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Anti-Tank Capabilities of Infantry Divisions in Strike Corps

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The infantry divisions which accompany Armored Divisions in Strike Corps, have paramount responsibilities on their shoulders. There are 3 such Infantry Divisions.

1. 17th Infantry Division - I Corps
2. 37th Infantry Division - I Corps
and
3. 40th Infantry Division - II Corps


Role

These Infantry Divisions are part of Strike Corps so have to take part in assault (offensive) led by Armored Division of their respective Corps. They are fully motorized for this purpose and there are "rumors" that they are partly mechanized also.

1. These divisions have to either follow or join Armored Divisions in combat.
2. Provide cover from flank attacks by enemy armor or infantry formations.
3. Hold and defend the area captured by the Armored Division
4. Provide cover in case Armor Division falls back to friendly lines.
5. Provide security to keep lines of communications and logistics open for Strike Corps.

In depiction below, 17 ID moves along with 6 Armor Div while 37 ID is held in reserve. These ID's can be used in any of above mentioned roles.

View attachment 589607


Structure

The structure is same as of any other Infantry Division. The usual 3 brigade structure, 9 infantry battalions, 1 Armor Regiment, 1 Light Anti Tank Battalion (LAT), 3 Artillery and 3 AD Regiments.

LAT has 24 ATGM 4x4 and 24 MG 4x4. One such Battalion can be considered enough to give AT coverage to entire Division against enemy Armor.

@Gryphon has pointed out in past that Mechanized Infantry Battalions (M-113) are now assigned to Armored Divisions.

Fighting Arms of Infantry Division:

View attachment 589571

Supporting Arms

View attachment 589572



Anti Tank Capability- proposed Structure

Since 17,37 and 40 ID move along with PA's Armor Division, they will encounter heavy IA Armor presence in the form of Indian Army's IBG's, Armored Brigades or Division or even RAPID's. Therefore, these Infantry Divisions should have more Anti-Tank component (an Anti Tank Brigade) since they will be encountering T-90 and BMP's of Indian Army much more than other Infantry Divisions of PA.

Following is the proposed structure for these infantry divisions.

A Bde: 3 x Infantry Battalions
B Bde: 3 x Infantry Battalions
LAT Bde: 3 x LAT Battalions

1 x Armored Regiment
1 x HAT (Heavy AT) Regiment

View attachment 589602



Expected Scenario

Since the above mentioned three Infantry Divisions work closely with Armored Divisions, the Indian Army will throw in T-90 and BMP's at them. Which would be be more suited for defense against Indian Armor;

Regular Infantry Brigade OR Light/Heavy Anti Tank Brigade ?

View attachment 589608
Looking at the pictures, If PA is expecting to transport troops in Toyota’s and use jeeps for Anti-Tank units, then I have a bad news. Indian Artillery and cluster munitions will Toast everything light Armored.
 
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Looking at the pictures, If PA is expecting to transport troops in Toyota’s and use jeeps for Anti-Tank units, then I have a bad news. Indian Artillery and cluster munitions will Toast everything light Armored.

Sadly (from an Indian point of view) this is not the case. Please see #103; PanzerKiel has clarified the situation.
 
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Looking at the pictures, If PA is expecting to transport troops in Toyota’s and use jeeps for Anti-Tank units, then I have a bad news. Indian Artillery and cluster munitions will Toast everything light Armored.
Not only those, but all transportation of ammo and supplies apart from towing artillery guns is carried by light skinned trucks (2.5 T, 5 T etc). Troop carriers in infantry are trucks. Means Pakistan Military should stop using light skinned vehicles ?

Sadly (from an Indian point of view) this is not the case. Please see #103; PanzerKiel has clarified the situation.
4 x 4 wheeled will retain its utility on battlefield, not every vehicle can be tracked.

Hmmm. American ATGM on Russian Gunship. Thats interesting
HJ-8/BS on AH-1 (originally chinese on American), so American on Russian (TOW on Mi-35, just like Aim-9 on Mig-19 and Mig-21 series of F-6 and F-7).
 
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Not only those, but all transportation of ammo and supplies apart from towing artillery guns is carried by light skinned trucks (2.5 T, 5 T etc). Troop carriers in infantry are trucks. Means Pakistan Military should stop using light skinned vehicles ?


4 x 4 wheeled will retain its utility on battlefield, not every vehicle can be tracked.


HJ-8/BS on AH-1 (originally chinese on American), so American on Russian (TOW on Mi-35, just like Aim-9 on Mig-19 and Mig-21 series of F-6 and F-7).

Not to quibble, but from my own personal 4x4 experience, they just don't hack it; even the slightest rough terrain slow them down and make them go through complicated manoeuvres with the gears. India used CJ3Bs first, then the Nissan Patrol, called Jonga in India from its factory of origin, then Jeep derivatives called MM440, MM540 and MM550. Members interested in learning more about 4WD experiences in India in the civilian sphere may read a specialised forum for these and other motoring activities.

Currently, the 4WD of choice is the Suzuki Gypsy, and it is not a gun truck. It is at best a personal transport for officers rushing about from point to point.

If you were to include 6x6 and 8x8 in your comment, I might back away respectfully and leave it at that. Just 4WD? I dunno......it's faddish and not practical.
 
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If you were to include 6x6 and 8x8 in your comment, I might back away respectfully and leave it at that. Just 4WD? I dunno......it's faddish and not practical.
Ground reality is TLC (70 series) and Defender 110. Then Hilux's and L-200 Mitsubishi.
If i was to procure, then MRAPs would be priority whether 4x4 or 6x6
 
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Not only those, but all transportation of ammo and supplies apart from towing artillery guns is carried by light skinned trucks (2.5 T, 5 T etc). Troop carriers in infantry are trucks. Means Pakistan Military should stop using light skinned vehicles ?

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For troop transports to (Not into) the battle field, for Ammo and supplies into the battlefield. Light skin trucks are fine. US (I think) 9 ton Trucks, driver cabin is light armored to protect driver, and crew from Artillery shrapnel and medium MG rounds. Pakistan gotta work on Hummve or MRAP type veh.
 
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Not really a nightmare. But these four are the minimum required. One for each infantry brigade and Medium Regiment with Div HQ.

There are techniques whereby these artillery guns are able to provide continuous fire cover to an advancing infantry division as well.



In 23 Mar Parade, requirement is not for one company to participate. The formation in which the unit ha to roll by matters actually, like 9 M113s means the unit must be marching with 3 M113s abreast, in 3 rows.
Are some Medium ArtRegs with 12x155mm & 6x130mm TO&E?
Does that include some SP
Medium ArtRegs?
Does Heavy ArtRegs goes with 12x203mm & 6x130mm?
(The 155mm Long Toms are gone?)
This quastions are in debate here in PDF since the begining.
Thanks

Are some Medium ArtRegs with 12x155mm & 6x130mm TO&E?
Does that include some SP
Medium ArtRegs?
Does Heavy ArtRegs goes with 12x203mm & 6x130mm?
(The 155mm Long Toms are gone?)
This quastions are in debate here in PDF since the begining.
Thanks
I was for 5 years in Portuguese Army, half that time in the Mechanized Brigade. I know the working of the Artillery. The basic working principles of Pak Artillery are western/NATO like the Portuguese.
I do know the "speed factor" in Mech operations and the dinamics diference between "Leg" Infantry (with their towed guns) and MIBs/Tanks (with their SP guns).
Thanks
 
.
Are some Medium ArtRegs with 12x155mm & 6x130mm TO&E?
Does that include some SP
Medium ArtRegs?
Does Heavy ArtRegs goes with 12x203mm & 6x130mm?
(The 155mm Long Toms are gone?)
This quastions are in debate here in PDF since the begining.
Thanks


I was for 5 years in Portuguese Army, half that time in the Mechanized Brigade. I know the working of the Artillery. The basic working principles of Pak Artillery are western/NATO like the Portuguese.
I do know the "speed factor" in Mech operations and the dinamics diference between "Leg" Infantry (with their towed guns) and MIBs/Tanks (with their SP guns).
Thanks

Medium Regiments are equipped with only ONE type of equipment. However, mission oriented regiments are also there, having a mix equipment, we call them Composite Regiments, but they are not authorised.

Inf Divisions do not have SP Medium Regiments. Only towed.

Long Toms are there for training only. Highly accurate firing tables from 1940s. Excellent metallurgy, unmatched.

I am also a mechanized officer, glad to know you are as well.
 
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Medium Regiments are equipped with only ONE type of equipment. However, mission oriented regiments are also there, having a mix equipment, we call them Composite Regiments, but they are not authorised.

Inf Divisions do not have SP Medium Regiments. Only towed.

Long Toms are there for training only. Highly accurate firing tables from 1940s. Excellent metallurgy, unmatched.

I am also a mechanized officer, glad to know you are as well.

I was a NCO (2nd Sergeant) from the 4th Cavalry/Tank Group with M60A3TTS
Sometimes I spent 30 days in the Field during exercizes with Spanish/German/US/Romanian//Hungarian/Italian.
Portuguese MIBs have 12 M113 TOW (2 in each 3 Mech Rifle Coys and 6 in Support Coy)
I was asking for the Art types, becouse the number of medium guns bought are in multiples of 12 guns, not 18.... Everyone in PDF refers to Medium Regs of 18 guns, so...
During 1965/1971 Pak Army was operating with Heavy Art Regs of 8x203mm+4x155mm LongTom or 4x203mm+8x155mm LongTom, thats the reson I asked by both.
Thanks
 
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