INTRODUCTION

The principles of war are the most fundamental

form of doctrine.
Represents basic guiding elements of warfare.
They are not checklist but interrelated and
interacting to provide better understanding.
They should be interpreted in light of
information.

PRINCIPLES OF WAR

Selection and Maintenance of the Aim.

Maintenance of Morale.
Offensive Action.
Concentration of Force.
Economy of Effort.
Security.
Surprise.
Flexibility
Cooperation.
Administration.

SELECTION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE AIM

Define the aim with absolute clarity before op
starts.
Intended to have strategic end-state.
Once selected, all out efforts should be
maintained.
Govt must be clear of mil obj.
Mil Commander should be sure what to achieve.
It is imperative that the aim is maintained
throughout the command.

MAINTENANCE OF MORALE
Based on clear understanding of all trg and
discipline.
Responsive to good command and
leadership.

OFFENSIVE ACTION
A chief means for a commander to
influence the outcome of an op.
Success lies on offensive action.
Required to achieve victory, and
avert defeat.

CONCENTRATION OF FORCE
Concentrate superior force at decisive time and
place.
Disposing them to deliver decisive blow.
Achieve what is decisive.
Decide the aim decide the task to achieve the
aim.
Concentrate the reqr force into the task until the
aim is attained, if reqr, employ all the forces.

ECONOMY OF EFFORT
The corollary of concentration of force is
economy of effort.
Correct use of weapons.
Sound distribution.
No wasteful expenditure a careful balance
in allocation to achieve an effective
concentration.

SECURITY
Physical protection and denial of
information.
Enable to achieve obj.
Active measures.

Def of air force.

Base.
Entry point.
Operational strip.

SURPRISE
Most powerful influence in war.
When other factors are unfavorable,
surprise is essential to success.
It achieves success out of proportion.
It can be achieved strategically,
operationally, tactically, or by new tech.
The elements of surprise - secrecy,
concealment, deception, audacity and
speed.

FLEXIBILITY
Although aim is not to alter, shift point of emphasis.
Change plan of actions.
Flexibility demands trust, good trg, org, discipline,
staff work, rapidity of decision that time is not
wasted.
It also calls for degree of mobility to ensure
redeployment.
Examine overall strategic sit before taking
diversionary task.
DMP.

COOPERATION
Based on team spirits.
Attain concentration & economy of effort
of force through co-ord, goodwill and
deceive.
Entails right balance of force effectiveness
to implement the plan.

ADMINISTRATION
Sound admin is the pre-requisite for
success of any operation.
Logistic consideration, clear
understanding.
Action sp commensurate with aim.
Degrees of control commensurate to
degree of responsibility.
Freedom of action to execute action plan.

SUSTAINABILITY