ENHANCING UNIT MOBILITY DOCTRINE FOR HIGH-ALTITUDE MOUNTAIN TERRAIN IN CONTEMPORARY ARMED CONFLICTS

Abstract

High-altitude mountainous terrain remains one of the most demanding operational environments in contemporary armed conflicts. Steep gradients, limited routes, unpredictable weather, hypoxia, and communications shadow zones compress decision time and amplify the consequences of minor planning errors. In such conditions, “mobility” is not merely a matter of speed; it is a combined outcome of physiological readiness, terrain intelligence, command-and-control continuity, logistical endurance, and risk-balanced force protection. This article examines the key factors that shape unit movement effectiveness in high mountains and proposes a doctrine-oriented framework for improving movement planning and execution without relying on ad hoc improvisation. The study synthesizes lessons from contemporary operational literature, training doctrine, and environmental physiology, and organizes recommendations across five pillars: (1) human performance and acclimatization management, (2) terrain-informed route decision support, (3) resilient communications and navigation, (4) sustainment and casualty-evacuation readiness, and (5) leadership and coordination procedures tailored to dispersed maneuver. The article argues that improvement is best achieved through integrated training cycles, standardized planning checklists, simulation-supported rehearsals, and metrics that evaluate movement outcomes (safety, cohesion, tempo, and endurance) rather than raw distance or timing alone.