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| Army Training Command (ARTRAC) | |
|---|---|
| Unit name | Army Training Command (ARTRAC) |
| Dates | Established 1991–present |
| Country | India |
| Type | Training Command |
| Role | Training and Doctrine |
| Garrison | Shimla |
| Commander1 label | Commander-in-Chief |
Army Training Command (ARTRAC)
Army Training Command (ARTRAC) is the Indian Army's principal authority for training, doctrine, and evaluation, established to centralize Indian Army training policy and institutional development. Located in Shimla, ARTRAC coordinates institutional linkages with National Defence Academy, Indian Military Academy, Defence Research and Development Organisation, and other services to harmonize training across Central Armed Police Forces, Indian Air Force, and Indian Navy institutions. It interfaces with strategic bodies such as the Integrated Defence Staff, Ministry of Defence, and academic institutions including Jawaharlal Nehru University and Indian Institute of Technology campuses for curriculum development.
ARTRAC's origins trace to post-Kargil War reforms and earlier recommendations from commissions like the Swaraj Paul Committee and doctrines influenced by lessons from the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, the Bangladesh Liberation War, and counterinsurgency campaigns in Punjab insurgency and Northeast India. The command was stood up following reviews conducted after operations such as Operation Vijay (1999) and in response to doctrinal shifts observed during the Gulf War (1990–1991), the Kargil Review Committee recommendations, and evolving threats documented by the National Security Council (India). ARTRAC institutionalized concepts from international exercises involving partners like the United States Army, British Army, French Army, and learning from campaigns including the Falklands War and Operation Enduring Freedom.
ARTRAC is organized into directorates that mirror functions in commands like the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command and maintains liaison with organizations such as the Defence Services Staff College, College of Defence Management, and the National Defence University (India). Its headquarters comprises branches for doctrine, evaluation, simulation, doctrine publishing, and training standards, working with establishments such as the Armoured Corps Centre and School, Infantry School (India), College of Military Engineering, and Signals Corps Training Centre. Command relationships extend to regional training teams, affiliated institutions like the Assam Rifles, Gorkha Regiments, and coordination cells with the Border Security Force and Central Reserve Police Force.
ARTRAC formulates doctrine and training policy, issues publications akin to field manuals used by formations such as Indian Army Corps of Engineers, Army Aviation Corps, Corps of Signals, and provides oversight on joint training with the Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, and multinational partners including Shanghai Cooperation Organisation members. It conducts capability assessments derived from lessons in operations like Operation Meghdoot, Operation Pawan, and Counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir, and integrates inputs from think tanks such as the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses and academic bodies like the Rashtriya Raksha University. ARTRAC also accredits tactical and staff courses for officers graduating from institutions like the Defence Services Staff College and coordinates exchange programs with entities such as the Foreign Service Institute and foreign military academies like Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
ARTRAC oversees a network of training institutions including the Army War College, Mhow, the Infantry School, Mhow, the Armoured Corps Centre and School, Ahmednagar, the College of Military Engineering, Pune, the Military College of Telecommunication Engineering, and specialised centres such as the Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School, High Altitude Warfare School, and the Army Air Defence College. It liaises with the National Cadet Corps (India), the Services Selection Board (India), and the Military Nursing Service for entry-level and professional development pipelines, while coordinating inter-service courses with the Naval War College (India) and the Air Force Administrative College.
ARTRAC is responsible for drafting and updating doctrines, field manuals, and training syllabi that reflect lessons from conflicts such as the Sino-Indian War, the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, and multinational peacekeeping missions under United Nations peacekeeping operations. It designs courses for tactical units, staff colleges, and leadership academies incorporating studies on asymmetric warfare, counter-terrorism, and network-centric warfare concepts gleaned from partnerships with the United States Department of Defense, the Ministry of Home Affairs (India), and research inputs from institutions like the Centre for Land Warfare Studies. Curriculum development involves collaboration with universities including University of Madras, University of Pune, and technical institutes like Indian Institute of Science to integrate technology, logistics, and human factors.
ARTRAC plans and evaluates major exercises such as national-level wargames comparable to Exercise Vajra Prahar, Exercise Yudh Abhyas, and multinational exchanges like Exercise Malabar and Exercise Hand-in-Hand, while incorporating lessons from operations including Operation Blue Star aftermath assessments and counterinsurgency campaigns in Manipur and Assam. The command develops scenarios for joint manoeuvres with the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force and conducts simulation-driven exercises that replicate campaigns like Battle of Longewala and strategic contingencies considered during debates in the Parliament of India and analyses by the Observer Research Foundation.
ARTRAC directs the establishment and use of simulation facilities, virtual ranges, and wargaming suites drawing on technologies supplied by agencies such as the DRDO, collaborations with vendors from Bharat Electronics Limited, and partnerships with research centres including the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics. Facilities include instrumented ranges, tactical simulation centres, and live-virtual-constructive environments used to train units operating systems like the Arjun MBT, T-90 tank, HAL Dhruv, and integrated air defence platforms such as the Akash (missile) system. ARTRAC also integrates logistics and maintenance training using platforms developed by National Institute of Technology Calicut and engages with international firms involved in simulation technology demonstrated at forums like the DefExpo.