Weapons[edit]
As the name suggests, in comparison with conventional operations the armed forces involved operate at a greatly reduced tempo, with fewer soldiers, a reduced range of tactical equipment and limited scope to operate in a military manner. For example the use of
air power, pivotal in modern warfare, is often relegated to transport and surveillance.
Artillery is often not used when LIC occurs in
populated areas. The role of the armed forces is dependent on the stage of the insurrection, whether it has progressed to armed struggle or is in an early stage of propaganda and protests.
Intelligence[edit]
Intelligence gathering is essential to an efficient basis of LIC operation instructions. Electronic and signal gathering intelligence,
ELINT and
SIGINT, proves largely ineffective against low intensity opponents. LIC generally requires more
hands-on HUMINT methods of information retrieval.
Stages[edit]
In the first stages of
insurrection, much of an army's work is "soft" - working in conjunction with civil authorities in
psychological operations,
propaganda, counter-organizing, so-called "
hearts and minds." If the conflict progresses, possibly into armed clashes, the role develops with the addition of the identification and removal of the armed groups - but again, at a low level, in communities rather than throughout entire cities. This is roughly the definition of
terrorism.
Facebook
Twitter