Exercise Kharga Prahar-2019

Exercise Kharga Prahar–2019 was a large-scale military exercise conducted by the Indian Army in the plains of Punjab, aimed at testing operational preparedness, joint coordination, and integrated battle capabilities in a simulated combat environment. The exercise formed part of the Indian Army’s regular strategic training cycle to ensure readiness for any contingency along the western borders.

Background and Context

The Indian Army conducts periodic large-scale field training exercises to validate its doctrines and test the effectiveness of newly introduced systems, equipment, and tactics. Exercise Kharga Prahar–2019 was organised under the command of the Kharga Corps (II Corps), one of the premier strike corps of the Indian Army, headquartered at Ambala.
The Kharga Corps, falling under the Western Command, plays a crucial role in India’s rapid offensive operations and is responsible for maintaining high levels of combat readiness in the plains sector facing Pakistan.
The 2019 iteration of Exercise Kharga Prahar was conducted to evaluate the Corps’ strike capabilities and joint operations with air and mechanised forces, reflecting the Army’s shift toward integrated and network-centric warfare.

Location and Duration

The exercise was held in the plains of Punjab, covering large tracts of semi-desert and agricultural terrain, which closely resemble the likely operational environment in the western sector.

• Duration: Conducted over two weeks in May–June 2019.
• Area of Exercise: Extended across multiple field formations under the jurisdiction of Western Command.

The region was chosen deliberately to test the troops’ mobility, logistics, and adaptability in realistic battle conditions, particularly under high-temperature and dust-prone environments.

Objectives of the Exercise

Exercise Kharga Prahar–2019 was designed with multiple operational and tactical objectives, including:

1. Validation of Strike Formations:
   • To assess the rapid mobilisation and combat readiness of the Strike Corps in executing swift, deep offensive operations.
   • To test the capability of formations to conduct high-tempo mechanised warfare.
2. Integration of Forces:
   • To evaluate the synergy between infantry, armoured, artillery, engineers, and air defence units.
   • To integrate support from the Indian Air Force (IAF) for air–land coordinated operations.
3. Testing of New Tactics and Systems:
   • To validate emerging battlefield doctrines involving network-centric operations, real-time intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) systems.
   • To test new-generation weapon platforms, night-fighting capabilities, and digital command systems.
4. Logistics and Sustainment:
   • To ensure that logistic supply chains, maintenance support, and communication networks can sustain prolonged operations.
5. Battlefield Situational Awareness:
   • To enhance decision-making through battlefield transparency and high-speed data communication.

Participating Formations and Assets

The exercise involved mechanised and armoured formations of the Kharga Corps, supported by elements from other combat arms and services, including:

• Armoured Regiments: Equipped with main battle tanks such as T-90 Bhishma and T-72 Ajeya.
• Mechanised Infantry Units: Operating Infantry Combat Vehicles (BMP-2).
• Artillery Units: Providing precision firepower using self-propelled guns and rocket systems.
• Army Aviation Assets: Including helicopters for reconnaissance, logistics, and troop movement.
• Indian Air Force Assets: Participated in close air support missions and battlefield air interdiction to simulate real operational scenarios.

The exercise also included participation from signals units, combat engineers, and electronic warfare elements, ensuring multi-domain coordination.

Key Features and Highlights

1. Integrated Battle Group (IBG) Concept: Exercise Kharga Prahar–2019 prominently featured testing of the Integrated Battle Group (IBG) model — a new organisational structure introduced by the Indian Army for faster mobilisation and more flexible battlefield response.
   Each IBG is a self-contained, all-arms formation comprising infantry, armour, artillery, engineers, logistics, and air defence elements capable of rapid offensive or defensive operations.
2. High-Intensity Mechanised Operations: The exercise simulated high-speed armoured manoeuvres, deep strikes, and rapid troop deployment, testing both offensive and defensive battle scenarios.
3. Jointmanship and Network-Centric Warfare: The exercise highlighted joint operations between the Army and Air Force, with a focus on precision targeting, electronic warfare integration, and networked command systems for real-time coordination.
4. Use of Modern Technology:
   • Integration of drones and UAVs for surveillance and reconnaissance.
   • Digital Command and Control Systems for enhanced situational awareness.
   • Satellite-based communication links for secure data sharing.
5. Live Fire Drills: The exercise included live ammunition drills, validating the accuracy and lethality of modern weapon systems under dynamic conditions.
6. Sustainability and Rapid Mobility: The Corps demonstrated its ability to sustain continuous operations over an extended duration, with efficient logistic supply chains and battlefield medical support.

Strategic Significance

Exercise Kharga Prahar–2019 carried considerable strategic and doctrinal importance for the Indian Army and the Western Command.

• It showcased India’s preparedness for swift, high-intensity mechanised warfare in a short timeframe.
• The exercise reinforced the Army’s capability to project power rapidly in the plains sector, ensuring deterrence and operational readiness along the western front.
• It validated the synergy between ground and air forces, enhancing interoperability for future joint operations.
• The success of the exercise contributed valuable lessons toward the implementation of the IBG concept, which aims to transform the Army into a more agile, responsive, and technology-enabled force.

Environmental and Civil Coordination

The exercise was conducted with due consideration for environmental safety and civilian coordination. Local administrations were informed well in advance, and measures were taken to prevent disruption of agricultural activities and minimise environmental impact. Temporary camps and tracks were restored post-exercise to ensure ecological balance in the area.