launch commando type raids that can tie down a large part of enemy assets for coastal defense and for that you don't need a large force, a battalion of trained SSG(N) will do the job.but beyond that I don't see much happening here.
Let us not compare US Marines with our marines force and get carried away with dreams of Amphibious Operations. Furthermore, if India is gearing up for Amphibious ops, they are doing so for one other reason, to project force in its area of influence, i.e. Maldives and other Indian Ocean Islands etc.
Attacking Pakistan through an amphibious force is fraught with challenges for India as well. Only two nations have launched successful amphibious ops other than US/Allies in WWII/Korea, UK and Argentina. Both were touch and go situations. UK almost lost it and just managed to scrape by. And Argentina launched its ops against 24 Royal Marines in Port Stanley!!
