The Motorcycle and the Modern Army

The motorcycle has been an exciting prospect forclose to battle lines in inhospitable terrain.
man. It is also a reflection of the spirit of adventure thatAnother use the armies have for the bike is for the
is ingrained in him. Thus the bike is part of crossMilitary police. The Military police has an important role
country drives, rallies and racing. In addition its use asto play when armies are stationed in garrisons at
an appendage to equipment for the army continueshome or abroad. They are an excellent tool for
unabated.catching errant service men in military areas. The bike
There is no doubt that the Second World War broughtbeing versatile as far as movement is concerned is an
out the full potential of the bike as a weapon of war.asset to the military as a police patrol.
But with the advent of better means of transportationModern armies also use the motorcycles for
and more sophisticated weapons its use as a weaponceremonial duties. These duties involving the use of
of war is considerably reduced.bikes add spit and polish to the Military culture. Bikes
Modern armies and air forces have not done awayare used for out riding duties for cavalcade of
with the motorcycle and it is used by most armies ofimportant dignitaries like the President the Vice
the world for a number of tasks. But the bikes use likePresident and the chiefs of the three services as well
in the Second World War when it was used with aas corp. commanders and heads of army formations.
side car and a mounted machine gun is now only partOutriding duties add to the luster of service life and the
of history.motorcycle is part of this ethos.
Modern armies use the motorcycle as an addendumOne of the uses of a motorcycle that still continues is
to their communication network. Bikes fitted with thethat of a dispatch rider. This is still in vogue in a lot of
latest communication equipment including wireless setsarmies. Though there is tremendous advancement in
are in fairly common use. The ability of the bike tothe communication network yet the ubiquitous
move in rugged and mountains terrain is its plus pointmotorcycle still finds its use as a dispatch rider when
and the bike with communication equipment can movethe terrain is rough and hilly.