INTRODUCTION TO EVOLUTION OF WARFARE 1. Introduction.

Armed conflict was a fact of life, long before the first recorded

engagement. Humans first recognized the value of stones or sticks as implements and used these weapons in the search for food, place to live, or in satisfying his inherent desire to dominate. Later the primitive man discovered that a stone with a sharp edge or a stick with a pointed end could be more lethal than the ordinary round stone or blunt club. This was the beginning of the evolutionary process of warfare and the pattern was set for discovery, improvement and use of weapons with tactics especially devised to suit their capabilities. This pattern has been followed throughout the history and has resulted into the complex nature of warfare as we see it today. Some important milestones in the evolution of warfare through the ages are as follows:a. 5000 B.C. - Emergence of First Society. In 5000 B.C worlds first society emerged in Egypt. Fighting was limited to small skirmishes with weapons made of stone.

Figure: 1 First Ancient Society

b.

3100 B.C. - Bronze Age and Start of Warfare. Bronze Age was characterized with the use of copper and bronze for the manufacture of weapons. Around 3000 B.C worlds first armies appeared in the ancient Egypt.

Figure: 2 Bronze Age Spearheads

Figure: 3 Egyptian Pharoh Rameses II depicted in battle

c.

1200 B.C - Iron Age. In 1200 B.C use of Iron was mastered by the ancient man. As a result, harder and more reliable implements and weapons were hammered into shape while softer cast bronze weapons gradually became obsolete. Due to availability of iron in large quantity, large number of weapons were manufactured and art of warfare increased dramatically.

Figure : 4 Iron Age Dagger, Axe Head and Arrows

d.

4th Century A.D - Beginning of Medieval Warfare. In 4th century A.D use of stirrups enabled the employment of cavalry as a shock element. Fighting concepts changed from employment of massed infantry to charge by cavalry and this led to the beginning of medieval era.

Figure: 5 10th century stirrup

Figure: 6 Cavalry Charge in Medieval Era

e.

10th Century A.D - Development of Gunpowder. Gunpowder was developed during the Song Dynasty in China in 10th century A.D. This invention had a huge impact on the evolution of warfare.

Figure: 7 Chinese Experimenting with the Gunpowder

f.

15th Century A.D - Widespread Use of Gunpowder. Widespread use of gunpowder began in the 15th century A.D. As a result new weapons including artillery guns and muskets appeared in battlefield.

Figure : 8 The Dardanelles Gun Cast in 1464

Figure : 9 Japanese Arquebus

g.

18th Century A.D - Industrial Revolution. Major advancements in manufacturing, transportation and technology were made during industrial revolution. As a result rifled breech loading infantry weapons, high velocity breech loading artillery guns, modern tanks, metal warships, submarines, and aircrafts entered the battlefield.

Figure : 10 Factories in the Industrial Age

Figure : 11 A Glimpse of Industrial Warfare

h.

Post 1945 - Atomic Age. The Atomic Age is the period of history following the detonation of the first nuclear weapon Little Boy on Hiroshima. After the bombing, many nations focused on acquisition and development of nuclear weapons thus changing the warfare profoundly.

Figure: 13 Bombing of Hiroshima

Figure: 14 Little Boy The First Atomic Weapon

i.

21st Century A.D - Information Age. The information age is the current age which is characterized by the fast transfer of information using highly advanced communication means. In present age, the concept of network centric warfare has emerged which aims at integrating the commanders, sensors and shooters thus reducing the reaction capability.

Figure: 15 Network Centric Warfare