India to deploy Integrated Battle Groups to counter China days after border truce

The Indian Army is stepping up its efforts to counter China’s increasing military presence along the border with a new tactical response, the Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs). According to sources, the draft proposal for IBG formation has already been sent to the government and the implementation could begin as early as 2025.
This comes after India, on October 21, announced that it reached an agreement with China on patrolling along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), marking a breakthrough in ending the over four-year-long military standoff, which began following the deadly clashes between the troops of both countries in June 2020 in Galwan Valley.
Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi has confirmed the IBG initiative, saying that these units will bolster India’s strategic readiness in response to China’s restructured forces.
China has reorganised its military zones into five theatre commands, with the Western Theatre Command specifically overseeing operations near the Indian border. This command structure includes both ground and air forces stationed along the border, providing a rapid response capability.
Additionally, China has transformed several of its divisions into Combined Armed Brigades (CABs) to enhance operational cohesion and combat effectiveness. According to defence experts, India’s IBGs are intended to match and counterbalance this growing Chinese presence.
India has been preparing IBGs to operate in high-altitude combat scenarios, with the 17th Mountain Corps based in Panagarh likely to become the first to incorporate this structure. According to sources, the proposal includes plans to create five IBGs within this Corps.
After the 17th Mountain Corps, the 9th Corps in the Central Sector is expected to follow suit. While there is an initial plan for four IBGs in this Corps, government approval for two is anticipated in the coming months.
The primary aim of an IBG is to consolidate India’s military assets – infantry, armoured, artillery and aviation units – under a single command to streamline response times and coordination. Modelled after the American military structure, each IBG will be commanded by a two-star general, with each group comprising 5,500 to 6,000 personnel.
These units will be equipped with infantry combat vehicles, tanks, artillery, and helicopters, enabling them to operate as fully integrated battle units ready to engage on both the Chinese and Pakistani borders under any conditions.
Currently, various combat units – infantry, artillery and tank regiments – operate as separate entities and come together only during wartime. However, IBGs will unify these forces, training and working together even in peacetime. The goal is to eliminate the need for extended deployment and movement times across different areas, which will allow these units to operate as rapid-response forces.
Defence analysts highlight that this IBG formation, with its multi-disciplinary teams, is expected to reduce operational delays and increase response time by eliminating an entire command layer. The IBGs will receive orders directly from the Corps, bypassing the divisional level, making the system more agile and efficient.
Each IBG will be tailored according to the geographical and operational needs of its deployment area. In regions with good road infrastructure, the IBG may require less construction support, while in remote deserts, logistical support for roadbuilding and engineering will be crucial. The 17th Mountain Corps, for instance, conducted its first combat exercise near the China border a few years ago under the code name “Him Vijay”, where the IBG concept was also tested.
On the other side, China has been rapidly restructuring its People’s Liberation Army (PLA) forces. Sources said that the PLA has converted four divisions in the Xinjiang Military District – the 4th Mechanised Infantry Division and the 6th, 8th and 11th Motorised Infantry Divisions – into CABs, integrating multiple components of their forces.
China’s objective with these CABs is to strengthen its combat and firepower capabilities on the eastern side of Ladakh, a move aimed at amplifying its mechanized infantry, air defence and logistical strength.
The composition of a CAB typically includes four combined arms battalions, reconnaissance, artillery, air defence, combat support and combat service battalions, which significantly boosts their operational effectiveness in mountainous and high-altitude areas.
Defence experts emphasise that the IBGs will be a significant addition to India’s defence strategy, enhancing mobility and readiness across both the western and eastern borders.
A senior defence analyst said, “With IBGs, India can respond faster and more effectively to any potential threat along the China and Pakistan borders, improving our tactical response and reducing our dependency on traditional and slower command structures.”
China’s swift development of CABs near the border is a concerning factor for India, but with the operationalisation of IBGs, New Delhi aims to maintain a strategic balance, bolstering defence capabilities for the years to come.