315
MILITARY DECEPTION OPERATIONS
If you are sure that you are overwhelmingly stronger than the
enemy, by all means engage in an open fight. But if the enemy
is more powerful, with a sound of what is going on in the
enemy’s camp, you may adopt a great variety of ruses. One of
the ways is to deceive the enemy into thinking that your army is
about to break from famine or disaffection and thus induce him
to leave a strong position and attack you where he is at a
disadvantage .
-- Kautilya in Arthashastra
INTRODUCTION
Deception has been an integral part of warfare since warfare came into being .Wise
military planners throughout history have used deception. It is a low cost and effective
way to cause the enemy to waste his efforts. Imaginative use of deception, coupled with
aggressive training, improves combat effectiveness at all levels. It is the desire of every
military commander to achieve victory against the enemy with minimum attrition to own
forces and equipment. Though military commanders are expected to include deception
in their operational planning, they are not taught its principles and methods. Deception
on its own has not been included as a separate entity amongst the principles of war.
However, Deception Operation is being considered as one of the five pillars of Command
and Control Warfare, itself a subset of Information Warfare, along with Operational
Security, Psychological Operation, Electronic Warfare and Physical Destruction.
Deception is rarely an end unto itself. Deception is most often used in coordination with
other methods to create windows of opportunity that expose the enemy. The importance
of deception has surely not diminished over the millennia and, in fact, may be gaining in
importance. Military deception is a proven force multiplier that can shape the battlefield
by providing surprise and security for military operations and forces.
AIM
The aim of this essay is to analyse the concept of Military Deception Operations at the
strategic, operational and tactical level and suggest measures to achieve the same.
SCOPE
The essay will study Military Deception Operations critically at strategic, operational
and tactical levels of war and their interrelation. Keeping in view the battlefield
