Indian Armed Forces

**Indian Armed Forces**
Military manpower
Emblem of India
Total armed forces	2,414,700^[1] (Ranked 3rd)
Active troops	1,414,000 (Ranked 3rd)
Total troops	3,773,300 (Ranked 6th)
Paramilitary forces	1,089,700^[2]
Conscription age	16 years of age
Availability	males age 15-49: 287,551,111 (2005 est.)
Fit for military service	males age 18-49: 219,471,999 (2005 est.)
Reaching conscription age annually	males: 11,446,452 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures
USD figure	25.97(nominal),100 billion (ppp) billion US $ (2006 est.) [3]
Percent of GDP	1.97% (2004 est.) [4]
Components
Indian Army
Indian Air Force
Indian Navy
Indian Coast Guard
Indian Paramilitary Forces
Strategic Nuclear Command
History
Military history of India
British Indian Army
Indian National Army
Ranks
Air Force ranks and insignia of India
Army ranks and insignia of India
Naval ranks and insignia of India
Related Info
Aircraft of the Indian Air Force
List of Indian divisions in WWII
Regiments of the Indian Army

The Indian Armed Forces is the primary military organization responsible for the territorial security and defence of India. The President of India serves as the supreme commander of the armed forces, which are subordinate and responsible to the Government of India headed by the Prime Minister of India. The armed forces are administered by the Ministry of Defence and are composed of the Indian Army, the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force. Auxiliary services include the Indian Coast Guard, the Indian Paramilitary Forces and the Strategic Forces Command.

All service personnel are volunteers although the government is empowered to undertake conscription if considered necessary for India's defence. However, India has never had conscription, even during the Indo-Pakistani Wars and the Sino-Indian War. The armed forces retain much of the organizational structure established by the British. However, the armed forces are an essential character of India's strategic importance, power and capabilities, which have increased after India became a declared nuclear weapons state.

Organization and command structure

The headquarters of the Indian Armed Forces is in New Delhi, the capital city of India. The Indian armed force are split into different groups based on their region of operation. The Indian Army is administratively divided into 7 tactical commands, each under the control of different Lieutenant Generals.

Structure of the Indian Army

The Indian Army fields 34 divisions. Its headquarters is located in the Indian capital New Delhi and it is under the overall command of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), currently General Deepak Kapoor.

The army operates 6 tactical commands and one training command known as ARTRAC. Each command is headed by General Officer Commanding-in-Chief with the rank of Lieutenant General. Each command is directly affiliated to the Army HQ in New Delhi.

There are 3 types of Corps in the Indian Army: Strike, Holding & Mixed. The Corps HQ is the largest field formation in the army.

Other field formations include: Divisions, Brigades, Battalions, Companies, Platoons, and Sections.

These are several Battalions or Units under the same formation in a Regiment. The Gurkha Regiment, for instance, has several battalions. All formations under a Regiment are battalions of the same arms or Corps (i.e. Infantry, or Engineers). Regiments are not exactly field formations in the sense they mostly do not make a formation. For instance, all Regiments of the Gurkha's would not fight together as one formation, but can be dispersed over various Brigades or Corps or even Commands.

In addition, the Indian Army has 63 Armoured Regiments, see List of Armoured Regiments in the Indian Army.

The Regiment of Artillery constitutes a formidable operational arm of Indian Army. Historically, it takes its lineage from Moghul Emperor Babur, who is popularly credited with introduction of artillery to India in the Battle of Panipat in 1526. However, evidence of earlier use of guns by Bahmani Kings in the Battle of Adoni in 1368 and King Mohammed Shah of Gujrat in fifteenth century have been recorded.

Rank Structure

Main article: Army ranks and insignia of India

The highest ranking Commissioned Officer is the Field Marshal and only two have been awarded this rank so far. The rank of General is held by the Chief of Army Staff, followed by Lieutenant-General, Major-General, Brigadier, Colonel, Lieutenant-Colonel, Major, Captain, and finally the Lieutenant.

Among the Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs), the ranks are organized from Honorary Captain (given to Outstanding JCO's Rank and pay of a Captain), Honorary Lieutenant (given to Outstanding JCO's Rank and pay of a Lieutenant), Subedar Major, Subedar to Naib Subedar.

Finally, among the Non-commissioned Officers (NCOs), the ranks are organized from Company Havildar Major, Company Quarter Master Havildar, Havildar, Naik, Lance Naik to the Sepoy.

Structure of the Indian Navy

Main article: Indian Navy

The Indian Navy is organized into three main commands and one joint command.

Eastern Naval Command at Visakhapatnam
Western Naval Command at Mumbai
Southern Naval Command at Kochi
Andaman & Nicobar Command (Joint command) at Port Blair

Structure of the Indian Air-Force

Main article: Indian Air Force

Recruitment and training

Recruitment is through three military related academies. These include the National Defence Academy, Indian Military Academy and Officers Training Academy. For entrance, one must display that they are both physically and mentally fit to be in the military by sitting examinations and undergoing medical checkups. The complete list of institutions training Indian army were listed in Military_academies_in_India section.

Indian Army

Main article: Indian Army

Strength

Agni-III intermediate-range ballistic missile.

Indian Army statistics
Active Troops	1,300,000
Artillery	11,500
Battle Tanks	5,100
Aircraft	42 squadrons of helicopters
Surface-to-air missiles	10,000

The Indian Army is the world's second largest army in terms of military personnel (after China). It is a completely voluntary service, the military draft having never been imposed in India. The army has rich combat experience in diverse terrains, due to India's diverse geography, and also has a distinguished history of serving in United Nations peacekeeping operations.

The force is headed by the Chief of Army Staff, currently General Deepak Kapoor. The highest rank in the Indian Army is Field Marshal, but it is a largely ceremonial rank and appointments are made by the President of India, on the advice of the Union Cabinet of Ministers, only in exceptional circumstances. (See Field Marshal (India)). General S.H.F.J. Manekshaw and the late General K.M. Cariappa are the only two officers who have attained this rank.

The Indian Army has seen military action in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947, the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965,the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, and others such as Operation Polo in 1948, the Sino-Indian War in 1962 over the McMahon Line, and the Kargil War against Kashmiri insurgents and the Pakistan military personnel

Currently, the Indian army has dedicated one brigade of troops to the UN's standby arrangements. Through its large, sustained troop commitments India has come in for much praise for taking part in difficult operations for prolonged periods.

The Indian Army has participated in several UN peace-keeping operations, including the ones in Cyprus, Lebanon, Congo, Angola, Cambodia, Vietnam, Namibia, El Salvador, Liberia, Mozambique and Somalia. The army also provided a paramedical unit to facilitate the withdrawal of the sick and wounded in Korea.

War heroes

Major Som Nath Sharma	4th Battalion, Kumaon Regiment	November 3, 1947	Badgam, Kashmir, India
Lance Naik Karam Singh	1st Battalion, Sikh Regiment	October 13, 1948	Tithwal, Kashmir, India
Second Lieutenant Rama Raghoba Rane	Corps of Engineers	April 8, 1948	Naushera, Kashmir, India
Naik Jadu Nath Singh	1st Battalion, Rajput Regiment	February 1948	Naushera, Kashmir, India
Company Havildar Major Piru Singh	6th Battalion, Rajputana Rifles	July 17/18, 1948	Tithwal, Kashmir, India
Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria	3rd Battalion, 1st Gorkha Rifles (The Malaun Regiment)	December 5, 1961	Elizabethville, Katanga, Congo
Major Dhan Singh Thapa	1st Battalion, 8th Gorkha Rifles	October 20, 1962	Ladakh, India
Subedar Joginder Singh	1st Battalion, Sikh Regiment	October 23, 1962	Tongpen La, Northeast Frontier Agency, India
Major Shaitan Singh	13th Battalion, Kumaon Regiment	November 18, 1962	Rezang La
Company Quarter Master Havildar Abdul Hamid	4th Battalion, The Grenadiers	September 10, 1965	Chima, Khem Karan Sector
Lieutenant-Colonel Ardeshir Burzorji Tarapore	17th Poona Horse	October 15, 1965	Phillora, Sialkot Sector, Pakistan
Lance Naik Albert Ekka	14th Battalion, Brigade of the Guards	December 3, 1971	Gangasagar
2/Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal	17th Poona Horse	December 16, 1971	Jarpal, Shakargarh Sector
Major Hoshiar Singh	3rd Battalion, The Grenadiers	December 17, 1971	Basantar River, Shakargarh Sector
Naib Subedar Bana Singh	8th Battalion, Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry	June 23, 1987	Siachen Glacier, Jammu and Kashmir
Major Ramaswamy Parmeshwaran	8th Battalion, Mahar Regiment	November 25, 1987	Sri Lanka
Captain Vikram Batra	13th Battalion, Jammu and Kashmir Rifles	July 6, 1999	Point 5140, Point 4875, Kargil Area
Lieutenant Manoj Kumar Pandey	1st Battalion, 11th Gorkha Rifles	July 3, 1999	Khaluber/Juber Top, Batalik sector, Kargil area, Jammu and Kashmir
Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav	18th Battalion, The Grenadiers	July 4, 1999	Tiger Hill, Kargil area
Lance Naik Ghulam Mohammed Khan	12 Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry	July 1999	Kargil area
Rifleman Sanjay Kumar	13th Battalion, Jammu and Kashmir Rifles	July 5, 1999	Area Flat Top, Kargil Area
Captain Haneef uddin	11 Rajputana Rifles	July 1999	Turtuk, Kargil area

Indian Navy

Main article: Indian Navy

Destroyer INS Mysore (D60).

The Indian Navy is the naval branch of the armed forces of India. With 55,000 men and women, including 5,000 naval aviation personnel and 2,000 Marine Commandos (MARCOS), it is the world's fifth largest navy.^[1] The Indian Navy currently operates more than 155 vessels, including the aircraft carrier INS Viraat. The navy is considered to have blue-water capabilities. It is fairly advanced in terms of technology and is in control of one of two Asian aircraft carriers. Two more aircraft carriers are on order and will be joining the Indian Navy. The ships of the Indian Navy are of Indian and foreign origin.^[2]

In its maritime doctrine, the Indian Navy establishes its role in providing support to maritime neighbours during natural disasters. This was demonstrated during the Asian tsunami crisis during which the Indian Navy sent 35 ships to support relief efforts in neighbouring countries. The Indian navy has taken part in UN missions in the coast of Somalia and has provided security to an African Union summit held in Mozambique. India uses its navy to enhance its international relations through joint exercises, port visits, and humanitarian missions, including disaster relief. The Indian Navy is increasing its capabilities as a true blue-water navy; the Indian Navy's doctrine states that this is for the collective good of nations.^[3]

Indian Air Force

Main article: Indian Air Force

Sukhoi-30 MKI of the Indian Air Force

The Indian Air Force is the fourth largest air force in the world ^[4]^[5]. In its history, it has generally relied on Soviet technology to support its growth. However, in recent times, India has begun building its own original aircraft, including the HAL Tejas, which is a fourth generation fighter . There are reports that Russia and India are planning to build a 5th generation aircraft jointly . India has also developed UAV called Nishant and advance light helicopter. Recently it has completed a test of long range BVR air to air missile named Astra and also conducted a successful test of Anti ballistic missile defense system and hence became the 4th country after US,Russia and Israel to do so.

Indian Paramilitary Forces

Main article: Indian Paramilitary Forces

Indian Nuclear Power

Nuclear doctrine

A cloud of dust rises above the test shafts at the Pokhran range during Opearation Shakti

The Indian military possesses many nuclear weapons and sufficient means — by means of missiles and aircraft — to deliver these over long distances. However, India has a nuclear no-first-use and no use against non-nuclear weapons state policy. It also maintains a nuclear doctrine based on credible minimum deterrence. India is not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT), arguing that it unfairly favours the established nuclear powers: While the treaty places restrictions on the non-nuclear weapons states, it does little to curb the modernization and expansion of the nuclear arsenals of the nuclear weapons states; it provides no provision for complete nuclear disarmament.

Gallantry awards

The highest wartime gallantry award given by the Military of India is the Param Vir Chakra (PVC), followed by the Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) and the Vir Chakra (VrC). Its peacetime equivalent is the Ashoka Chakra. The highest decoration for meritorious service is the Param Vishisht Seva Medal.

Future

Several reports have mentioned that the Indian military will be an even greater force to reckon with in the future given the twin advantage of economic growth and an increasing population. Analyses of the Central Intelligence Agency indicates that India is projected to possess the fourth most capable concentration of power by 2015. ^[6] According to a report published by the US Congress, India is the developing world's leading arms purchaser^[7].

Gallery

Destroyer INS Ranjit (D53).

The Vikrant class aircraft carrier will join the Indian Navy in 2012.

An Indian Army upgraded Ajeya during an exercise.

Notes

^ Does not include members of the Indian Police Service

References

CIA World Factbook 2005: India
Militarism in India: The Army and Civil Society in Consensus- by A. Kundu

External links

BharatRakshak.com- Informative site on the Indian Military
Indian Armed Forces - Indian military's official website
Indian Air Force - Official website
India Defence - Military & Defence News
Indian Military Build-up TIME.com

This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)

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