Principles of warfare with a small description

1. Principles of War
Major W D S Rodrigo RSP psc GW

2. Principles of War – Evolution and Nature
- It has a long history of ancient warfare. ( Works by Sun Tzu of China ( 500
BCE), Carl von Clausewitz in 1812, 9 x Principles of Warfare by USA and British
Principles of War).
- These are the proven, battle tested and matured rules and guidelines in the
conduct of war and military operations.
- These principles are the direct outcomes of the actual war fighting's in the
history.

3. Selection and Maintenance of the Aim
Selection and maintenance of the aim is
regarded as the master principle of war. A
single, unambiguous aim is key to successful
military operations.

4. Maintenance of Morale
Maintenance of morale enables a
positive state of mind derived from
inspired political and military
leadership, a shared sense of purpose
and values, well-being, feeling of worth
and group cohesion.

5. Offensive Action
Offensive action is the practical way in which a
commander seeks to gain advantage, sustain
momentum and seize the initiative.

6. Security
Security is providing and maintaining an
operating environment that gives
freedom of action, when and where
required, to achieve objectives.

7. Surprice
Surprise is the consequence of
confusion induced by deliberately or
incidentally introducing the
unexpected.

8. Concentration of Force
Concentration of force involves decisively
synchronising applying superior fighting power
(physical, intellectual and moral) to realise
intended effects, when and where required.

9. Economy of Effort
Economy of effort is judiciously exploiting
manpower, materiel and time in relation
to the achieving objectives.

10. Flexibility
Flexibility is the ability to change readily to
meet new circumstances – it comprises
agility, responsiveness, resilience and
adaptability.

11. Cooperation
Cooperation incorporates teamwork and a
sharing of dangers, burdens, risks and
opportunities in every aspect of warfare.

12. Sustainability
Sustainability requires generating the
means by which fighting power and
freedom of action are maintained.

13. Conclusion
“The natural principle of war is to do the most harm to our
enemy with the least harm to ourselves; and this of course
is to be effected by stratagem”
- Washington Irving
Source : http://www.searchquotes.com/search/Principles_Of_War/#ixzz6BDMyXtld

14. References:
● Joint Doctrine Publication 0-01’’UK Defence Doctrine’, Joint Doctrine
Publication 0-01 (JDP 0-01) (5th Edition), dated November 2014.