More bang for the buck-I
(This is the FIRST of TWO parts, this part has already appeared but an edited version is considered still appropriate).
Nations that want to retain their sovereignty have to spend substantial sums for their defence needs, emphasis on defence expenditures extending even to those countries whose defence shields are provided by protective allies. For third world countries, already over-burdened economically by crushing external debt, earmarking of large outlays for defence material and manpower, is for the most part unacceptable. For Pakistan, only the thought that India, with the bulk of its population below the poverty level, spends a mind-boggling amount on their fairy-tale perceptions of defence needs (which invariably means an anti-Pakistan posture), keeps us from screaming our collective heads off. With such an implacable, unrelenting foe on our borders, our financial circumstances take secondary thought as we make pro-rata commensurate increases in our defence outlays. Indian ambitions are too blatant for us to behave like an ostrich. While matching them gun for gun may not be either feasible or possible, we are obliged to maintain a proportionate ratio so that numerical or qualitative superiority does not overwhelm us without a fight as has happened recently in Sri Lanka. With the Afghan situation not having improved after the departure of the Russians, our volatile borders still dictate a two-front approach, the division of our meagre resources indicating a defence posture based on interior lines of communications with an inherent capability to move large bodies of troops on short notice for strategic and/or tactical purposes. Thanks to generous US Aid, dictated out of the threat perceptions to their strategic interests in the Persian Gulf, we have managed to induct quality material in good quantities into the three services, particularly the Pakistan Air Force where the acquiring of the F-16, the Fighting Falcon, has given us a qualitative edge in the field of air superiority. Our greatest failing has been a significant lack of progress in indigenous defence production where a singular lack of will had previously inspired a lip-service fanfare of achievements interspersed with some actual transfer of technology from time to time. This seems to be now changing as our planners realize that we are in jeopardy 24 hours, this not being a 9 to 5 world anymore.
Security Considerations
Because of reasons of security it would be inappropriate and counter-productive to make a detailed analysis of our defence requirements in the pages of a newspaper so only a general discussion can be made, suffering as it will from the lack of substantial argument about technology and tactics. Furthermore, except for the possible exception of US Senator Sam Nunn, no single person can really boast of having a detailed computer-like knowledge of any country’s defence requirements. Given the self-imposed restrictions coupled with modest qualifications, one can discuss and recommend solutions to get more “Bang for the Buck” within these parameters. One can indulge in some suggestions for cost-cutting without effecting the respective operational roles of the three Defence Services. One can discuss the common problems associated with all three services.
The Aim of the Defence Services
It is to defend the ideological frontiers of the State and the territorial sovereignty of the Nation at all costs. All other functions are subordinate to the Aim, the selection and maintenance of which is the first Principle of War. In the fulfilment of the Aim, the primary requisite of the Armed Forces is to prepare for war. This preparation will be dictated by the enemy’s strength and intentions, the terrain and our own resources. Once one has assessed the enemy’s intention and capabilities we can earmark our own manpower and equipment requirements. Allocations of forces and material depends very much on optimum strategy devised by our planners. This dictates the Tables of Organisation and Equipment (TO&E) which must and should be different for each sector and service. For the Army, there are four main areas of operations, the high mountains, the mountains, the plains and the desert. Pakistan Air Force, applying the interior lines for defence theory into practice much more assiduously, is well balanced with its induction of advanced equipment and their allocations to different sectors. The Pakistan Navy has barely adequate submarine and aviation forces given the Indian build-up, having been sorely neglected in development and its previously limited role can now be enhanced only at great cost — and it must be!
Reorganisation
We have a frequent perception of the structure of the Armed Forces being exceedingly top-heavy. With the current expansion this perception is reinforced by a realistic assessment of the number of commanders promoted into various positions. During time of peace, top-heavy structures pose administrative problems only but during wartime they can prove to be operationally fatal. The defence services must be made lean and tough and the way to go about it is to drastically reduce (1) the number of HQs right down the line. (2) the number of staff in each HQ. (3) the ancillary troops attached to each HQ. This is necessary to make better use of our manpower and to have a better ratio between the men actually expected to do the fighting and those in supporting roles. It goes without saying that the fighting arms must have adequate logistic support but the present tendency, not only in Pakistan but all over the world, to have the main mass of men in logistical services and very few men forward in the field of battle must be immediately reversed. For the Air Force, which uses a single pilot (mainly) in a combat aircraft (or a small crew) this is acceptable but for the Army and Navy certainly not. With the advent of more Corps Formations in the Army, the administrative functions as regards manpower management of the Divisional HQs should be drastically cut down and taken over by the Corps HQ while the support and supply functions should be handled by the Logistics Area. Battalion, Brigade and Divisional HQs should basically be at Tactical HQ strength and located, as is been the case in actual war conditions, with the reserve sub-unit within the respective units.
Transportation
One of the fundamental aspects of Reorganisation would be to clearly demarcate the use of first-line equipment particularly transportation. No administrative unit of any kind should be allocated first-line equipment except for small arms. A separate scheme for transportation for administrative units needs to be introduced. First line transport should be driven no more than a maximum of 500 miles each year, mostly during collective training, and no drivers’ training should be conducted on first line transport. Our Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (EME) service has increased dramatically in numerical strength mainly because of non-standardisation of equipment and improper use of expensive first line transport. We should encourage private drivers training schools in the vicinity of cantonments and pay them for ab-initio training up to the licence stage. This will also give considerable saving on POL besides avoiding wear and tear of the equipment. Re-organisation is also necessitated because of the induction of various high-tech weapons at the sub-unit, unit level, new tactics have as such to be also evolved considering the changing demands of modern warfare.
Batmen
Batmen are sacred cows and must be done away with immediately. Married officers should be authorised the salary for acquiring one civilian servant while the pattern of the Air Force where the bachelor officers share the services of bearers should be adopted. With the saving on manpower, one can probably create a fresh infantry division.
National Logistics Cell (NLC) and Front Works Organisation
The Defence Services should avoid getting into NLC-type projects. The National Logistics Cell was a brilliant idea when conceived but only as a temporary stop-gap measure. As a permanent establishment, officered and manned by the critical manpower of the Army, it is a counter-productive headache, a total washout as an economic measure and a Public Relations disaster. NLC should be sold, lock, stock and barrel to the Fauji Foundation (or the Army Welfare Trust, etc) which should then run it as a private organisation manned mostly by ex-servicemen. Similarly, other organisations coming up on the same pattern in the Engineer Corps should be done away with. The Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) has done a tremendous job but basically it should have remained a Control HQ and the service performed by private construction companies. The concept of the US Army Corps of Engineers being transferred to Pakistani conditions is feasible but if we stick to the principles of contracting out work to qualified private companies. Similarly, the Military Dairy Farm idea should have been dropped as the Army expanded, the Army procuring its milk very much like it procures its other daily rations. Each of these Organisations has drawn a lot of officers and men who have to be housed, their administrative needs attended to and so on and so forth till ultimately one is overwhelmed by the non-defence expenditures in the defence services.
Misuse of Combat Troops and Equipment
Use of combat troops for any purpose other than military should be strictly forbidden. Military parades are fine now and then but Horse and Cattle Shows do not fit in with today’s image of the fighting Army. It is a diversion of officers and men for totally non-productive use. Hand it over to the civilians to run it and let them spend money and time for this type of extravaganza. Similarly protocol duties of any nature should be strictly avoided as it detracts from the training cycle.
Universal Conscription
It is high time that we had universal conscription. National service plays a great part in integrating society during peacetime besides the fact that on general mobilisation in anticipation of war we should be able to call on the vast sources of our manpower potential. A professional Army capable of quick mobilisation will go much towards saving recurring expenditures. At the same time it inculcates a sense of comradeship and equality besides instilling discipline, which is seriously being affected in our youth. A large standing Army may be a definite contribution towards the economy as it provides for employment of our unskilled masses but universal conscription with innovative branches for medical care, transportation and other general services will make a tremendous difference towards our economic well-being. The mixture of various ethnic groups into one melting point will also significantly contribute to national integration, harmonising society as a whole.
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