![]() The Artillery did a commendable job in face heavy odds and without the massive Artillery Firepower unleashed on the enemy this war could not have been won.īoth World Wars have adequate examples of Engineers, Artillery, Naval bombardments and Air strikes changing the shape of the battlefield and victories were won because of the intervention from these arms of warfare. The Indian Army relied heavily on Artillery Firepower to degrade and dislodge the Pakistani’s from their dug in positions. The massive use of Artillery firepower in determining the outcome of the Kargil war is legendary. However, when the use of the Airstrikes or Missile strikes are taken to destroy the enemy’s capability to even strike and here arms like Infantry and Armour have no role then what will these strikes be called. In the context of a direct combat definitely yes. The question then arises is that ultimately the foot soldier will have to hold the ground, and all these systems are being used to facilitate his movements. This body of troops then automatically fit into the definition of combat arms as they are shaping the outcome of the battlefield with direct intervention. In modern day warfare this combat and shaping of battlefield by direct intervention can be done by Air, Artillery Fire Assaults, Missiles and even Naval Gunfire and Missile attacks. The British Army called Artillery as the Combat Support Arm, although Artillery was at the forefront of battle in those days for reasons best known to them. What then is the definition of combat arms? Combat arms or Fighting arms is the collective name given to a body of troops within the Armed Forces which participate in direct tactical ground combat and shape the outcome of the battle.ĭuring olden times the Infantry, Artillery and Cavalry did most of the fighting determining the outcome of the battle and hence were termed as Combat arms. ![]() The definitions need to change as the concept of Warfare is changing and with the advent of latest technologies this will undergo a further change. ![]() The debate arises from a legacy which is a derivative from the medieval ages. The recent statement by Senior officers of the Military on Combat and Combat Support Arms has brought into public domain a topic which has been hotly debated in the Military sometimes formally but mostly informally.
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