As Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi Reviews Strike One Corps, How Prepared are we for a Two-Front War?

Mathura, India – Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi visited Strike One Corps on March 6, 2025, where he assessed the formation’s operational preparedness and participated in the Capability Development Conference. His visit comes at a time of growing regional tensions, particularly along the Northern Borders, reinforcing India’s focus on high-readiness military formations capable of executing decisive operations.

Strike One Corps, headquartered in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, is one of the most formidable offensive formations in the Indian Army. Established on April 1, 1965, it has played a decisive role in major conflicts, including the Indo-Pakistani Wars of 1965 and 1971. It was instrumental in the Battle of Basantar, where Indian forces executed a deep thrust into enemy territory, securing vital ground.

In contemporary warfare, Strike One Corps is India’s principal strike force, designed to execute rapid, high-intensity operations in a full-scale war scenario. Unlike defensive formations tasked with holding ground, Strike Corps formations are structured to launch deep offensives, disrupt enemy defences, and achieve swift territorial gains.

Strategic Role in a Conflict Scenario and Potential Deployment in a Two-Front War

In the event of an armed conflict, Strike One Corps would spearhead India's offensive strategy, particularly against Pakistan. The Corps is equipped with armoured divisions, mechanized infantry, long-range artillery, and integrated air-defence assets, enabling it to execute high-speed, mechanized thrusts deep into enemy-held areas.

With increasing security concerns along the LAC in Ladakh, Strike One Corps was reassigned from South Western Command to Northern Command in 2021. This shift reflects India’s evolving military strategy, recognizing the growing threat from China.

If tensions along the LAC escalate, Strike One Corps could play a critical role in:

• Counteroffensive Operations – Responding to incursions by China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) with rapid deployment and force projection.
• High-Altitude Warfare – Conducting mountain-strike operations, leveraging specialized armoured units and long-range precision firepower.
• Integrated Air-Land Battle – Utilizing air support, UAV surveillance, and cyber-electronic warfare capabilities to gain battlefield superiority.

To maintain its combat readiness, Strike One Corps conducts Exercise Parvat Prahaar (Mountain Strike) in high-altitude, rugged terrain conditions along the LAC. The drills incorporate tanks, self-propelled artillery (including K-9 Vajra T howitzers), integrated air-defence systems, and precision strike capabilities, simulating real warfighting scenarios. The 2022 and 2024 editions of the exercise reinforced India’s preparedness for high-altitude mechanized warfare.

Massive Mobilization in Ladakh

With ongoing border tensions with China, reports indicate that Strike One Corps deployed 500+ Main Battle Tanks (T-90 Bhishma & T-72 Ajeya), 50,000 Troops in Eastern Ladakh and Integrated Mechanized and Artillery Formations.

This deployment underscores India's strategy of maintaining offensive deterrence, ensuring that any provocation is met with a swift and decisive response.

Beyond domestic preparedness, COAS General Dwivedi is actively engaging with global military leaders. Recently, he delivered a keynote address at École de Guerre, the prestigious French Joint Staff College, where he outlined India’s strategic overview and regional security dynamics to an audience of 98 officers from 68 countries.