The Indian Army’s Trishakti Corps has commenced intensive Army Martial Arts Routine (AMAR) combat training at altitudes exceeding 14,000 feet along the Northern Borders, aimed at enhancing close-combat preparedness in extreme high-altitude conditions.
Conducted in sub-zero temperatures, low-oxygen environments, and rugged terrain, the programme is designed to sharpen soldiers’ reflexes, stamina, balance, situational awareness, and controlled aggression—critical for close-quarter engagements where conventional weapons may not be immediately available.
AMAR integrates traditional Indian martial arts with global close-combat techniques, covering bare-hand fighting, weapon-based engagements, stress management, and physical and mental conditioning. Participants say the harsh terrain tests endurance while building confidence for high-risk, close-combat situations.
Alongside training, the Army has indigenised 97% of its Special Clothing and Mountaineering Equipment for super-high-altitude zones, with 55 of 57 items now made in India. The remaining two are undergoing trials for full indigenisation by 2026.
Operational capability has also been bolstered by the rollout of the three-layer New Coat Combat (Digital Print) jacket—an ergonomically engineered NIFT-designed garment introduced in January 2025 to enhance performance across diverse terrains.
The combined focus on advanced combat training and indigenous high-altitude gear marks a major step in strengthening the Army’s self-reliance and readiness to operate—and win—in some of the world’s toughest battlefields.
