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XVII Corps (India)

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XVII Corps
Indian Army XVII Corps Formation Sign
Active2013 – Present
Country India
Branch Indian Army
RoleMountain Strike Corps
SizeCorps
Part of Eastern Command
Garrison/HQPanagarh
Nickname(s)Brahmastra Corps
Commanders
Current
commander		Lt Gen Yash Ahlawat
AVSM YSM SM
Indian Army Corps (1915 - Present)
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XVI Corps XXI Corps

XVII Corps is the first mountain strike corps of India which has been built as a quick reaction force and as well as counter offensive force against China along LAC. Its headquarters are located at Panagarh in West Bengal under Eastern Command.[1] It is also known as Brahmastra Corps.

History

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Republic of India shares a boundary (LAC) of length 4,057 km[2] with Tibet autonomous region. The two countries still have not resolved their disagreement about where exactly the border lies; specially over two regions – Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh. Intrusion of troops of PLA into Indian territory,[3] construction of watch tower close to the mutually-accepted "border patrolling line" near Burtse,[4] "standardization" of the names of six towns in Arunachal Pradesh[5] (China claims that Arunachal Pradesh is integral part of China) enhanced the tension.

In addition, China has developed a rail network and five fully operational airbases in Tibet Autonomous Region. Key airfields include those at Hoping, Pangta and Kong Ka.[2][6] In Tibet and Yunan, roads are extended over 58,000 km (in 2010)[2] up to the border, at an approximate cost of about $325 billion. As a result of all these buildout of infrastructures, China can mobilize 30 divisions (each with over 15,000 soldiers)[7] aside heading to the LAC within 48 hours. Moreover, about 300,011 PLA troops and six Rapid Reaction Forces are placed at Chengdu.[8]

To reinforce defensive power across the border in Arunachal Pradesh, the Indian Army raised two new infantry divisions (1,260 officers and 35,000 soldiers) at Likapani[9] and Missamari (Assam)[2] in 2009-2010. However PLA outnumbered Indian army near border by three to one.[10]

To overcome the gap, in July 2013, the cabinet committee, under the UPA government, sanctioned the proposal, which had been already approved by Chiefs of Staff Committee or CoSC, a committee composed of the chiefs of Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force, to build the new mountain strike corps over a time span of seven years (12th plan period (2012–17), with a little spillover into the 13th plan if necessary).[11] The corps was planned to be raised with around 90 thousand soldiers and thus Rs 64,678 crore had been sanctioned. Out of this budget, around Rs 39,000 crore[10] had been earmarked for capital expenditure. An additional Rs 19,000 crore was also demanded for further development.

From October 2013, the army started posting key officers in Ranchi, Jharkhand. On January 1, 2014, Major General Raymond Joseph Noronha, the first commander of 17 Corps,[9] raised the flag of this corps for the first time in Ranchi.[12] The corps was relocated from Ranchi to Panagarh in 2019.[13]

17 Corps War Memorial at Panagarh.

Order of Battle (ORBAT)

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The initial plan at the time of raising was to have the corps with two infantry divisions, two independent armoured brigades and artillery, engineer, air defence and aviation brigades. Because of budgetary constraints, the raising was halted in 2018, leaving a truncated force comprising the Corps HQ, one infantry division and specific other combat and combat support elements. The 17 Corps was also expected to have 30 infantry brigades and 2 Para SF brigades.[14]

The Corps consists of -

The Corps also deploy 5 Integrated Battle Groups (IBG) as of 2024.

Integrated Battle Groups

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The concept of Integrated Battle Groups (IBG) was introduced in 2018 by the then Chief of the Army Staff General Bipin Rawat.[19]

The Integrated Battle Groups are Brigade-sized, self-sufficient agile formations commanded by an officer of the rank Major General. The IBGs are meant to transform the overall field formation of the Indian Army. As of July 2019, the new concept of formations has been test-bedded with the IX Corps and were being reorganised based on the basis of feedbacks. The formation of a specific IBG shall depend on three T's – Threat, Terrain and Task. The resources will be allocated based on the same conditions. The formations will be organised so that they can be mobilised within 12-48 hours of notice. The traditional field formation of the Indian Army includes Commands (largest static formation spread across a defined geography) which consists of Corps (largest mobile formation). A Corps typically consists of 3 Divisions which in turn is composed of 3 or more Brigades. This structure is to be replaced by IBG structure. Each IBG, as of 2019, deploys 5,000 troops and includes infantry, armoured, artillery and air defence units. The composition of IBG also depends on its nature – offensive or defensive. While Offensive IBG is to be mobilised instantly and thrust into enemy territory for strike operations, the Defensive IBG will be tasked to hold ground at vulnerable points where enemy action is expected.[20]

In October 2019, the XVII Corps conducted the first edition of Exercise Him Vijay which included three Integrated Battle Groups from the 59 Infantry Division each including 5,000 troops along with a combination of tanks, artillery and other assets. This was the first field implementation of such a formation. The new restructuring will further reduce the 72-hours response time determined in the Cold Start Doctrine to under 24 hours.[21]

As of May 2022, the IBGs were test-bedded by IX Corps and further validated by the XVII Corps. The Army identified these Holding Coprs in the Western Front and the Strike Corps in the Northern/Eastern Front for total 'IBG-isation'. The 'IBG-isation' is being done parallel to the formation of Integrated Theatre Commands to integrate the Armed Forces into larger theatres. The IBGs will replace the traditional Brigades (3,000-3,500 troops) and Divisions (10,000 to 12,000 troops) existing in the Army.[22][23]

As of June 2024, 2 IBGs under 9 Corps and 5 IBGs under 17 Corps has been raised under Phase-1 and 2, respectively. These formations were war-gamed and validated in multiple exercises. The Army HQ had earlier submitted the report on Phase-1 of 'IBG-isation' to the Defence Ministry while the same for Phase 2 is to be submitted before issuing the official Government Sanction Letter (GSL). The original plan was to first carve out 8-10 IBGs (5,000 to 6,000 troops each) initially and then create more over the years. As of now, the Army has 14 Corps (40,000 to 70,000 troops each), with four of them being strike formations.[24]

By November 2024, the Army submitted a draft Government Sanction Letter seeking official approval for the establishment of these IBGs. The issuing of the GSL will imply the approval for the implementation of IBGs. Post approval, the Army aims to have the IBGs operational by 2025.[25][26]

Mascot

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The corps mascot is the Snow leopard, signifying strength, resolve and bravery - traits associated with the predator, with which it shares its geographical habitat.

Exercise

[edit]
Name Date Location Notes, References
Him Vijay October 2019 High Altitude Areas of Arunachal Pradesh along LAC

List of General Officers Commanding

[edit]
Rank Name Appointment Date Left Office Unit of Commission Reference
Lieutenant General Raymond Joseph Noronha 1 January 2014 April 2015 Rajput Regiment [28] [nb 1]
Lalit Kumar Pandey April 2015 2016 The Grenadiers [29]
Rajeev Chopra 2016 2017 Madras Regiment [30]
Sudarshan Shrikant Hasabnis 2017 June 2018 Bombay Sappers [31][32]
Pandala Nagesh Rao June 2018 15 June 2019 Parachute Regiment [33]
Shashank Shekhar Mishra 15 June 2019 June 2020 Kumaon Regiment [34]
Savneet Singh June 2020 June 2021 Garhwal Rifles [35]
Rajinder Dewan 19 June 2021 24 June 2022 Sikh Regiment [36]
VM Bhuvana Krishnan 24 June 2022 30 September 2023 Dogra Regiment [37]
Rajeev Puri 1 October 2023 19 November 2024 Rajput Regiment [38]
Yash Singh Ahlawat 20 November 2024 Incumbent Madras Regiment [39]

Notes

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  1. ^ At the time of raising the corps, General Noronha had not yet picked up the rank of Lieutenant General, which he shortly did after assuming command.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Indian Army Is Fully Ready For A Two-And-A-Half Front War, Says Army Chief General Bipin Rawat". HuffPost. New Delhi. 8 June 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d Pandit, Rajat (8 March 2011). "China has five airbases, extensive rail-road networks in Tibet: Antony". The Times of India. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
  3. ^ WATTS, JAKE MAXWELL (2 May 2013). "Are China and India About to Fight Over Their Border?". The Atlantic. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
  4. ^ Pandit, Rajat (12 September 2015). "Indian, Chinese troops in another face-off in Ladakh". The Times of India. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
  5. ^ Joshua, Anita (19 April 2017). "How to decipher China's answer". The Telegraph (Calcutta), Guwahati Bureau. Guwahati. Archived from the original on November 9, 2017. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
  6. ^ Girdhar, Manish. "PLAAF Deployments in Tibet". Centre for Land Warfare Studies. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
  7. ^ Pandit, Rajat (9 January 2014). "Army kicks off raising new mountain strike corps against China". The Times of India. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
  8. ^ Sen, Sudhi Ranjan (27 February 2015). "Only 20 Per Cent of India-China Strategic Border Roads Ready Till Now". NDTV. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
  9. ^ a b "Indian Army raises new mountain strike corps against China". India TV News Desk. New Delhi. 9 January 2014. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
  10. ^ a b Pandit, Rajat (8 March 2011). "Fund crunch hits Army's new strike corps". The Times of India. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
  11. ^ Pandit, Rajat (13 June 2013). "China-wary Army for mountain strike corps". The Times of India. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  12. ^ Chauhan, R S (3 January 2014). "Finally, an army strike corps aimed at China". Rediff.com. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
  13. ^ "To keep eye on China, Indian Army shifts Mountain Strike Corps' headquarters from Jharkhand to West Bengal". 2019-02-28. Retrieved 2021-07-14.
  14. ^ a b "View: To deal with the Chinese threat on the LAC, revive the Mountain Strike Corps". 2020-07-21. Retrieved 2021-07-14.
  15. ^ "Experts debate the necessity of second Mountain Strike Corps for China border". 2020-10-30. Retrieved 2021-07-14.
  16. ^ "Army kicks off raising of 2nd division under Mountain Strike Corps, plans exercise in Ladakh". The Times of India. 2017-05-29. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
  17. ^ "Eye on eastern Ladakh, new Army division likely to be raised this year". The Indian Express. 2024-04-14. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
  18. ^ "Army kicks off raising of 2nd division under Mountain Strike Corps, plans exercise in Ladakh". The Times of India. 2017-05-29. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-08-14.
  19. ^ "Integrated Battle Groups - Current Affairs". 2022-05-11. Retrieved 2024-11-30.
  20. ^ Peri, Dinakar (2019-07-28). "Army's first Integrated Battle Groups to be structured by end of next month". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 2024-11-30. Retrieved 2024-11-30.
  21. ^ a b Philip, Snehesh (2019-09-11). "Army to debut its Mountain Strike Corps next month, at HimVijay exercise in Arunachal". ThePrint. Archived from the original on 2024-11-30. Retrieved 2020-12-20.
  22. ^ Singh, Mayank (2022-05-11). "Integrated Battle Groups are in final stage, says Army Chief". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2024-11-30.
  23. ^ Peri, Dinakar (2022-05-10). "Consultations on creation of Integrated Battle Groups being compiled: Army Chief Gen. Pande". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 2024-11-30. Retrieved 2024-11-30.
  24. ^ "New government to decide on Army's integrated battle group plan". The Times of India. 2024-06-10. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 2024-11-30. Retrieved 2024-11-30.
  25. ^ "India Gears Up for Battle-Ready Integrated Groups Along Its Borders". Financialexpress. 2024-11-05. Retrieved 2024-11-30.
  26. ^ "India to deploy Integrated Battle Groups to counter China days after border truce". India Today. 2024-11-05. Archived from the original on 2024-11-30. Retrieved 2024-11-30.
  27. ^ "Indian Army's Mountain Strike Corps, Air Force to carry out war games near China border". The Economic Times. 2019-09-11. Retrieved 2019-09-12.
  28. ^ "Finally, an army strike corps aimed at China". 2014-01-03. Retrieved 2021-07-14.
  29. ^ "Mountain Strike Corps celebrates 2nd Raising Day". 2016-01-03. Retrieved 2021-07-14.
  30. ^ "Golden Jubilee Celebrations – 26 Madras". 2017-05-01. Retrieved 2021-07-14.
  31. ^ "Bombay Sappers Celebrates Its Reunion 2018".
  32. ^ "Dipatoli Cantonment celebrates 18th Kargil Vijay Diwas".
  33. ^ "Maj Gen P Nagesh Rao takes over command at Red Shield Div".
  34. ^ EasternCommand_IA (2019-06-16). "Lt Gen Shashank Shekhar Mishra, VSM took over took as GOC Brahmashtra Corps on 15 June 2019 from Lt Gen Pandala Nagesh Rao, YSM, SM. The Gen Officer has held several distinguished appointments during his career spanning 36 years @adgpi @SpokespersonMoDpic.twitter.com/rSL70d1lAn". @easterncomd. Retrieved 2019-09-12.
  35. ^ "Indian offensive to retake Chinese seized territory: The hidden story". 2020-09-06. Retrieved 2021-07-14.
  36. ^ "ADG PI tweet-Lieutenant General Rajinder Dewan, assumed the command of Brahmastra Corps". 2021-06-19. Retrieved 2021-06-19.
  37. ^ "Lt Gen VM Bhuvana Krishnan, AVSM, YSM took over the command of the Brahmastra Corps". 2022-06-25. Retrieved 2022-06-27.
  38. ^ "Sobti appointed Navy's deputy chief, Puri to head Army's Mountain Corps". 2023-10-01. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
  39. ^ "Lt General Yash Ahlawat Assumes Command of Brahmastra Corps". 2024-11-20. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
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