This is just a thought really, and speaking from an RDF perspective...
Is it really the best use of the DF's training budget to train the RDF in fieldcraft and offensive battle drills in the mountains, fields, and forests? Would the RDF's time not be better spent learning about OBUA, DIBUA and FISH?
For one, on today's battlefield, a harbour area in open ground or in a forest is so easily identifiable from aerial reconnaissance with thermal imaging. One airstrike would see whole units wiped out!
Secondly, what enemy would want to concern themselves with holding a mountain/hill/field? The only reasons I can think of is to establish an APOD, or REBRO/RAD DET, or to place Arty in the high ground to shell towns/cities; but if an enemy has the logistics to do that, it's safe to say that they'll most likely already control a town/city/port or airport.
Are there many FIBUA training facilities in Ireland?
Perhaps an idea would be to train the RDF in DIBUA, and every few years have a large exercise whereby the RDF's (with a small contingent of PDF) mission is to defend a FIBUA town (or airport), and the PDF are to seize it. My thinking being that the PDF should be the ones training for offensive manoeuvres and the RDF's focus should be primarily on defensive.
I wasn't an infanteer in my time, so I'm open to correction, but for an Army with no MBTs, no attack helicopters, no real air superiority etc; would it not be best to organise and consolidate the RDF to operations within towns and cities, leaving the offensive manoeuvres beyond the city/towns to the PDF?
Is it really the best use of the DF's training budget to train the RDF in fieldcraft and offensive battle drills in the mountains, fields, and forests? Would the RDF's time not be better spent learning about OBUA, DIBUA and FISH?
For one, on today's battlefield, a harbour area in open ground or in a forest is so easily identifiable from aerial reconnaissance with thermal imaging. One airstrike would see whole units wiped out!
Secondly, what enemy would want to concern themselves with holding a mountain/hill/field? The only reasons I can think of is to establish an APOD, or REBRO/RAD DET, or to place Arty in the high ground to shell towns/cities; but if an enemy has the logistics to do that, it's safe to say that they'll most likely already control a town/city/port or airport.
Are there many FIBUA training facilities in Ireland?
Perhaps an idea would be to train the RDF in DIBUA, and every few years have a large exercise whereby the RDF's (with a small contingent of PDF) mission is to defend a FIBUA town (or airport), and the PDF are to seize it. My thinking being that the PDF should be the ones training for offensive manoeuvres and the RDF's focus should be primarily on defensive.
I wasn't an infanteer in my time, so I'm open to correction, but for an Army with no MBTs, no attack helicopters, no real air superiority etc; would it not be best to organise and consolidate the RDF to operations within towns and cities, leaving the offensive manoeuvres beyond the city/towns to the PDF?
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