APPLICATION OF OP ART IN MOOTW CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES,
Challenges in MOOTW
1. Analysis of case studies as mentioned in Chapter 2 determines that tenets of Op Art are applicable in MOOTW as in conventional warfare. The definition of MOOTW provides a clear indication of the high degree of influence of the political element in comparison to a conventional operation, which can lead to far greater restraints being placed on the operational commander. In addition, one have far great intangible objectives, an ill-defined and more elusive opponent, longer duration conflict and a significantly different operational environment that may range from urban to deeply isolated jungle operations. Further, MOOTW may be conducted within Further, the broad concepts of operational art (operational design, leadership and training, principles of war etc.) apply in general to all operations regardless of their size or nature. Beyond these fundamental similarities however, significant differences exist in the detailed operational approach taken to conduct MOOTW from that undertaken to conduct conventional warfare operations. Accordingly, the operational art developed and utilised for MOOTW should have as a foundation, the basic components of conventional operational art, but should build upon it a structure tailored to the unique and specific challenges of MOOTW.
Tangibles and Intangible Factors
3. The tangible and intangible factors of MOOTW which distinguish it from conventional operations with emphasis on elements of planning and execution of MOOTW are enumerated below:-
(a) Tangibles. These encompass those elements which can be quantified and are easily The importance of physical mobility during the initial deployment phase as well as during the conflict is apparent in all three case studies. The capability of a force to move effectively before, during, and after combat in relation to or in comparison with the hostile force is extremely important. In a conventional war, the decision to mobilise forces is either pre-emptive or reactionary. Thus, the situation builds up over a certain period of time. Consequently the planner has the time to think and deploy his forces. However, in MOOTW one generally operates under a time constraint as it was observed during Op Cactus, where the forces were deployed in quick time as the situation demanded the same. Since the decision for employment depends on situations which have built up rapidly and or the government takes a decision in a hasty manner bearing in mind the reaction the decision will generate on the national populace and the media across the globe. In both the cases, the planner does not have much time but has to respect the decision of the government and employ his available forces in the best possible manner to achieve the desired end
