Land warfare

Land warfare refers to military operations that occur on the land surface of the planet. This type of combat is a major focus for national defense policy and financial planning. It involves large numbers of people using many different skills and methods. These forces use a wide variety of weapon systems and equipment to complete tasks. Because land warfare often occurs to defend rural or urban population areas, it is a central part of studying war.

Modern land forces consist of personnel, weapons platforms, and vehicles. They also include support elements that work to accomplish assigned missions. One primary group is the infantry. Infantry are soldiers who fight mainly on foot using small arms. They operate in organized military units. While they fight on foot, they may be transported to the battlefield by many means. These include ships, automobiles, skis, or cargo planes.

Combat vehicles are another essential part of land forces. These machines provide a way to move heavy firepower to engage opposing forces. They are usually designed to drive through very rugged terrain. Most combat vehicles use armor and other countermeasures to protect against threats. Common examples include main battle tanks and infantry fighting vehicles. Some vehicles also function as self-propelled artillery to support the troops.

Artillery is a term used for engines that discharge projectiles during war. The word comes from the French term "artillerie." It is also linked to the Old French verb "attilier," which means "to equip." Artillery can refer to the weapons themselves or the ground-based troops who man them. This category includes coastal artillery, which defends coasts against seaborne attacks. It also includes land-based field artillery used in various terrains.

As technology changed, the role of artillery expanded. At the start of the 20th century, powered flight became common. This led to the use of ground-based anti-aircraft batteries. These batteries are a type of artillery used to target aircraft.

History shows that land warfare has undergone several major transitions. In the past, combat often involved large groups of untrained people. These groups used irregular weapons and performed frontal assaults. Today, the approach is very different. Modern warfare uses highly trained regular troops. They use complex organizational, weapon, and information systems. They also follow specific strategic, operational, and tactical doctrines.

One of the most important modern methods is called combined arms. This approach seeks to integrate different military arms to achieve complementary effects. For example, a force might use self-propelled artillery alongside mechanized infantry and aircraft. Since World War II, land combat has largely relied on three distinct types of units. These are infantry, armor, and artillery.

Land warfare is also shaped by the environment where it takes place. Different landscapes and climates require different methods. Soldiers may conduct warfare in the Arctic or in hot deserts. They might fight in thick jungles or high mountains. Combat can also occur in urban warfare settings within cities. Additionally, forces have used amphibious warfare to move power from the seas to the land. Since the rise of military transport aircraft, they have also used airborne forces and vertical envelopment.