2 Independent Rifle Company,

11th Gorkha Rifles

 

“The Lieutenant’s dead, Saab!”

 

Naib-Subedar Sally Thapa winced, but there hadn’t really been any doubt about it, the culvert bomb had blown the lead Grasskat apart and not so incidentally trapped the two Tirats beyond it. At the same time some kind of LAW had blown the last load carrier in the convoy onto its side, trapping all thirty trucks, and B Platoon, between the cliff face and the gulley. Abandoned trucks were slewed willy-nilly across the road as their civvie drivers took cover in the ditches on both sides of the road from the ragged, but accurate, fire and occasional grenades raining down from the Pushtun separatists in the rocks above. Her men were firing back, as were the crews of the surviving Grasskats, but the angles in the rock defile were extreme and as usual the high ground had the advantage.

 

“Bugger this,” Sally muttered, then keyed her ISS.

 

“Tango One, get that wreck over the side of the road. Two Two Charlie, suppress those sods up there. Two Two Delta, get those civvies back into their trucks and turned around – don’t take no for an answer. Two Three and Two Four, you’re with me.”

 

She flipped momentarily to the company net.

 

“Command, this is Two Zero Bravo. We’re engaged and pinned in place, preparing to break out. Convoy will extract to the rear covered by the Grasskats, Tirats will extract forward. Rendezvous and regroup at point Echo.”

 

She glanced around, saw the men of 3 and 4 Sections waiting for her orders. She reached down, unconsciously touching the kukri hung at her side, then nodded at the rocks where the heaviest concentration of fire originated.

 

“Two Three on the left, Two Four on the right. Let’s be amongst them.”

Death in High Places,

Lauren Tailyour,

       Armories Press US, 2302

 

In addition to the infantry battalions of the Independent Gorkha Rifles, a number of smaller units exist within the organisation, specialising in more esoteric tasks such as close protection, or in conventional tasks where a full battalion would be overkill. The smaller teams are parented by 1st Battalion, 11th Gorkha Rifles, but a number of independent company groups exist. These Company Groups form a notional (and very overstrength) 2nd Battalion to the 11th although there is no battalion level infrastructure to support them and each company maintains separate accounts. 2 Independent Rifle Company Group is one of these units, a conventional Infantry Company Group that has developed a specialism in Internal Security and particularly in Lines of Communication Security, Route Opening and Convoy Escort.

 

While still capable of operating within the forward battlespace, 2 Company is rarely called to do so. For a Government Employer its speciality allows their own teeth units to be concentrated in the frontline. For a Non-Governmental Organisation 2 Company is a massive improvement over the gunmen and thugs they must so often hire their security from.

 

2 Company’s organisation is intended to generate three platoon-sized Escort/Security Groups, while the fourth rifle platoon provides laager security and a reaction force using the fast moving Fusilier HIFVs. Each Escort/Security Group consists of one of the Grasskat platoons reinforced with a pair of Tirats from Patrols Platoon and a Grasskat Logistics Vehicle from the Technical Support Platoon configured with dozer blade, winch and crane as an engineering/recovery vehicle.

 

2 Company has spent the past two decades in and around the Indian Sub-Continent, the last five years working for the Afghani central government in the troubled Panjshir Valley region. That contract ended in early 2303 and the company is currently at the IGR Depot at Pokhara in Nepal where it is rumoured to be working up for a deployment on the French Arm, with the smart money saying that they will be responsible for the security of Zapamoga’s efforts on Nous Voila.

 

Index
Heritage
Company Structure
Personal Weapons and Equipment
Doctrine and Tactics
Equipment
Vehicals
Personalities
Acknowledgements

 

Heritage

 

As part of the Independent Gorkha Rifles and more particularly 11th Gorkha Rifles, 2 Independent Company Group follows Indian Army rather than British Army traditions. There are many similarities between the two, but there are a few significant differences, most notably in rank structure and titles, and particularly in the existence of Junior Commissioned Officers, who are unique to those armies tracing their heritage to the British Indian Army. JCOs function is some ways similarly to Warrant Officers in other armies, but are typically part of the command structure of their units rather than technical specialists. In particular platoons are normally commanded by a Naib-Subedar. Commissioned Officer Ranks and titles parallel the British Army structure exactly, JCO and NCO ranks are given in the tables below, note that the Indian infantry and cavalry formations use different titles for the same ranks. As an Independent Company not all ranks are present within 2 Independent Rifle Company, and the Gurkhas retain the British Rifleman title for their private soldiers rather than the Indian Sepoy/Sowar.

 

Junior Commissioned Officer Ranks

 

Rank

Typical PosITION

Subedar-Major

Senior JCO within a battalion

Subedar

Company Adjutant

Naib-Subedar

Platoon Commander

 

Non-Commissioned Ranks

 

British Army Rank

Indian Army Rank (Infantry/Cavalry)

Typical PosITION

Regimental Sergeant Major

Regimental Havildar Major /Regimental Daffadar Major

RSM

Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant

Regimental Quarter Master Havildar /Regimental Quarter Master Daffadar

RQMS

Company Sergeant Major

Company Havildar Major /Squadron Daffadar Major

CSM

Company Quartermaster Sergeant

Company Quarter Master Havildar /Squadron Quarter Master Daffadar

CQMS

Sergeant

Havildar / Daffadar

Platoon 2i/c

Corporal

Naik / Lance Daffadar

Section Commander

Lance Corporal

Lance Naik /Acting Lance Daffadar

Fireteam Commander

Private

Sepoy / Sowar

Soldier

 

IGR promotion policy for non-commissioned personnel demands that wherever possible no two consecutive appointments should be outside of a rifle section. Vehicle and heavy weapons crewmen must therefore switch back to rifleman roles in order to win promotion, a policy that is held to reinforce the identity of the IGR units as infantrymen first.

 

Corporate Affairs

 

Despite their reputation as fighting men, the Independent Gorkha Rifles are at their core a business. A business that is a military unit and a business with substantial governmental backing, true, but still a business subject to the tyranny of the balance sheet. The IGR as a whole is loosely modelled on the Korean Chaebol structure, the battalions and other sub-units forming a cooperating group of independent, like-minded corporations. Each unit functions as a corporation in its own right, but the IGR as a whole provides a range of services that might be beyond the resources of the unit alone. These are arranged through the non-profit IGR Trust, which provides such facilities as accountancy and auditing, manages the IGR’s physical estate such as the IGR Depot at Pokhara and also runs various charitable and support organisations such as the Family Affairs Bureau and the IGR Pension Fund. The IGR Trust also functions as a finance house to support capital acquisitions by the individual units, being able to provide upfront finances that allow IGR units to deal with defence contractors on a similar footing to national defence ministries. The Trust is well respected on the financial markets and is able to acquire funding on advantageous terms that banks and venture capitalists would never offer directly to something as risk-laden as a mercenary unit. Behind the day-to-day operations of the IGR Trust is the Government of Nepal, which takes a hands-off approach, but acts as the ultimate guarantor of IGR finances.

 

Precise corporate structures vary, but most IGR units have a governing board of corporate officers that functions separately to, but in cooperation with, the chain of command. In operational matters the chain of command takes primacy, but in contractual and other financial matters the board assumes leadership. Ownership of the units is usually vested in shareholders with a share capital that is restricted to current and former unit members, the IGR Trust and the government of Nepal. Both the IGR Trust and the government of Nepal hold so-called Golden Shares able to outvote all other shares no matter the actual financial balance of the shareholdings. These provide the units’ ultimate backers with veto rights to ensure that the reputation of the IGR is never compromised.

 

The corporate board of 2 Company consists of the commanding officer, the second in command, the senior JCO, the Company Havildar Major, the Company Quartermaster Havildar and two elected representatives from the rank and file of the unit. Corporate offices are allocated between the board members as they choose, though by convention the CO is chairman of the board and the CQMH is company secretary. The IGR Regimental Council, IGR Trust and Government of Nepal are eligible to appoint non-voting observers to the board (however the Golden Shares held by the IGR Trust and the Nepalese government make the non-voting proviso strictly a technicality). Company accounts are audited on an annual basis by independent auditors appointed by the IGR Trust.

 

2 Company’s finances are currently in relatively stable form, but most excess income beyond day-to-day operating costs goes to service the loan taken out with the IGR Trust to fund the Grasskat re-equipment programme.

 

Pipers and Priests

 

Nepal is still a country where religion is firmly enshrined in daily life and the company matches the society it recruits from. Fully eighty percent of the company are practising Hindus (though with the Buddhist and animist elements common to the various Nepalese forms of the religion). Hindu ceremonies are a traditional part of Gurkha life and Gurkha units of battalion strength normally contain a Hindu priest. As an independent company-sized formation 2 Company would not normally contain a priest within its TOE, but by long standing arrangement the company provides half the funds to provide one from discretionary funding while the remainder is made up from a voluntary levy on salaries.

 

One Gurkha tradition that originated with the British rather than being brought from Nepal was the use of pipers as part of regimental bands (the traditional bugles and drums of rifle regiments are also used). 2 Company is too small to maintain a permanent band, but several members of the company are proficient musicians and when the need presents the company can turn out a small but impressive contingent of pipers, buglers and drummers in full ceremonial white uniforms.

 

Home Leave

 

Given the traditional overseas postings of Gurkha units and the importance of the family in Nepali life, provision is made for extended home leave of five months every three years. In other years local leave provision is more typical of non-Gurkha units. 2 Company rarely serves in locations where it is possible or advisable for the family of married company members to live locally, but the IGR Trust maintains an extensive Family Affairs Bureau to provide assistance where necessary.

 

Languages

 

The operational language of the company is Gurkhali, though all Officers and JCOs are fluent English speakers, as are many of the NCOs and enlisted men. Various Nepali dialects and sub-languages are also spoken informally by those who grew up speaking them, but never during operations. A considerable portion of the company personnel also speak Hindustani, Hindi, Urdu or other languages from the sub-Continent to greater or lesser degree. After their last posting most of the men can also make themselves understood in Pushtun.

 

Personal Fitness

 

Gurkha units have an unparalleled reputation for personal fitness. 2 Company, on the other hand, spends most of its time riding around in vehicles. The potential for the men to fall short of the legendary capabilities of the average Gurkha obviously exists and in the past this has occasionally been the case. However, since Major Rai took over failure to meet fitness standards has no longer been tolerated. Each and every man and woman of the company must pass the standardised fitness tests of the British Army Brigade of Gurkhas, and they must do it on a quarterly basis, not the annual testing preferred by most other units. If the fitness test is failed then the Gurkha is given a fortnight to prepare for a retest. If the second test is failed then he or she will be dismissed from the company and shipped back to Nepal. Even the possibility of this is considered so shameful that each platoon takes a collective responsibility in ensuring that all of its personnel can pass the test. Subedar Thapa, a qualified fitness instructor, has taken it upon herself to personally coach the most marginal cases, such as Doctor Gurung.

 

INDEX

 

Company Structure

 

Authorised company establishment is 5 officers, 8 JCOs and 275 NCOs and men, and 47 vehicles. This is very large in comparison to a typical, non-independent company, but not extraordinarily so for independent formations. However, the company is rarely at full strength during extended operations, with up to 15% of men on home leave at any one time. Whenever possible the company will recruit to up to 25 men above its establishment in order to cover for men on home leave with supernumerary personnel.

 

The company comprises an HQ platoon, four rifle platoons, a patrols platoon, support platoon and technical support platoon. The five direct combat platoons (Rifle and Patrols) are trained to operate in half-platoon multiples where required (or two vehicle pairs in the case of the Patrols Platoon).

 

HQ Platoon

 

Vehicles (5)

FV8464 Grasskat-CP Command Vehicle * 2

FV846(MA) Grasskat IFV * 1

Hover Rover 350 GS * 2

 

Personnel (39)

Company CO (Major) + Signaller (Naik)

Company 2i/c (Captain) + Signaller (Naik)

Platoon commander (Subedar)

Company Havildar Major

Vehicle Crew (3* Naik, 4 * Rifleman)

Company Command Staff (2 * Havildar, 3 * Lance Naik, 5 * Rifleman)

Rifle section (1 * Havildar, 1 * Naik, 2 * Lance Naik, 4 * Rifleman) * 2

 

HQ Platoon is configured for the control of widely scattered Escort/Security Groups and given the largely fixed-base nature of company operations includes extensive tentage and additional C4 systems with the company train to allow it to expand beyond the limited space of the command vehicles whenever feasible. Given the distance at which Escort/Security Groups may be operating from the company laager the platoon includes one Grasskat-C configured as a Signals vehicle with full satellite uplink/downlink capability in addition to long range voice and datalinks. A Grasskat IFV provides the CO with the ability to lead from the front during conventional engagements as well as carrying his bodyguard team and personal signaller, while the Company 2i/c mans the fixed command post. Two Hover Rovers are provided for liaison roles. The HQ Platoon itself is commanded by a Subedar who also functions as Company Adjutant, with the Company Havildar Major functioning as his senior NCO. Two infantry sections provide both close protection of the HQ area and the CO’s bodyguard team.

 

 

Rifle Platoon (Grasskat) * 3

 

Vehicles (4)

FV846(MA) Grasskat  IFV * 2

FV8461(MA) Grasskat  APC * 2

 

Personnel (46)

Platoon Commander (Lieutenant) + Signaller (Naik)

Platoon 2i/c (Naib-Subedar) + Runner (Lance-Naik)

Vehicle Crew (4 * Naik, 6 * Rifleman)

Rifle section (1 * Naik, 1 * Lance Naik, 6 * Rifleman) * 4

 

A, B and C platoons are configured as the core of Escort/Security Groups with Grasskats in the Medium Armour configuration. The two FV8461s are allocated to the platoon commander and platoon sergeant and have been upgraded with a low-cost satcoms suite to allow continued contact with the company laager even in the face of communications jamming or geographical difficulties. The Medium Armour configuration was selected for the Grasskats in the expectation that most contacts would consist of close-in engagements against opponents with light anti-vehicle armaments (i.e. ambushes by irregular forces) rather than the possibility of engaging heavy main force fighting vehicles at longer ranges. Because the Escort/Security Groups will typically be operating at considerable distance from the company commander they are extremely officer heavy by IGR and Indian Army standards, with a Lieutenant commanding and a Naib-Subedar in the role that would typically be filled by the platoon Havildar. B Platoon currently diverges from strict TOE in being commanded by Subedar Thapa.

 

Rifle Platoon (Fusilier)

 

Vehicles (4)

FV735 Fusilier HIFV * 4

 

Personnel (48)

Platoon Commander (Naib-Subedar) + Signaller (Naik)

Platoon 2i/c (Havildar) + Runner (Lance-Naik)

Vehicle Crew (4 * Naik, 8 * Rifleman)

Rifle section (1 * Naik, 1 * Lance Naik, 6 * Rifleman) * 4

 

D platoon is configured as a reaction force in order to provide rapid support to any Escort/Security Group that becomes engaged in an incident from which it is unable to extract itself. It is recognised that tilt-rotor gunships and transports would be even faster reacting, but tilt-rotors would require too extensive a support infrastructure to be feasible within the company structure, even if they were affordable. When not responding to emergency situations the platoon provides the core of the company laager‘s defences. The platoon’s Fusiliers are now somewhat elderly, but the Grasskat purchase has left little money available for further vehicle upgrades.

 

Patrols Platoon

Vehicles (8)

FV 8423(MA) Tirat-S Security Vehicle * 8

 

Personnel (40)

Vehicle Crew (Naib-Subedar, 3 * Havildar, 4 * Naik, 16 * Rifleman)

Dismounted Scout Team (Lance-Naik, Rifleman) * 4

Guided Weapon Team (Lance-Naik, Rifleman) * 4

 

Patrols Platoon uses two vehicle multiples of Tirat-S Security Vehicles to add a potent punch to Escort/Security Groups. The ‘spare’ pair of vehicles provides an independent patrolling capability or can be used to augment D Platoon as part of the Reaction Force. Like the Rifle Platoons’ Grasskats, the Medium Armour configuration was selected. The loss in mobility from the heavier configuration was accepted as it was recognised that in most circumstances the Tirats would be limited by the low speed of the heavy logistics vehicles they would be escorting. One vehicle of each pair carries a dismounted scout team, the second a guided weapon team. The platoon organisation leaves two free dismount positions in each vehicle that can be used as circumstances demand.

 

Support Platoon

Vehicles (8)

FV 8465 Grasskat-MC Mortar Carrier * 2

Hover Rover 350 WMR * 4

Hover Rover 350 DC * 2

 

Personnel (30)

Platoon Commander (Naib-Subedar) + Signaller (Naik)

Platoon Sergeant (Havildar) + Runner (Lance-Naik)

Mortar Section (Havildar, Naik, 2 * Lance Naik, 4 * Rifleman)

Direct Fire Section (Havildar, 3 * Naik, 8 * Rifleman)

Aviation Section (Havildar, Naik, 4 * Rifleman)

 

Support Platoon is divided into Direct Fire, Indirect Fire and Aviation sections and primarily charged with defence of the company laager. Indirect Fire Section operate a pair of Grasskat Mortar Carriers armed with clip-fed L55A2 120mm Mortars, Direct Fire section operates 4 Hover Rover 350s in the Weapon Mounted Recce configuration and fitted with the Lightweight Powered Cupola. Standard armament for the Rovers is a VR-5 on the front pintle mount with a VR-8 grenade launcher and two Marut AVMs on the LPC. Aviation section operate 2 Hover Rover 350s in the Drone Control configuration each equipped with 4 Vrikshaka Patrol Drones.

 

Technical Support Platoon

 

Vehicles (10)

FV8462 Mod 4/5 (MA) Grasskat-L Logistics Vehicle * 4

AT8 Hover Logistics Vehicle * 3

Hover Rover 350 GS Liaison Vehicle * 2

Hover Rover 350 Ambulance * 1

 

Personnel (44)

Platoon Commander (Subedar) + Signaller (Naik)

Engineering Section (4 * Havildar, 8 * Rifleman)

Technical Section (1 * Havildar, 2 * Naik, 3 * Lance-Naik, 6 * Rifleman)

Medical Section (1 * Surgeon (JCO), 1 * Naik, 5 * Rifleman)

QM Section (CQMH, 3 * Naik, 2 * Lance-Naik, 5 * Rifleman)

 

Technical Support Platoon is responsible for providing the Combat Service Support needs of the company and the lack of higher echelon units to draw from means that it needs both its own workshops and the personnel to run them. The platoon is organised as four sections.

 

Engineering Section runs the four Grasskat-Ls which are in a hybrid combat engineering/recovery configuration. Normally three of the Grasskats are dispersed with the Escort/Security Groups to provide on-the-spot engineering/recovery capability to convoys, while the fourth vehicle is retained at the company laager as the Platoon Commander’s vehicle.

 

Technical Section is responsible for keeping the company’s electronic and mechanical equipment and weapons running and operates three AT-8 compatible Modular Offloadable System shelters, one configured as an electronics workshop, one as a mechanical workshop and the third in a flatbed recovery vehicle configuration. Several Technical Section personnel are qualified armourers and capable of field maintenance of all weapons used by the company.

 

Medical Section operates one MOS configured as a Field Surgical Centre and an ambulance configured Hover Rover. All personnel are trained as paramedical orderlies and have the basic knowledge necessary to stabilise patients until Doctor Gurung can get to them. The company priest, who is not technically part of the company’s active duty strength, will typically station himself with the medical team during emergencies and provide such help as he is able.

 

QM Section is commanded by the Company Quartermaster Havildar and operates three MOS compatible AT8s in load carrier configuration and a pair of Hover Rovers that are used for general liaison duties. The section additionally holds two MOS shelters and several 25,000 litre POL blivets. One MOS is used as an armoury, the second is divided into two sections, the smaller holds a hydrogen cracking plant while the larger provides a a climate controlled environment for any stores that require it. At times the QM Section MOS have also been used as overspill office space for HQ Section. The AT8s are used both for general logistics purposes and, using Technical Section’s recovery flatbed, in the heavy recovery role for Hover-Rovers damaged too heavily to be recovered by towing. Recovery of the heavier vehicles within the company inventory is usually accomplished by winching them onto a heavy recovery trailer (also held by Technical Section) and towing them out behind one or more Grasskat-Ls. During moves of the company laager the AT8s are also used to transport the platoon’s six MOS shelters. As this requires offloading the flatbeds prior to picking up the MOS shelters any move using the AT8s alone will require at least three trips, and even then only if the POL blivets are transported empty. However many civilian vehicles are MOS compatible and it is standard practice to hire additional civilian MT whenever possible.

 

INDEX

 

Personal Weapons and Equipment

 

All personnel within the company are issued a Darra Arms B-83 Assault Rifle. The Pakistani built B-83 bears a considerable resemblance to the old British Colonial Service Rifle and is chambered for the same 7.5x37mm Caseless round. Officers, JCOs and vehicle crews are also issued with the Ishapore Arsenal Chakra Close Defence Weapon in 9x24mm Caseless. All personnel carry both a standard combat knife/bayonet and a kukri.

 

Each Rifle Section is additionally issued with one VR5 SAW, a Grafton Arms L43A5 Light Support Weapon, two UG-83 clip-on 30mm grenade launchers and two Darra Arms Model 90 Sonic Stunners. Lathi riot canes are available for all company personnel but are normally stored on or in vehicles unless a crowd control problem is anticipated. A single Bangalore Dynamics Marut AVM is held in each Grasskat or Fusilier of the rifle platoons. One B-83 in Designated Marksman format is held by each of the rifle platoons. Dismounted Scout Teams are issued with a Type 83 DMR and two silenced Chakras. Guided Weapons Teams are issued with six Maruts.

 

Personal equipment comprises the Indian Army’s Moghul Warrior Integrated Soldier System, this is roughly equivalent to the British Army’s old Combat System 75. Body armour is integrated into the uniform design, but is a separate item and may be worn or not as the situation demands. All personal loadbearing equipment mounts to an assault vest via a quick release system. The gear is a modular design and individual riflemen are allowed to determine the precise configuration that suits them best. The standard helmet is a Mysorean design originally intended for police tactical squads. This combines a helmet shell, night vision optics and communications gear with a drop-down riot visor that covers the full face. An add-on flexible gorget seals to the neck of the uniform blouse and to the lower edge of the helmet and incorporates filters giving full protection against riot gases and limited protection against CBW agents. However the traditional slouch hat is preferred to the helmet under all but active combat conditions.

 

INDEX

 

Doctrine and Tactics

 

Route Opening

 

Route Opening is essentially a counter-ambush technique, but not one popular with the troops who must carry it out. Given a route that must be opened to friendly traffic, and a potential threat, a small force is sent along the highway to rout out the ambushers if possible, and to draw their fire if not. More than one trooper has referred to it as ‘driving around wearing a sign saying shoot me now’. 2 Company uses a reinforced Escort/Security Group for these missions, which are considered to have a high risk of enemy contact. The lead element of the sweep is a fast pass by a Vrikshaka drone along the entire route (often several different routes will be surveyed by the Vrikshaka to avoid absolutely confirming the path of the patrol in advance). This is followed by the main body of the sweep consisting of a Rifle Platoon in Grasskats reinforced by two Tirat pairs with a Vrikshaka orbiting overhead. Where practical, only one Tirat pair will use the road, with the remainder of the force paralleling the route 100-250 metres to the side. This exposes the minimum part of the force to IEDs while allowing likely firing positions to be approached from unexpected directions. Following behind the main force at a distance of two to four miles and tasked as a counter-ambush force will be a two vehicle multiple from the Fusilier platoon (or the full platoon if it can be spared or if the threat is particularly high) together with a Grasskat-MC for immediate fire support and a Grasskat-L for engineering support.

 

Lines of Communications Security

 

LoC Security is in many ways a variation on Route Opening, and has also been described as ‘convoy escort without the convoy’. Essentially it consists of patrolling the existing lines of security, checking for IEDs or mines, making sure that no ambushing force has established itself and carrying out random vehicle checks.

 

The standard force for a LoC Security mission is a two vehicle multiple from a Rifle Platoon (generally Grasskat, but occasionally Fusilier) supported by two Tirats and usually, but not always, a Grasskat-L. A Vrikshaka pass is the usual lead element and will be followed by the patrol with one Tirat leading followed by the Grasskats, with the second Tirat ranging out to the flanks. Occasionally a second Tirat pair will be tasked to follow the main patrol at a varying distance, often cued by a Vrikshaka orbiting at high altitude and tasked with intercepting any suspects who went to ground while the main patrol was passing.

 

Convoy Escort

 

Convoy Escort is the company’s meat and potatoes, the task they are contracted for more often than not. The archetypal Escort/Security Group is used for these missions, with a full Grasskat platoon supported by a two vehicle Tirat multiple and a Grasskat-L for engineering support. In addition to these is of course the convoy. This can range from lows of ten or so vehicles up to more than fifty, for particularly large convoys the company will try to assign more than one Escort/Security Group, but this is rarely possible.

 

As is standard a Vrikshaka pass will precede the convoy. This will be followed by a single Tirat acting as IED security and running some 250 metres in advance of the lead Grasskat, usually the platoon commander’s vehicle and usually paired with the Grasskat-L in case of the need to remove any obstacles. The convoy will follow the Grasskats with the vehicles ideally at a 50 to 100 metre separation. A single Grasskat, usually the Naib-Subedar’s will bring up the rear. The remaining two Grasskats of the rifle platoon will vary their position within the convoy on a random basis, making it difficult for an ambushing force to pick a particular point to strike in advance. The remaining Tirat will act as a ‘rover’, randomly varying its position within a 5km radius of the column. Ridgelines that allow an overwatch position for large segments of the route are particularly favoured. A Vrikshaka will range over a larger radius from the convoy to give advanced warning of any force moving in the open.

 

If any civilian vehicles approach the convoy then the action taken will depend on the current threat level. In a low threat environment the vehicle will be allowed to pass by, in a medium threat environment it will be directed to pull over onto the verge while the convoy passes and usually identities will be checked. In a high-threat environment the vehicle may be fired on if it approaches aggressively and if not it will be directed to pull at least 50m clear of the road while the convoy passes. Identity checks and a vehicle search are also likely.

 

Whenever an Escort/Security Group is engaged in convoy escort the full Fusilier platoon will be retained at 5 minutes readiness to move to act as a relief force in the event of an attack. If a convoy has to operate at considerable distance from the company laager the Fusilier platoon may be deployed to an intermediate position to reduce their reaction time.

 

In the event that a convoy is ambushed, company doctrine is to pin the ambushers in place while waiting for the Fusilier platoon to arrive and surround them. This somewhat aggressive approach recognises that an ambusher who escapes uninjured from an attack is likely to do it again and seeks to make sure that there are very few repeat offenders. If the Fusilier platoon is unable to respond in time the Tirats will be used to outflank and ideally enfilade the enemy force while the rifle platoon concentrates and then assaults on foot with the Grasskats providing fire support. If possible civilian drivers will be evacuated from the ambush zone while this is in progress, but this is a low priority tasking. Military drivers are expected to defend their vehicles.

 

If a convoy trip extends over several days the Escort/Security group will usually be reinforced with a two vehicle multiple from one of the other platoons and frequently with a Hover-Rover DC, the objective being to provide adequate security for the overnight laager. Wherever possible the convoy will overnight at or adjacent to a friendly position.

 

Crowd Control

 

Crowd Control is perhaps the most unpopular task that 2 Company undertakes. It is an unfortunate fact of life that crowds of people in need of the relief a convoy can bring may well turn unruly and even violent as they are overtaken by desperation (equally frequently the opposite reaction is true and the crowds may display tremendous dignity in their misfortune).  2 Company trains extensively for this role having formulated a three-element doctrine of its own to deal with it.

 

The first element of the doctrine is Sound Training, Major Rai believing that only through frequent and thorough training can a military force operate in a para-military role while minimizing the potential for civilian casualties. The second element of the doctrine is Implicit Threat. Implicit Threat is provided by deploying every available man on foot, backed by the vehicles (which can be used as physical barriers as well as psychological intimidation). Helmets and body armour will be worn, personal weapons will be carried, but slung until needed, and all personnel will carry lathis. Officers and havildars or designated substitutes will carry sonic stunners. Scouts and designated marksmen will occupy whatever high ground is available, the vehicles if nothing else, and provide a visible overwatch threat. Three levels of escalation are identified: Threat, which includes pushing and limited rock throwing; Riot, which includes extensive rock-throwing and concerted attempts to break the company’s line; and Life Threatening, which includes use of any kind of firearm or IED. Company doctrine authorises set responses for each level of escalation. Threat will be responded to passively, lathis will only be used to push protesters back from the line. Riot will be responded to more aggressively, lathis may be swung and sonic stunners may be used against ringleaders or if the crowd itself becomes a threat to life. Life Threatening levels of violence from individuals will be met by immediate counterfire against identified targets. Ideally this will come from personnel tasked with overwatch, but any Company trooper is authorised to fire if he believes life to be in danger.

 

Engagement is the final element of the doctrine and the Company’s plan to avoid escalation. All personnel have been trained to watch for and identify the leaders in a crowd. These may be respected elders, young firebrands, or natural leaders who don’t realise the example they set to others. Wherever possible identified leaders will be approached by officers or NCOs, with visors up or helmets off if at all possible, and engaged in discussion – even if this takes the form of shouting over the crowd. The simple concept is a variation on the Stockholm Syndrome and relies on the fact that people are less likely to be violent to someone they have formed a bond with, even if that bond is as simple as a moment or two of conversation, and recognises that a helmeted, visored soldier in combat armour may seem almost inhuman to a frightened mob. Major Rai is on record as saying that the ideal way to end a riot is for everyone to sit down and have a nice cup of tea, which might seem trite if people hadn’t seen him do it.

 

Laager Relocation

 

Moving the company laager is a considerable logistics exercise and so is done as infrequently as possible. Where the company’s employer is a national government the location and establishment of new laager sites will always be made in conjunction with the employer’s representatives, but where the employer is a corporate body or foundation 2 Company will retain control of site selection.

 

Essentially the operation is a combination of route-opening and convoy escort. An initial route-opening exercise will be carried out to allow a physical on-site survey for final confirmation of the site’s suitability by Technical Support Platoon and to establish an on-site presence. Once the initial presence has been established, the unit 2i/c and multiples from D and Support Platoons will relocate to the site to establish a perimeter and provide physical security while Engineering Section constructs bunkers, trenchlines and berms. Technical Platoon’s AT8s and any available civilian traffic will then be used to relocate the unit’s supplies from the old laager to the new. As the transfer proceeds the Patrol/Escort Groups and the CS and CSS assets will progressively shift their base of operations from the old laager to the new. As a final step the fixed defences of the old laager will be removed and the CO along with the remaining elements of D and Support platoons will relocate to the new site. Under ideal circumstances the old laager will be returned to the state it was in before it was occupied by the Company, where possible this task will be sub-contracted to local labour.

 

Where a civilian settlement exists in reasonable proximity to the new laager the company will expend considerable time in hearts and minds efforts to bring the locals on-side. This starts from the moment the route opening/site survey team first arrives with the preferred entry being with pipes, drums and buglers leading the vehicles in full parade whites.

 

INDEX

 

Equipment

 

Darra Arms B-83 Assault Rifle

 

The Darra Arms Bundook-83Assault Rifle bears an unmistakeable resemblance to the legendary British Colonial Service Rifle. This surprises no one, Darra Arms have a long history of producing near-clones of successful weapons and pricing them at a point guaranteed to make customers look twice at the original designer’s prices. Frequently this has led to Darra Arms being sued, but the company’s own designers are very good at making the design just sufficiently different that no intellectual property is technically violated. Darra Arms can also afford very, very proficient legal representation, so there is generally little point in attempting to sue them. Professional analysts hold that copying is simply a matter of tradition with Darra, which grew out of the informal consortia of Khyber Pass gunsmiths who turned out copies of the AK-47, AKSU, Lee-Enfield and other popular weapons from before Twilight until well into the 21st Century. The truth of the matter is that as often as not Darra can build a clone that is not just cheaper, but marginally better than the original.

 

The Bundook-83 is a classic example of this. The action of the rifle is a close copy of the original, but the physical proportions and balance of the weapon have been altered slightly and even experienced CSR users say it comes to the eye more smoothly than the original. Equally the sighting complex has been swapped out for one of Darra design, successfully combining a x4 sight with a x1.2 close combat optic, in a value engineered format that has proved at least as reliable in service as the original. Finally the magazine has been reworked and changed to a four stack, 50 round design giving 15 extra rounds on the gun. 35 round CSR magazines can freely be used on the B-83, but the B-83’s 50 round magazine may only be used on the CSR if it has been fitted with a Darra manufactured adaptor kit. The kits only cost Lv 25, but there are a lot of CSRs still in service and even small profits add up when made in large numbers.

 

The B-83 is the standard rifle of the Pakistani military and is also used in considerable numbers by Punjab, Nepal and Mysore, the last of which license built the design until switching to a home-designed binary model in the later 2290s. Outside of the sub-continent Armenia and Kenya are both users and Nigeria has negotiated a license production deal that also allows it to sell to West African nations, with Mali and Mauretania as acknowledged customers. Considerable numbers of unmarked B-83s have also been found in the hands of various separatists and bandits, from the Pushtun in Afghanistan to Berberan raiders. It is unclear which production facility these weapons originated from. The only known offworld sale was of 5000 rifles to Joi in 2300, but significant numbers of B-83s had been seen on Joi during the revolt and the DGSE has never completely dropped their suspicion that these may have been unlicenced copies from a Manchurian production plant.

 

Type: 7.5x37mm Caseless Assault Rifle

 

Country: Pakistan, in service with Pakistan, Punjab, Nepal, Mysore, Armenia, Kenya, Nigeria, Mali, Mauretania and Joi.

 

Weight: 3.9kg (unloaded)

Length: 82cm (Bulk = 3)

Action: Single Shots or Bursts

Ammunition: 7.5x37mm caseless ball

Muzzle Velocity: 900mps

Magazine: 50 rounds

Magazine Weight: 0.55kg

ROF: 3

Aimed Fire Range: 800m

Area Fire Burst: 10 rounds (AFV = 1)

Area Fire Range: 550m

DP Value: 0.9

Price: Lv480 (Lv2 for 100 round box, Lv 3 for empty 50 round magazine)

 

Darra Arms B-83 Designated Marksman Rifle

 

The Designated Marksman variant of the B-83 falls short of a true sniper rifle, but it replaces the existing sighting complex with an infinitely variable 8-power scope and adds a butt monopod to go with the existing bipod. The butt is additionally capable of taking spacers and recoil pads to perfectly fit it to the shooter and the standard 60cm barrel is replaced with a 75cm heavy barrel. A double set trigger completes the ensemble. A ten round magazine is available to reduce the weight of the weapon for paramilitary sniper usage, but the dominant use of the B-83 DMR is in the squad marksman role, where the standard fifty round magazine is preferred.

 

Type: 7.5x37mm Caseless Designated Marksmans Rifle

 

Country: Pakistan, in service with Punjab, Nepal, Mysore, Armenia, Kenya, Nigeria, Mali, Mauretania and Joi

 

Weight: 4.5kg (unloaded)

Length: 97cm (Bulk = 3)

Action: Single Shots or Bursts

Ammunition: 7.5x37mm caseless ball

Muzzle Velocity: 900mps

Magazine: 50 rounds

Magazine Weight: 0.55kg (10 round magazine: 0.2kg)

ROF: 3

Aimed Fire Range: 1000m

Area Fire Burst: 10 rounds (AFV = 1)

Area Fire Range: 550m

DP Value: 0.9

 

Price: Lv500 (Lv2 for 100 round box, Lv 2 for empty 10 round magazine, Lv 3 for empty 50 round magazine)

 

Darra Arms UG-83 Clip-On Grenade Launcher

 

The UG-83 is the standard clip-on grenade launcher of the Pakistani military. Originally designed as a part of the B-83 project, the UG-83 has ESA standard attachment points and is usable with most weapons on the market today. The UG-83 consists of an outer barrel and firing mechanism, into which is slotted a factory-packed three-round magazine/inner barrel. The inner barrel houses the three caseless grenades stored nose to tail with firing initiated electrically. While the grenades are standard (and functionally identical to British L6x series grenades) the propellant charges vary with the position of the grenade within the barrel, the first grenade in the barrel having a faster-burning propellant than the second, which has faster burning propellant than the third. This undoubtedly complicates manufacture, but the result is that all three grenades will exit the barrel with identical velocities and spin rates, giving ballistically matched trajectories.

 

The UG-83’s grenades are available as HE (equivalent to L63), HEAT (equivalent to L66), Flechette  (equivalent to L64) and WP (equivalent to L65), all supplied in three-round single type magazines.

 

Type: 30mm Grenade Lancher

 

Country: Pakistan, in service with Punjab, Nepal, Mysore, Armenia, Kenya, Nigeria, Mali, Mauretania, Joi and others

 

Weight: 0.5 kg (unloaded)

Length: 40cm (use bulk of rifle)

Action: Single Shot

Ammunition: 30x75mm Rifle Grenade

Muzzle Velocity: 375mps

Magazine: 3 rnd tubular magazine

Magazine Weight: 1.0 kg

ROF: 3

Aimed Fire Range: 125m (400m indirect)

DP Value: As Rifle Grenade

            Price: Lv 75 (per sealed magazine: HE Lv 7, HEAP Lv 10, Flechette Lv 7, WP Lv 15)

Ishapore Arsenal Chakra Close Defence Weapon

 

The Chakra Close Defence Weapon is yet another attempt to combine the functionality of a PDW and an automatic pistol in the same package. The unloaded Chakra looks like a largish pistol, a few historically-minded observers claiming it bears an uncanny resemblance to the Model 1893 Borchardt, but almost uniquely in a PDW the Chakra has two feed-paths. A conventional butt-loading double-row 20 round magazine provides for normal usage as a heavy pistol in low-threat environments, but for higher-threat environments a helical feed magazine is available holding 45 rounds of ammunition, this mounts to the extreme rear of the weapon, projecting back over the wrist. With the rear-magazine fitted the butt-magazine is disconnected from the firing mechanism, but as soon as the rear-magazine is exhausted the Chakra will automatically switch to the butt-magazine. Automatic fire is only possible when feeding from the rear magazine. A rather odd wrist-brace/semi-stock is available that clips to the base of the weapon’s butt and then braces against the inside and top of the forearm. Few normal users will use the wrist-brace with any regularity, but a small but notable percentage of users from police SWAT teams and military SOF units swear by it. A close-combat optic and laser pointer are standard fittings.

 

With the rear-mounted magazine fitted the Chakra is extremely inconvenient to carry in a conventional holster, with the preferred method of carry being a three-point chest-sling. With only the butt-mounted magazine fitted the Chakra fits normally in a conventional holster, although it is still on the large side for an automatic.

 

The odd configuration of the Chakra is generally considered to have been one of those good ideas that should have been left on the drawing office floor, but the weapon itself has a reputation for reliable action and accurate shooting, even under the full-automatic usage that would normally have a pistol of this size climbing uncontrollably.

 

The Chakra is the standard issue PDW of the Bengali, Nepalese, Bhutanese and Burmese forces and is also sold on the civilian market in semi-automatic only format. It is relatively common throughout Asia and is also seen in East Africa, Somalia having brought it into service as the standard sidearm for its army and several other nations having adopted it for police use.

 

Type: 9x24mm PDW

 

Country: Bengal, in service with Nepal, Bhutan, Burma and Somalia

Weight: 2.25kg (unloaded)

Length: 1cm (Bulk = 1, 2 with rear magazine mounted)

Action: Single Shots or Full Automatic

Ammunition: 9x24mm fixed cartridge ball

Muzzle Velocity: 500mps

Magazine: Butt: 20 rounds, Rear: 45 rounds

Magazine Weight: Butt: 0.25kg, Rear: 0.5Kg

ROF: 3

Aimed Fire Range: 60m

Area Fire Burst: 15 rounds (AFV = 2)

Area Fire Range: 45m

DP Value: 0.4

Price: Lv 425 (Lv2 for box of 100 rounds, Lv 2 for empty butt magazine, Lv 5 for empty rear magazine)

 

Grafton Arms L43A5 Light Support Weapon

 

Introduced mid-century, the Grafton Arms L43 was in some ways the father of the short-lived fascination with storm-guns that arose during the CAW and the grandfather of modern squad level plasma weapons. Frequently described as a bastardized cross of sniper rifle and grenade launcher, the L43 was designed to utilize a high-velocity rifle grenade in a point-target role. A notoriously heavy weapon, the Grafton was nevertheless accurate and relatively pleasant to fire, particularly by the final generation L43A5 with gyro-stabilization and electronic sighting. Drawing on a feed mechanism developed for an experimental Grafton Arms automatic shotgun, the L43 is loaded via a 15 round magazine inserted into the weapon’s butt, the vertically aligned rounds being rotated 90 degrees to bring them in line with the barrel. Spent rounds are ejected underneath the mechanism. While this allowed easy use by left or right-handed personnel, the L43 was notorious for occasionally ejecting a hot case onto the shooter’s forearm, supposedly allowing experienced users to be identified by their burn-scars. The L43 never found a happy place in UK and foreign service, at various times being issued at squad, platoon and company level. By the time of the Kafer War the L43 was mostly gathering dust, even in the armories of colonial defence forces, but the desperation of the Kafer War, and the continued availability of ammunition, saw the L43 undergoing a minor renaissance, significant enough for Grafton Arms to rush a TISS compatibility package into production. Weapons fitted with this package are designated L43A5* and are compatible with the L99 High Velocity Selectable Detonation Rifle Grenade as well as the older L6x series.

 

2 Company’s L43s are the basic A5 model without the TISS package and never went out of service, the company being unable to contemplate the cost of re-equipping with plasma guns.

 

Type: 30mm Grenade Lancher

 

Country: United Kingdom, in service or held by many Commonwealth and some  other nations

 

Weight: 7.7 kg (unloaded)

Length: 130cm (Bulk = 5)

Action: Single Shot

Ammunition: 30x75mm Rifle Grenade

Muzzle Velocity: 750mps

Magazine: 15 rnd box magazine

Magazine Weight: 3.0 kg

ROF: 3

Aimed Fire Range: 850m

DP Value: As Rifle Grenade

Price: Lv 750

 

30mm High Velocity Rifle Grenades

 

Grenade, 30mm, Launched, High-Velocity, HE Flechette APERS, L63A6

 

DP: As Explosion (EP = 2)

Burst radius = 10m
Price: Lv 3

 

The DPV of the fragments is 1.1/0.3, with any remainder halved after penetrating armour.

 

Grenade, 30mm, Launched, High-Velocity, HE Enhanced APERS, L64A5

 

DPV: As explosion (EP = 3)
Price: Lv3

 

Grenade, 30mm, Launched, High-Velocity, White Phosphorous, Smoke, L65A3

 

Weight: 0.2kg

Fuse: Impact

Effect: Primary Burst Radius = 20m, DPV per fragment = 0.2 incendiary (does damage for 20 rounds unless put out) (will not penetrate armour), Smoke: 10x40m area, no concussion.

Price: Lv 6

 

Grenade, 30mm, Launched, High-Velocity, HEAT, L66A4

 

DPV: As tamped explosion (EP = 3)
Price: Lv4

 

Darra Arms Model 90 Sonic Stunner

 

Another ‘improved copy’, the Model 90 sonic stunner closely resembles the Quinn Optronics Restraint Carbine in form and function. In putting their own stamp on the design the Darra designers have considerably improved the ruggedness of the Quinn design, shrouding the external fins of the pulse generator in a composite forearm that means it is now possible to mishandle the weapon without risking it being rendered unusable. In fact it is possible to buttstroke an opponent with the Model 90 and carry on firing afterwards, something that would normally put a Restraint in depot level repair. The other improvement Darra have made is to double the size of the LMS cell, allowing 30 shots from a single magazine (standard 15 shot Quinn Optronics magazines can also be used).

 

The Restraint Carbine remains dominant with paramilitary forces, Quinn Optronics having a well-established sales force specialising in dealing with police and other law enforcement agencies, but Darra’s Model 90 has considerable penetration of the military market, where sonic stunners are popular golfbag equipment for Operations Other Than War. Darra’s most prized order for the Model 90 remains the 2298 order from the British Army’s Royal Military Police (which also covered the civilian MoD Police), which provoked considerable complaints from Quinn Optronics, but stopped short of a legal challenge.

 

 Type: Sonic Stunner

 

Nation: Pakistan, in service with United Kingdom and others.

 

 Weight (empty): 4.5 kg

 Length: 75 cm (Bulk =  2)

 Action: Single shot

 Muzzle Velocity: 330 mps

 Magazine: 10 mj LMS cell (30 pulses)

 Magazine Weight: 1.25 kg

 ROF: 3

 Aimed fire Range: 100 m

 Area fire Burst:  3 pulses (AFV= 1)

 Area Fire Range: 40 m

 DP Value:  0.8 (0.4 area fire), stun damage only

 Price: Lv 145 (Lv 7.5 for 10 mj disposable LMS cell)

 

Kukri

 

The traditional fighting knife/short sword of the Gurkhas is still issued to every Gurkha soldier and has changed little over the centuries. It is also popular with British and other troops for jungle operations and is a common barter item. It is curved with a heavy, blunt back edge and is a superb cutting weapon.

 

Length: 42cm (Bulk = 0)

Weight: 2 kg

Melee Range: short

Melee Skill Modifier: +2

DP: 0.4

Cost: On issue or Lv10

 

Lathi

 

The Lathi is the long riot control cane of Indian subcontinent police. 2 Company uses a 120cm cane manufactured from a semi-flexible rugged plastic.

 

Length: 120cm (Bulk = 2)

Weight: 0.5Kg

Melee Range: Long

Melee Skill Modifier: +1

DP: 0.1 (blunt trauma only)

Price: Lv 2.5

 

Bangalore Dynamics Marut AVM

 

The Marut is a light shoulder-fired AVM with a marginal SAM capability, primarily useful against closing targets. Standard issue with the Bangalore military, the Marut is ideal for 2 Company who only expect to engage aerial targets under the most unusual of conditions. The missile comes packed in a launch-tube and the system integrates with the Moghul Warrior ISS or a vehicle’s fire control system for sighting purposes.

 

Type: Light anti-vehicle missile

Nation: Bangalore

Missile weight: 8kg

Range: 750m (2000m vs Aerial targets)

Guidance: Automatic following gunner lock on

Homing value: 14

Attack angle: selectable

Damage: As tamped explosion (EP = 35)

Price: Not available

Missile speed: 600 mps

Missile endurance: 3.5 seconds

 

Policetech Special Assault Helmet

 

2 Company issues its personnel with the Special Assault Helmet from Policetech of Mysore. The helmet is a full-face composite design with an openable faceplate. The visor functions as the display screen for the Helmet’s night vision system (with optics mounted above the ears) an also includes both internal and external microphones. The system is compatible with and is used as a sensor input to the Moghul Warrior ISS, but the visor is not used as an ISS output, doctrine being to keep non-essential information out of the soldier’s field of view at all times.

 

Weight: 0.65kg

AV: 0.8

Cost: Lv325

 

Moghul Warrior Integrated Soldier System

 

Moghul Warrior is the standard Integrated Soldier System of the Indian and several other armies. Equivalent to (and interoperable with) the British Army’s Combat System 75, the Moghul Warrior system was introduced in 2282 and is now considered obsolescent by the Indian Army. Unfortunately the replacement Warrior:2300 programme has encountered development problems and is not now expected to deliver prototype hardware until 2305.

 

For 2 Company, with different operational concerns to a national force, Moghul Warrior remains perfectly adequate. As is usual with Integrated Soldier Systems the electronics are integrated into the basic combat equipment, however unlike more modern systems the

electronics are not dispersed but are mounted in a protective armoured pad permanently mounted within the back of the jacket. An add-on Cuirass can be worn as the front component of the combat armour or left off as the tactical situation allows and an additional rigid back-plate is available if required. Rather than using helmet optics the ISS outputs to a display pad, which is typically mounted in a drop-down pocket on the left breast.

 

The uniform is a limited inertial armour design with basic level biochemical warfare protection and a smart surface allowing different camouflage schemes to be selected as necessary. Individual schemes are a user-selected option at time of purchase. Based on their expected area of operations 2 Company procured uniforms with the Temperate (green-brown), Desert (sand-grey), Mountain (grey-brown-green) and Policing (dark blue) schemes along with the default Winter (white-grey) and SARBE (dayglo-orange) options. All camouflage modes can temporarily suppress IR emissions if the wearer so selects and provided the optional 1.5 or 3l drinking water reservoir is secured to the rear connector. With the water-reservoir connected the uniform has a limited active environmental control ability (torso only). A chemical chill can may be inserted into a socket in the water bladder to pre-chill the contents to enhance the IR-suppression or environmental conditioning functionality. However the expended chill can is a notable IR emitter and must be disposed of carefully. Expended chill cans are perfectly capable of starting fires if discarded into flammable materials such as dry vegetation. SARBE mode may be selected to enhance IR signature at some cost in battery life if the recovery of a casualty is particularly urgent or difficult. To further enhance environmental control, the weave of the uniform is self-adjusting to shed or retain body heat based on the operator’s core body temperature as determined by various temperature sensors.

 

The Moghul Warrior system runs off batteries located in the lower part of the rear-torso pad. The system can use 24 hour military specification battery packs, but is also compatible with civilian market batteries which will usually have a significantly shorter duration.

 

Moghul Warrior Battledress

Weight: 1.25kg

Type: Inertial

AV: 0.3 (limbs and front torso), 0.5 (rear torso)

 

Moghul Warrior Front Cuirass

Weight: 1.25kg

Type: Inertial+Rigid

AV: 1.2 (front torso)

 

Moghul Warrior Rear Cuirass

Weight: 1.5kg

Type: Inertial+Rigid

AV: 1.5 (rear torso)

 

Cost (complete system): Lv1450

 

24 Hour Battery

Weight: 0.25kg

Cost: Lv 0.5 (disposable), Lv 5 (rechargeable)

 

Environmental Control System Chill Can

Weight: 0.25kg

Cost: Lv 1

 

Moghul Warrior Base Station

 

The Moghul Warrior Base Station is the platoon-level system integration node for the Moghul Warrior ISS. The system works as a central node to the platoon network, cross-correlating data from all sources and feeding the synthesized data both back to the ISS of the individual platoon members and onwards to Moghul Lord or other C2 systems in the net. The effect of this is that anything seen or heard by one platoon member is available to all of them, it also provides synthesis and correlation capabilities that no single platoon member could be capable of, such as triangulation and trajectory analysis of both audio and visual signals. This allows the position of snipers and other battlefield weapon systems to be readily identified and plotted on the network’s tactical map. The system also works as a communications rebroadcast node for the Moghul Warrior personal encrypted radio system. Base-Stations are operable in several modes: Rebroadcast, in which the system automatically transfers correlated data to the higher level command nodes in the circuit as well as to individual ISS, Covert in which the system listens but does not transmit (correlated data may still be accessed by physically connecting a Moghul Warrior ISS via data-cable or via vehicle fire control system displays) and LPI, in which the system rebroadcasts to platoon network members only, where possible by daisy-chaining minimal power transmissions from one platoon member to the next. ISS sets themselves will automatically use LPI transmission modes such as daisy-chaining wherever possible.

 

The Moghul Warrior Base Station is available in both vehicle and manpack models.  All 2 Company vehicles have the Vehicle Model installed and connected to whatever vehicle management or fire control systems they may possess. Each platoon holds a single Manpack model usually carried by the platoon commander’s signaller. Several spare Manpack Models are held at company level and are issued at need, such as where a platoon is tasked to operate both on foot and as two multiples.

 

Moghul Warrior Base Station (Vehicle Model)

Rebroadcast Range: 100 Km (or via satellite uplink if available)

Weight: 20.0kg

Cost: Lv 5000

 

Moghul Warrior Base Station (Manpack Model)

Rebroadcast Range: 50 Km (or via satellite uplink if available)

Weight: 7.5kg

Battery Life: 8 hours (rechargeable battery packs cost Lv 25 and weigh 1.5Kg)

 

Cost: Lv 8,500

 

Moghul Lord Command and Control System

 

Moghul Lord is the Company and Above Command Element of the Moghul Warrior Combat System. A single Moghul Lord node can process and integrate inputs from up to 75 Moghul Warrior ISSs or 10 Moghul Warrior Base Stations (or any combination of roughly equivalent processing load). Inputs from other compatible systems such as airborne or orbital reconnaissance systems may also be integrated, in most cases with no operator intervention. When several Moghul Lord nodes are operating in a shared network environment they may be configured either to load-share, with inputs divided between all available systems and consolidated information cross-patched between nodes or to operate in a hierarchical system mimicking the chain of command. Output from the system is to a user-definable number of operator consoles (in practice a maximum of six per node is recommended), with the consolidated tactical situation also cross-patched to any number of linked Moghul Lord nodes and downwards to linked Moghul Warrior ISS or Base-Stations.

 

The information feed from the system includes all of the information available from a Moghul Warrior Base Station, but additionally the system includes extensive intelligence and logistics overlays, giving a commander all the information he should need to fight on any but the hottest battlefield.

 

2 Company have two Moghul Lord nodes, one in each of the Grasskat-Cs of HQ Platoon. The company command post vehicle has a node with five operator stations, while the communications vehicle has only four, the company network technician taking the fifth position.

 

Moghul Lord Command Node

Rebroadcast Range: 100 Km (or via satellite uplink if available)

Weight: 50.0kg

Cost: Lv 15,000

 

Moghul Lord Operator Station

Weight: 35.0kg

Cost: Lv 1,500

INDEX

Vehicles

 

FV846 Grasskat and Variants

 

The Company’s Grasskats are standard Grasskats in the Medium Armour configuration. The only variations from the baseline specification are the fitting of Moghul Warrior Base Stations in all vehicles except the Grasskat-CPs, which have the Moghul Lord C2 system instead, and the hybrid engineering/recovery configuration of the Grasskat-Ls, which have both the heavy lifting arm and towing bars of the Redkat recovery vehicle and the dozer blade and other specialist engineering tools designed for the Redkat engineering vehicle. Most importantly perhaps, the Grasskat-Ls have a MASINT IED detection system capable of detecting any conventional military explosive at a range of 20 metres or less and most improvised explosives at a range of two hundred and fifty metres. Ground penetrating radar able to penetrate up to two metres at a range of twenty metres is also fitted. Unfortunately the MASINT system can be swamped by signals from friendly vehicles carrying munitions.

 

See: http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~dheb/2300/Equipment/EG/Redkat/Grasskat.htm

 

FV 8423 Tirat-S Security Vehicle

 

The Company’s Tirats are standard Tirat-Ss in the Medium Armour configuration. As with the Grasskats the only significant variation from the baseline specification is the fitting of Moghul Warrior Base Stations in all vehicles. The MASINT IED detection system fitted to the Grasskat-Ls is a standard part of the Tirat-S sensor suite.

 

See: http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~dheb/2300/Equipment/EG/Redkat/Tirat.htm

 

FV735 Fusilier Hover Infantry Fighting Vehicle

 

The British Exospace Fusilier HIFV superseded the Halberdier HAPC in British Army service, but that was nearly five decades ago now. At the time the Fusilier was a major step forward over the old Halberdier in having the power-to-weight ratio to support a respectable armament and armour suite, although jump-jet capability was still a generation in the future. It has served well all over human space, but is now strictly speaking obsolete, with the vast majority of British Army Fusilier’s brought up to the new Rifleman standard and many of those in use with other first and second line nations retired, scrapped or sold on to more impoverished forces.

 

2 Company’s Fusiliers came off the production line at Ambernath Arsenal in Bombay (British Exospace’s licensee for East Asia) in the early 2280s. They have been used hard and served well, but are now maintenance hogs. Every man in Technical Section would love to see the back of them and the Company Board would be happy to meet their wishes, but there is simply no cash available to fund the re-equipment package.

    

Type: Hover IFV

Crew: 3

Combat Weight: 18 tons

Armour: Rear: 10, Plenum: 5, Others: 20

Armament:

1x 25mm Autocannon in Remote Turret with 100 rounds and +2 Fire Control,

1x Coaxial Vickers VR-5 MG with 2000 rounds

1 Marut AVM (three manual reloads carried internally, 2 turns to reload with vehicle stopped)

Signature: 3

Evasion: 7

Sensor Range: 10km

Cargo: 1000kg + 8 Passengers

Max Speed: 160kph

Cruise Speed: 120kph

Combat Movement: 240m

Off Road Mobility: full

Power Plant: 0.75MW MHD Turbine

Fuel Capacity: 575kg of hydrogen

Fuel Consumption: 25kg per hour

Endurance: 23 hours

Price: Lv200,000 for a second hand system on the open market (Original 2265 purchase price was approximately Lv530,000)

 

Hover Rover 350

 

The Hover Rover 350 was the UK’s second generation hover utility vehicle design, replacing the Reynard I in service from the late 2260s. The Company’s vehicles were procured in the most austere configuration from Hawker’s Pune production line in the early 2290s. All have been fitted with the Moghul Warrior Base Station.

 

Type: Light Utility Hover Vehicle

Crew:

  GS: Driver

  DC: Driver, Drone Operator*2

  WMR: Driver, Commander, Gunner

  Ambulance: Driver, Medic*2

Weight: 1.25 tons

Armour: Front: 2, Top: 1, Sides: 2, Rear: 2, Plenum: 1

Armament:

    GS, DC: Front Pintle Mount Only

    WMR: VR5 with 1000 rounds on Front Pintle Mount

         VR8 with 250 Rounds on Lightweight Powered Cupola

          Marut AVM*2 on Lightweight Powered Cupola

    Ambulance: None

Signature: 1

Evasion: 7

Sensor Range: 2km (WMR: 3Km)

Cargo:

   GS: 5 passengers and 750kg

   DC: Vrikshaka drone *4

   WMR: 1 Passenger or 150Kg

   Ambulance: 2 Stretcher patients or 3 seated wounded.

Max Speed: 150kph (30kph with jump jets)

Cruise Speed: 120kph

Combat Movement: 240m

Off Road Mobility: Full

Power Plant: 0.35MW MHD Turbine

Fuel Capacity: 150kg of hydrogen

Fuel Consumption: 7.5kg per hour (Increased 10 times when jump jets engaged)

Endurance: 20 hours

Price: Lv25000 exclusive of weapons (new production, Lv7500-15000 surplus depending on condition and equipment fit)

 

AT8 Hover Logistics Vehicle

 

The AT8 (officially the All-Terrain Medium Logistics Vehicle, 8 Tonne) is the most common medium load carrier in British service and fulfils the same role in many Commonwealth and other armies, serving alongside its larger and smaller siblings, the AT16 and the AT4 (the latter more commonly known as the Quad). Like the AT16, but unlike the Quad, the AT8 is usually fitted with the Modular Offloadable System of interchangeable loadbeds, allowing it to switch from general load carrier to specialist vehicle in minutes. MOS compatible equipment shelters are a common standard worldwide, holding everything from perishable goods to electronics to vertical launch missile systems.

 

2 Company has three AT8s in Technical Support Platoon. Like the Hover-Rovers these came off Hawker’s Pune production line. Each is normally fitted with the standard cargo loadbed, but the vehicles are also used to transport the various MOS compatible equipment shelters within the company when required. As with other company vehicles the Moghul Warrior Base Station is fitted.

 

Type: Hover Logistics Vehicle

Crew: Driver + 2 Passengers (in cab, more possible in carried module)

Combat Weight: 12 tons

Armour: Front: 2, Top: 2, Sides: 2, Rear: 2, Plenum: 1

Armament:

1x Pintle Mount above Cab

Signature: 5

Evasion: 3

Sensor Range: 5km

Cargo: 8000kg

Max Speed: 150kph

Cruise Speed: 105kph

Combat Movement: 210m

Off Road Mobility: full

Power Plant: 1.25MW MHD Turbine

Fuel Capacity: 500kg of hydrogen

Fuel Consumption: 40kg per hour

Endurance: 12.5 hours

Price: Lv25,000

 

Vrikshaka Drone

 

The Vrikshaka drone is produced by Bangalore Dynamics and is in relatively widespread service as a tactical UAV throughout East Asia. The drone is powered by a small tail-mounted propfan and has a folding diamond wing configuration. It is launched from its transport canister using a mechanical catapult system that propels it some ten metres into the air, giving it just sufficient time to deploy its wing from the folded position and assume powered flight before it can strike the ground. As recovery may be at very low altitude it is normally recommended that no standing personnel be within fifty metres of a launching Vrikshaka. Once the Vrikshaka has reached fifty metres of altitude it will confirm it has a handshake with a control system and switch to semi-autonomous mode, allowing the operator to assume control and direct it on its mission. Once the mission is over the Vrikshaka can be switched to autonomous recovery mode and will return to a pre-selected recovery site where it will execute a vertical landing using an ultra-low-level stall technique, landing on four skids deployed from the rear of the propfan shroud. Once the Vrikshaka has been refueled it may be reinstalled in its transport container ready for another mission. The Vrikshaka comes equipped as standard with turret mounted multi-spectral sensors and a laser designation capability.

 

2 Company operates the Vrikshaka from Drone Control configured Hover Rovers. The Transport Containers are mounted two at either side of the cargo bay leaving a cramped space between for a single drone controller position with the second drone controller in what is normally the front passenger position. The opinion of most other operators is that a single Hover Rover is really too small to carry both the drone cannisters and operator consoles and it is more common to detail two vehicles to the task, but as ever 2 Company is forced to try and squeeze a quart into a pint pot.

 

Type: Tactical VTOL UAV

Nation: Bangalore

Crew: None

Armament: None

Range Finder: +2

Cruise Speed: 200kph

Combat Move: 400m

Signature: 2

Evasion: 9

Sensor Range: 8 km (+2)

Cargo: None

Weight: 70Kg

Armour: 1 (all aspects)

Endurance: 4 Hours

INDEX

Personalities

 

Major Sher Rai

Officer Commanding 2 Independent Company Group

 

An officer who has worked his way up from the ranks, Major Rai is very well respected by his men, although not even his fellow officers would claim to know him well. A quiet man by nature, Major Rai seems to become even quieter during combat, radiating a calm confidence in his subordinates as he fights the company with the minimum of command interference.

 

Major Rai is very well respected outside of the company and marked for greater things by the Regimental Council of the Independent Gorkha Rifles. As company commander for the past three years he has been responsible for handling re-equipment with the Grasskat and Tirat, replacing the older Indian APCs previously in use, a task which he has achieved without noticeably disrupting company operations or, perhaps more importantly, taking company accounts into the red. He has also formalised the doctrine for operations other than war that have evolved within the company and his articles in various military journals have been well received, culminating in a recent invitation to deliver a guest lecture at Sandhurst. Major Rai is just finishing a 2 year stint as the non-voting observer for the independent companies on the IGR Regimental Council and it is likely that but for the very challenging nature of 2 Company’s next assignment he would have been offered a battalion command.

 

Subedar Sally Thapa

Platoon Commander, B Platoon

 

In the traditionalist world of the IGR Sally Thapa has three counts against her. Firstly she is a woman, and the Gurkhas are still adjusting to that new reality, secondly she is a Pendragon Mountains Gurkha from Wellon rather than a Nepali and third, her appearance owes much more to her Wellonese Mountaineer mother than her Pendragon Gurkha father. In fairness to the IGR this wouldn’t normally be a problem, there is a long tradition of British officers serving in Gurkha units, but Sally Thapa stands out in a crowd. It isn’t completely unprecedented for Gurkhas to approach 180 centimetres in height, but Sally Thapa stands 195cm in her stocking feet, she is also perhaps the first natural red-head in Gurkha history.

 

A former part-timer with 2 (HS) Battalion, The Mountain Regiment on Wellon, Sally Thapa claims she joined the IGR because ‘it seemed like a good idea at the time’, those who know her as a fanatical free climber believe the proximity to the Himalayas may have had rather more to do with it. As a graduate of The Mountain Regiment’s Mountain Instructor course she has been a welcome addition to several expeditions, culminating in joint leadership of the IGR team’s conquest of K2 in 2302.

 

Beyond all else though, the thing that has most eased Sally Thapa’s acceptance by her colleagues is that Subedar Thapa is a superb soldier. She has commanded B Platoon since its previous commander was killed in an ambush eighteen months ago. Her performance is such that little effort has been made to recruit a replacement.

 

Naib-Subedar Ramdhoj Gurung, MD

Company Surgeon

 

Doctor Gurung is a little bit of an oddball. A competent surgeon, he has proven completely unable to work within a medical hierarchy, constantly becoming engaged in essentially stupid squabbles with his colleagues over treatment protocols, but simultaneously he is quite at home within the even more structured existence of a military unit. 2 Company provides him with the best of both worlds, as he is the only doctor within the unit. While initially cautious of his acetic nature, unusual in a Gurkha, the Company warmed considerably to him after the laager came under sustained attack by Pushtun separatists in 2301, destroying the medical MOS Shelter with the first volley of mortar fire. Despite the loss of most of his instruments and one of his assistants, Naib-Subedar Gurung kept several wounded men alive while under fire, even going so far as to shoot dead one attacker who was on the point of grenading the casualties.

 

Doctor Gurung has experienced difficulty passing the quarterly fitness test in the past and Subedar Thapa has taken him under her wing to ensure that this ceases to be a problem. He is not believed to be enjoying the experience.

 

Rifleman Ram Bahadur,

Vehicle Driver, Patrols Platoon

 

Ram Bahadur is that most traditional of things, a rural Gurkha intent on earning enough money during a career soldiering to buy himself a farm for his retirement. Assigned as a vehicle driver to Patrols Platoon, Ram found that driving a Tirat is more fun than he could ever have imagined, particularly driving it fast. His enthusiasm brought him to the notice of his platoon commander and when that officer’s previous driver was promoted to command a fireteam in B Platoon, Ram found himself driving for his commander. This is an arrangement that suits them both. Less appreciated are the speeding tickets and fines Ram tends to accumulate during leave periods which have gotten him into trouble with Major Rai on several occasions.

 

INDEX

Acknowledgements

 

Thanks to Dan Hebditch for comments on the initial version of this article and for providing the inspiration to switch to the Indian Army half of Gurkha heritage. In addition the AT8, Quad, Hover Rover, Fusilier, VR5, Colonial Service Rifle, IGR, the Mountain Regiment and the Pendragon Mountains Gurkhas are all originally concepts by Dan and/or Bryn Monnery.

 

INDEX


30/04/06

Copyright 2006, David Gillon