Indian Army Plans to Establish Four Integrated Battle Groups in Eastern Theatre
The Indian Army is advancing plans to establish four Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs) from the XVII Corps, which is the first mountain strike corps facing China. Each IBG, expected to be commanded by a Major General and comprising over 5,000 troops, will have no brigade commanders.
Discussions are underway to form these IBGs from the 59 and 23 Divisions of the XVII Corps, pending government approval. The IBGs will include infantry battalions, artillery regiments, and support elements, with logistics drawn from corps units as needed.
This initiative is part of a broader Army restructuring plan and aims to enhance operational capability in mountainous terrains. The IBGs will allow for rapid deployment compared to traditional corps, which require longer mobilization times. The concept has been tested in previous exercises and is seen as essential for both offensive and defensive operations.
