M S Nazki

There are formations in the Indian Army whose history is measured not merely in years, but in the campaigns, battlefields and generations of soldiers that have passed through their ranks. The 5 Infantry Brigade is one such formation, carrying a proud legacy while continuing to prepare itself for the demands of modern warfare.


It is known as the “Youngest of the Oldest” Brigade in the Indian Army, a phrase that captures the character of a formation that carries an old and distinguished heritage while retaining the energy, adaptability and fighting spirit required of a modern military formation.

This balance between tradition and preparedness was reflected during the visit of Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, Army Commander Northern Command, who visited the 5 Infantry Brigade to review the operational preparedness of the formation.

During his interaction with the troops, the Army Commander appreciated their commitment and resilience. He stressed the importance of remaining mission-ready through rigorous training, technology absorption and innovation. He also highlighted the need for greater synergy to meet the challenges presented by the changing multi-domain operational environment.

For soldiers, being mission-ready is not something achieved overnight. It is built through training, repetition, physical conditioning and the ability to perform under pressure. A soldier must be comfortable with the fundamentals, confident in applying them and prepared to act when circumstances change without warning.

The same applies to a team. Individual skills have to come together through constant practice until movement, communication and response become natural. Training must also include difficult and unpredictable situations, because the battlefield rarely follows a prepared script.

The ability to learn from mistakes is equally important. Every exercise provides an opportunity to identify weaknesses, correct them and make the next attempt better. Physical fitness and mental endurance complete this preparation, allowing soldiers to continue functioning effectively when fatigue and pressure begin to take their toll.

Technology has added another dimension to this preparedness. Modern military technology cannot simply be acquired and placed in service. It has to be understood, absorbed and adapted to the requirements of the soldier and the battlefield.

Technology absorption means developing the knowledge and expertise to make the best use of a capability. Whether it is a drone, sensor, artificial intelligence system, electronic warfare equipment or another modern platform, its real value comes when personnel understand how to employ it effectively and integrate it with other capabilities.

This also contributes to self-reliance. The ability to understand, modify and improve technology develops greater confidence and reduces dependence on simply acquiring equipment from elsewhere.

The battlefield itself has changed considerably. Land, air and sea remain the traditional pillars of military operations, but today's soldier also operates in an environment influenced by space, cyberspace, the electromagnetic spectrum and information.

This is where multi-domain operations become important. Different capabilities have to work together rather than operate in isolation. Information must reach the right people quickly, command structures must remain resilient and commanders must be able to make decisions even when circumstances change rapidly.

For the Indian Army, this is not about leaving behind the fundamentals of soldiering. Courage, discipline, endurance and leadership remain at the heart of military service. Technology and innovation are tools that make those qualities more effective on the modern battlefield.

A Brigade Forged by History

The story of the 5th Indian Infantry Brigade also takes us back to the Second World War. The wartime brigade was formed in September 1939 after the conversion of the 9th Indian Infantry Brigade and was placed under the 4th Indian Infantry Division.

Its soldiers first saw action in the North African campaign, operating in the difficult desert conditions of Egypt and Libya. In 1941, the brigade moved to Sudan and took part in the East African campaign against Italian forces, including operations around Amba Alagi.

The brigade subsequently returned to the 4th Indian Division and fought in the Syria-Lebanon campaign, including the battles around Kissoué and Damascus. It later returned to North Africa for the campaign in Tunisia, serving under different formations during the fighting there.

Its wartime journey did not end in North Africa. The brigade later returned to the 4th Indian Division for the Italian campaign and subsequently saw service connected with the Greek Civil War.

These campaigns left behind more than battle honours. They became part of the traditions and character carried forward by generations of soldiers.

That is what makes the description “Youngest of the Oldest” so appropriate.

The oldest represents the heritage. It represents the history, traditions and memories built through decades of military service.

The youngest represents the ability to keep moving forward.

A formation with a long history cannot afford to become comfortable with the methods of the past. Every generation brings new challenges, new technology and new ways of fighting. The formation has to remain prepared to learn and adapt.

That is the challenge facing the soldiers of today.

The soldier must still master the basics, but he must also understand the technology surrounding him. He must be physically strong, mentally resilient and capable of working with increasingly sophisticated systems. He must understand his own domain while appreciating how other capabilities can contribute to the same mission.

This is where training, technology absorption, innovation and synergy come together.

The history of the 5th Indian Infantry Brigade shows that adaptability has always been part of its character. Its soldiers moved between continents and battlefields during the Second World War, adapting to different enemies, terrain and operational circumstances.

The battlefield has changed since then, but the need to adapt has not.

The 5 Infantry Brigade carries that history into a very different era. Its soldiers inherit the experiences and traditions of those who served before them, while having the responsibility to prepare the formation for whatever challenges may come next.

That is the strength behind the title “Youngest of the Oldest.”

The history is respected.

The traditions are preserved.

But the preparation never stops.

And for the soldier, that preparation has only one ultimate purpose: to remain ready when the nation calls. 🇮🇳