A Strong and Short Maneuver is the Goal
The Head of the IDF's Ground Force Command tells IsraelDefense that the IDF is prepared to make "a strong and overwhelming maneuver into the heart of the enemy's layouts"
Amir Rapaport 21/6/2012
http://www.israeldefense.com/?CategoryID=483&ArticleID=1413
A strong and overwhelming maneuver into the heart of the enemy's layouts
will neutralize the missile threat to the homefront," says Brigadier General
Eyal Zamir, head of the IDF's Ground Force Command. IsraelDefense met with
Zamir for a special interview in advance of the May 21-24 2nd International
Fire Operations Conference sponsored by the Artillery Association and
IsraelDefense at the Artillery Association Memorial Site in Zikron Ya'akov.
Brigadier General Zamir is referring to the IDF's preparations for the next
confrontation. The implication is clear: the next war will not be similar in
any way, shape, or form to the Second Lebanon War in 2006. Back then, the
IDF waged a long-range fire campaign during which enemy rockets rained down
on northern Israel.
Now, the IDF appears ready to respond with a swift, incisive, lethal
maneuver into the source of enemy missile and rocket fire – whether in
Lebanon or the Gaza Strip.
"In a place like Gaza, a maneuver is rather limited, but in a large-scale
operation, we see it as the decisive element," says Zamir.
"The enemy has altered his tactics over the last decade. According to our
assessment, he's not building combat platforms to use against us or planning
an in-depth operational maneuver into Israel. Instead, he's shifted to
counter warfare. He's amassed a formidable missile threat at every level
that is designed to strike at our population centers and destroy our combat
platforms.
"The enemy wants to force us into battle. However, it is not in our interest
to get drawn into a situation where we exchange fire in a weeks-long
campaign, at the end of which each side claims victory.
"Our answer is to implement a decisive maneuver that will result in victory.
The enemy is aware of our plans and has built very powerful defense
envelopes. Therefore, to meet this challenge, we have to prepare a maneuver
capable of overcoming obstacles that penetrate into the depth of their
layout well beyond the first envelope."
How does this affect force buildup?
"We're building brigades, divisions, artillery formations, and other forces
that can penetrate the enemy's defense and win the battle. Our goal is to
have strong divisions that can perform a major maneuver (whether an infantry
or mechanized/armored maneuver) with very powerful fire support.
Joint Fire
How do you plan to bolster firepower?
"We distinguish between statistical fire that lands on enemy layouts and
precision fire. We're aware that the enemy exploits the urban environment,
using human shields and civilian homes as garrisons. Therefore, our
maneuvering layout is being built with extremely accurate fire capabilities.
"One of our directions is to create pinpoint accurate fire, and provide the
divisional level with precise rocket fire for distances of 40-50 km. These
are relatively low-cost ordinary rockets, not the very expensive missiles
designed for special tasks."
Is a new rocket battalion in the works?
"The plan envisions every brigade and division equipped with a rocket
battery. The division can then use the different batteries together or
individually."
What about self-propelled artillery? The present self-propelled cannon, the
M-109 Doher (Galloper) is already in its fourth decade of service.
"We're looking into a new canon. This, and providing the divisions with
rockets, are two of the topics on the agenda after the dimensions of the
budget in the next multi-year plan for 2013-2017 are known."
What about acquiring rockets with a 150 km range? There were reports that
Israel Military Industries (IMI) is developing an EXTRA (Extended Range
Artillery) rocket with this range.
"I prefer not to discuss this matter."
Target Acquisition
"Another element in the application of fire is intelligence," states Zamir.
"The ability to convey quality intelligence that provides the fire and
maneuverability to cause the enemy maximum harm depends on target
acquisition and C2 (command and control) systems.”
The fourth element in the application of fire, whose importance cannot be
overestimated, is inter-arm cooperation with the air force?
"Very valuable work is being done on inter-arm (air force-ground force)
jointness for target acquisition, surveillance, and fire application using
attack helicopters and warplanes. Not all the glitches have been ironed out,
but progress is being made.
"For example, an inter-arm jointness school was set up at the Palmachim
Airbase. Joint study days for ground and air personnel are held to enhance
cooperation at different levels.
"Another area – unmanned aircraft – is also expanding at a rapid pace."
What about the plan for the ground forces and air force to develop a joint
low ground level UAV? (The first two Skylark UAVs that Elbit Systems
developed are currently undergoing operational testing near the Egypt-Israel
border.)
"At present, no funds have been forthcoming for the project, so it's on
hold. But we're carrying out replenishment with the Skyrider UAV (Elbit's
Skylark 1). Eventually, every armored and infantry battalion will be
equipped with it. This will be a very effective addition that will enable a
battalion commander to view everything in a particular area without having
to wait for intelligence reports from the division command."
Is the present IDF command satisfied with the decision for the last
multi-year plan to procure a large number of Merkava Namer APCs by 2020,
built jointly in Israel and the United States? This looks like a
budget-consuming project.
"The Golani Infantry Brigade is already fully equipped with Namer APCs,
which we consider to be crucial. After decades, the infantry finally
possesses a quality platform. An infantry soldier can't move on foot for the
entire duration of a war. Infantry-armor combat teams need quality infantry
that can perform armored assignments, penetrate the enemy's depth, and carry
out missions on short notice.
"The enemy has vast quantities of munitions that can wreak havoc on foot
soldiers. Therefore, when we speak about an overwhelming maneuver and joint
combat, from our point of view, we need infantry platforms that can
accompany and discharge the force. This is a major project, but as far as
numbers are concerned, we'll leave that unmentioned."
A New Shahar
"In addition to the Namer, new equipment has significantly upgraded the
infantry in the last few years," says Zamir. "This includes the Keshet 120
mm precision mortar system, as well as the Shahar C2 system, which is being
introduced to all battalion commanders and is part of the Digital Army
Program (DAP).
In order to increase infantry effectiveness, we've added surveillance
devices and many other layouts. On today's battlefield, a target's
visibility is brief. The advanced C2 systems are like a railway network that
connects forces at various echelons in order to shorten the
sensor-to-shooter cycle. We're doing everything we can to actualize the
concept that maneuverability is key."
--------------------------------------------
IMRA - Independent Media Review and Analysis
Website: www.imra.org.il
The Head of the IDF's Ground Force Command tells IsraelDefense that the IDF is prepared to make "a strong and overwhelming maneuver into the heart of the enemy's layouts"
Amir Rapaport 21/6/2012
http://www.israeldefense.com/?CategoryID=483&ArticleID=1413
A strong and overwhelming maneuver into the heart of the enemy's layouts
will neutralize the missile threat to the homefront," says Brigadier General
Eyal Zamir, head of the IDF's Ground Force Command. IsraelDefense met with
Zamir for a special interview in advance of the May 21-24 2nd International
Fire Operations Conference sponsored by the Artillery Association and
IsraelDefense at the Artillery Association Memorial Site in Zikron Ya'akov.
Brigadier General Zamir is referring to the IDF's preparations for the next
confrontation. The implication is clear: the next war will not be similar in
any way, shape, or form to the Second Lebanon War in 2006. Back then, the
IDF waged a long-range fire campaign during which enemy rockets rained down
on northern Israel.
Now, the IDF appears ready to respond with a swift, incisive, lethal
maneuver into the source of enemy missile and rocket fire – whether in
Lebanon or the Gaza Strip.
"In a place like Gaza, a maneuver is rather limited, but in a large-scale
operation, we see it as the decisive element," says Zamir.
"The enemy has altered his tactics over the last decade. According to our
assessment, he's not building combat platforms to use against us or planning
an in-depth operational maneuver into Israel. Instead, he's shifted to
counter warfare. He's amassed a formidable missile threat at every level
that is designed to strike at our population centers and destroy our combat
platforms.
"The enemy wants to force us into battle. However, it is not in our interest
to get drawn into a situation where we exchange fire in a weeks-long
campaign, at the end of which each side claims victory.
"Our answer is to implement a decisive maneuver that will result in victory.
The enemy is aware of our plans and has built very powerful defense
envelopes. Therefore, to meet this challenge, we have to prepare a maneuver
capable of overcoming obstacles that penetrate into the depth of their
layout well beyond the first envelope."
How does this affect force buildup?
"We're building brigades, divisions, artillery formations, and other forces
that can penetrate the enemy's defense and win the battle. Our goal is to
have strong divisions that can perform a major maneuver (whether an infantry
or mechanized/armored maneuver) with very powerful fire support.
Joint Fire
How do you plan to bolster firepower?
"We distinguish between statistical fire that lands on enemy layouts and
precision fire. We're aware that the enemy exploits the urban environment,
using human shields and civilian homes as garrisons. Therefore, our
maneuvering layout is being built with extremely accurate fire capabilities.
"One of our directions is to create pinpoint accurate fire, and provide the
divisional level with precise rocket fire for distances of 40-50 km. These
are relatively low-cost ordinary rockets, not the very expensive missiles
designed for special tasks."
Is a new rocket battalion in the works?
"The plan envisions every brigade and division equipped with a rocket
battery. The division can then use the different batteries together or
individually."
What about self-propelled artillery? The present self-propelled cannon, the
M-109 Doher (Galloper) is already in its fourth decade of service.
"We're looking into a new canon. This, and providing the divisions with
rockets, are two of the topics on the agenda after the dimensions of the
budget in the next multi-year plan for 2013-2017 are known."
What about acquiring rockets with a 150 km range? There were reports that
Israel Military Industries (IMI) is developing an EXTRA (Extended Range
Artillery) rocket with this range.
"I prefer not to discuss this matter."
Target Acquisition
"Another element in the application of fire is intelligence," states Zamir.
"The ability to convey quality intelligence that provides the fire and
maneuverability to cause the enemy maximum harm depends on target
acquisition and C2 (command and control) systems.”
The fourth element in the application of fire, whose importance cannot be
overestimated, is inter-arm cooperation with the air force?
"Very valuable work is being done on inter-arm (air force-ground force)
jointness for target acquisition, surveillance, and fire application using
attack helicopters and warplanes. Not all the glitches have been ironed out,
but progress is being made.
"For example, an inter-arm jointness school was set up at the Palmachim
Airbase. Joint study days for ground and air personnel are held to enhance
cooperation at different levels.
"Another area – unmanned aircraft – is also expanding at a rapid pace."
What about the plan for the ground forces and air force to develop a joint
low ground level UAV? (The first two Skylark UAVs that Elbit Systems
developed are currently undergoing operational testing near the Egypt-Israel
border.)
"At present, no funds have been forthcoming for the project, so it's on
hold. But we're carrying out replenishment with the Skyrider UAV (Elbit's
Skylark 1). Eventually, every armored and infantry battalion will be
equipped with it. This will be a very effective addition that will enable a
battalion commander to view everything in a particular area without having
to wait for intelligence reports from the division command."
Is the present IDF command satisfied with the decision for the last
multi-year plan to procure a large number of Merkava Namer APCs by 2020,
built jointly in Israel and the United States? This looks like a
budget-consuming project.
"The Golani Infantry Brigade is already fully equipped with Namer APCs,
which we consider to be crucial. After decades, the infantry finally
possesses a quality platform. An infantry soldier can't move on foot for the
entire duration of a war. Infantry-armor combat teams need quality infantry
that can perform armored assignments, penetrate the enemy's depth, and carry
out missions on short notice.
"The enemy has vast quantities of munitions that can wreak havoc on foot
soldiers. Therefore, when we speak about an overwhelming maneuver and joint
combat, from our point of view, we need infantry platforms that can
accompany and discharge the force. This is a major project, but as far as
numbers are concerned, we'll leave that unmentioned."
A New Shahar
"In addition to the Namer, new equipment has significantly upgraded the
infantry in the last few years," says Zamir. "This includes the Keshet 120
mm precision mortar system, as well as the Shahar C2 system, which is being
introduced to all battalion commanders and is part of the Digital Army
Program (DAP).
In order to increase infantry effectiveness, we've added surveillance
devices and many other layouts. On today's battlefield, a target's
visibility is brief. The advanced C2 systems are like a railway network that
connects forces at various echelons in order to shorten the
sensor-to-shooter cycle. We're doing everything we can to actualize the
concept that maneuverability is key."
--------------------------------------------
IMRA - Independent Media Review and Analysis
Website: www.imra.org.il
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