Testbed for Integrated Battle Groups
The XVII Corps was one of the Corps, along with IX Corps, were used as the testbeds to explore the concept of Integrated Battle Group (IBG) combined arms formations. The concept was initially conceived in 2013 during a field exercise in Punjab [11] and was later revived in 2018 by the then Chief of the Army Staff (CoAS) General Bipin Rawat. [12]
The Integrated Battle Groups were Brigade-sized, self-sufficient combined arms units commanded by an officer of the rank Major General. They were meant to transform the overall field formation of the Indian Army. The concept was tested with the IX Corps by July 2019 and were undergoing certain reorganisation based on few feedbacks. The new restructuring will further reduce the 72-hours response time determined in the Cold Start Doctrine to under 24 hours. Their resources and structure would be decided based on the threat and terrain at the deployment location. An IBG would include 5,000 troops and sub units from multiple arms like infantry, armoured, artillery and air defence. [13] In October 2019, the XVII Corps conducted Exercise Him Vijay, the first field implementation of such a formation, which included three IBGs from the 59 Infantry Division. [14]
By May 2022, the IBGs were test-bedded by IX Corps and further validated by the XVII Corps. The Army identified these Corps for total 'IBG-isation', which would be done parallel to the formation of Integrated Theatre Commands to integrate the Armed Forces into larger theatres. The IBGs will replace the traditional Brigades (3,000-3,500 troops) and Divisions (10,000-12,000 troops) existing in the Army. [15] [16]
As of June 2024, 2 IBGs under 9 Corps and 5 IBGs under 17 Corps had been raised two phases, respectively. These formations were war-gamed and validated in multiple exercises. The Army HQ had earlier submitted the report on Phase-1 of 'IBG-isation' to the Defence Ministry while the same for Phase 2 was to be submitted before issuing the official Government Sanction Letter (GSL). The original plan was to first carve out 8-10 IBGs (5,000 to 6,000 troops each) initially and then create more over the years. As of now, the Army has 14 Corps (40,000 to 70,000 troops each), with four of them being strike formations. [17] By November 2024, the Army submitted a draft Government Sanction Letter seeking official approval for the establishment of these IBGs. The issuing of the GSL will imply the approval for the implementation of IBGs. Post approval, the Army aims to have the IBGs operational by 2025. [18] [19]
On 26 July 2025, on the occasion of 26th Kargil Vijay Diwas, the CoAS General Upendra Dwivedi introduced the Rudra all-arms brigades in Drass War Memorial. The plan includes conversion of 250 single-arm brigades to all-arms ones with integration of fighting elements like infantry, mechanised infantry, armoured (tanks), Special Forces as well as support elements like artillery, engineers, air defence, electronic warfare and UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles). The formations will receive specially prepared logistics for support and combat support. [20] [21] The design of the all-arms brigade itself evolved from the IBG concept with few but major modifications including these brigades being slightly larger than standard brigades against the IBG which were scaled-down Divisions. Also, the Rudra units will be commanded by a Brigadier-ranked officer, unlike a Major General-commanded IBG formation. [22] While one brigade each, under the IX and XVII Corps, have already been converted to Rudra brigade, they are likely to be operationalised with few months. [23] [10]
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Western Command 
