Defence service

Of india

Defence Services of India

Air force Army Navy
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Indian air force

Touch the sky with glory

FOUNDED - 8 Oct 1932 Present. COUNTRY - INDIA. SIZE IS - 170,000 Active Personnel. 1500 Aircraft. PART OF - Ministry of defense. Indian Armed Forces. COLOUR - Navy blue, Sky blue and white.

HEADQUATER - New Delhi. ANNIVARSARIES - Air Force Day 8th Oct

INDIAN AIR FORCE

The Indian Air Force is the air arm of the Indian armed forces. Its primary responsibility is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during a conflict. It was officially established on 8 October 1932 as an auxiliary air force of the Indian Empire and the prefix Royal was added in 1945 in recognition of its services during World War II. After India achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1947, the Royal Indian Air Force served the Union of India, with the prefix being dropped when India became a republic in 1950.
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. The President of India serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the IAF. The Chief of Air Staff, an Air Chief Marshal (ACM), is a four star commander and commands the Air Force. There is never more than one serving ACM at any given time in the IAF. One officer Arjan Singh , DFC has been conferred the rank of Marshal of the Air Force, a 5-star rank and the officer serves as the ceremonial chief. With strength of approximately 170,000 personnel and 1,500+ aircraft, the Indian Air Force is the world's fourth largest air force after the United States Air Force, Russian Air Force and China's People's Liberation Army Air Force.[4][5] In recent years, the IAF has undertaken an ambitious expansion and modernisation program to replace its aging Soviet-era fighter jets. The IAF's mission is defined by the Armed Forces Act of 1947, Constitution of India and the Air Force Act of 1950, in the aerial battlespace, as: Thus, the IAF has the primary objective of safeguarding Indian territory and national interests from all threats in conjunction with the other branches of the armed forces by defending Indian airspace. The IAF provides close air support to the Indian Army troops in the battlefield and also provides strategic and tactical airlift capabilities. The IAF also operates the Integrated Space Cell together with the other two branches of the Indian Armed Forces, the civilian Department of Space and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) to utilize more effectively the country's space-based assets for military purposes and to look into threats to these assets. The Indian Air Force along with the other branches of the Indian Armed Forces provide assistance in disaster relief such as during natural calamities by undertaking evacuation or search-and-rescue (SAR) operations and air dropping relief supplies in affected areas. The IAF provided extensive assistance to relief operations during natural calamities such as the Gujarat cyclone in 1998 and the Tsunami in 2004. The IAF also provides assistance
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to other countries during relief activities such as Operation Rainbow in Sri Lanka. The Indian Air Force was established in British India as an auxiliary air force of the Royal Air Force with the enactment of the Indian Air Force Act 1932 on 8 October that year and adopted the Royal Air Force uniforms , badges, brevets and insignia. On 1 April 1933, the IAF commissioned its first squadron, No.1 Squadron, with four Westland Wapiti biplanes and five Indian pilots. The Indian pilots were led by Flight Lieutenant (later Air Vice Marshal) Cecil Bouchier. Until 1938, No. 1 Squadron remained the only squadron of the IAF, though two more flights were added. During World War II, the red blob was removed from the IAF roundel to eliminate confusion with the Japanese Red Sun Emblem. The Air Force grew to seven squadrons in 1943 and to nine squadrons in 1945. The IAF helped in blocking the advance of the Japanese army in Burma, where its first air strike was on the Japanese military base in Arakan. It also carried out strike missions against the Japanese airbases at Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in northern Thailand. In recognition of the crucial role played by the IAF, King George VI conferred it the prefix "Royal" in 1945. During the war, many youth joined the Indian National Army. Forty five of them (known as the Tokyo Boys) were sent to train as fighter pilots at the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force Academy in 1944 by Subhas Chandra Bose. After the war, they were interned by the Allies and were court-martialled. After Indian independence, some of them rejoined the IAF for service.

First years of independence (19471950)

After gaining independence from the British Empire in 1947, British India was partitioned into the new states of the Union of India and the Dominion of Pakistan. Along the lines of the geographical partition, the assets of the air force were divided between the new countries. India's air force retained the name of the Royal Indian Air Force, but three of the ten operational squadrons and facilities, located within the borders of Pakistan, were transferred to the Royal Pakistan Air Force. The RIAF Roundel was changed to an interim 'Chakra' roundel derived from the Ashoka Chakra.

Around the same time, conflict broke out between them over the control of the princely state of Jammu & Kashmir. With Pakistani forces moving into the state, its Maharaja decided to accede to India in order to receive military help. The day after instrument of accession was signed, the RIAF was called upon to transport troops into the war-zone. This led to the eruption of full scale war between India and Pakistan, though there was no formal declaration of war. During the war, the RIAF did not engage the Pakistan Air Force in air-to-air combat; however, it did provide effective transport and close air support to the Indian troops. When India became a republic in 1950, the prefix 'Royal' was dropped from the Indian Air Force. At the same time, the current IAF roundel was adapted.

Congo crisis and liberation of Goa (19601961)

The IAF saw significant conflict in 1960, when Belgium's 75-year rule over Congo ended abruptly, engulfing the nation in widespread violence and rebellion. IAF sent No. 5 Squadron, equipped with English Electric Canberra, to support United Nations Operation in the Congo. The squadron started undertaking operational missions in November. The unit remained there until 1966, when the UN mission ended. Operating from Leopoldville and Kamina, the Canberras soon destroyed the rebel Air Force and provided the UN ground forces with its only long-range air support force. In late 1961, the Indian government decided to deploy the armed forces in an effort to evict the Portuguese out of Goa and other Enclaves after years of negotiation. The Indian Air Force was requested to provide support elements to the ground force in what was called Operation Vijay. Probing flights by some fighters and bombers were carried out from 818 December to draw out the Portuguese Air Force, but to no avail. On December 18, two waves of Canberra bombers bombed the runway of Dabolim airfield taking care not to bomb the Terminals and the ATC tower. Two Portuguese transport air craft (a Super Constellation and a DC-6) found on the airfield were left alone so that they can be captured intact. However the Portuguese pilots managed to take off the aircraft from the still damaged airfield and made their getaway to Portugal. Hunters attacked the wireless station at Bambolim. Vampires were used to provide air support to the ground forces. In Daman, Mystres were used to strike Portuguese gun positions. Ouragans (called Toofanis in the
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IAF) bombed the runways at Diu and destroyed the control tower, wireless station and the meteorological station.

Border disputes and changes in the IAF (19621971)

HAL HF-24 Marut, the first indigenous fighter jet to enter service with the Indian Air Force. In 1962, border disagreements between China and India escalated to a war when China mobilised its troops across the Indian border. During the SinoIndian War, India's military planners failed to deploy and effectively use the IAF against the invading Chinese forces. This resulted in India losing a significant amount of advantage to the Chinese; especially in Jammu and Kashmir. Three years after the Sino-Indian conflict, in 1965, India went to war with Pakistan again over Kashmir in what came to be known as the Second Kashmir War. Learning from the experiences of the Sino-Indian war, India used its air force extensively during the war. This was the first time the IAF actively engaged an enemy air force. However, instead of providing close air support to the Indian Army, the IAF carried out independent raids against PAF bases. These bases were situated deep inside Pakistani territory, making IAF fighters vulnerable to anti-aircraft fire. During the course of the conflict, the PAF enjoyed qualitative superiority over the IAF as most of the jets in IAF's fleet were of post World War II vintage. Despite this, the IAF was able to prevent the PAF from gaining air superiority over conflict zones. By the time the conflict had ended, Pakistan claimed to have shot down 113 IAF aircraft while the Indians claimed 73 PAF aircraft were downed. More than 60% of IAF's air combat losses took place during the battles over Kalaikunda and Pathankot; where most of the aircraft were destroyed while parked on the ground. After the 1965 war, the IAF underwent a series of changes to improve its capabilities. In 1966, the Para Commandos regiment was created. To increase its logistics supply and rescue operations ability, the IAF inducted 72 HS 748s which were built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) under license from Avro.[34] India started to put more stress on indigenous manufacture of fighter aircraft. As a result, HAL HF-24 Marut, designed by
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the famed German aerospace engineer Kurt Tank, were inducted into the air force. HAL also started developing an improved version of the Folland Gnat, known as HAL Ajeet. At the same time, the IAF also started inducting Mach 2 capable Soviet MiG-21 and Sukhoi Su-7 fighters.

Bangladesh Liberation War (1971)

By late 1971, the intensification of the independence movement in erstwhile East Pakistan lead to the Bangladesh Liberation War between India and Pakistan . On 22 November 1971, 10 days before the start of a full-scale war, four PAF F-86 Sabre jets attacked Indian and Mukti Bahini positions at Garibpur, near the international border. Three of the four PAF Sabres were shot down by the IAF's Folland Gnats. On 3 December, India formally declared war against Pakistan following massive preemptive strikes by the PAF against Indian Air Force installations in Srinagar, Ambala, Sirsa, Halwara and Jodhpur. However, the IAF did not suffer significantly because the leadership had anticipated such a move and precautions were taken. The Indian Air Force was quick to respond to Pakistani air strikes, following which the PAF carried out mostly defensive sorties. Within the first two weeks, the IAF had carried out almost 2,000 sorties over East Pakistan and also provided close air support to the advancing Indian Army. IAF also assisted the Indian Navy in its operations against the Pakistani Navy and Maritime Security Agency in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea. On the western front, the IAF destroyed more than 29 Pakistani tanks, 40 APCs and a railway train during the Battle of Longewala. The IAF undertook strategic bombing of West Pakistan by carrying out raids on oil installations in Karachi, the Mangla Dam and a gas plant in Sindh. Similar strategy was also deployed in East Pakistan and as the IAF achieved complete air superiority on the eastern front, the ordnance factories, runways, and other vital areas of East Pakistan were severely damaged. By the time Pakistani forces surrendered, the IAF claimed that 94 PAF aircraft, including 54 F-86 Sabres had been shot down. The IAF had flown over 6,000 sorties[42] on both East and West fronts; including sorties by transport aircraft and helicopters.[42] Towards the end of the war, IAF's transport planes dropped leaflets over Dhaka urging the Pakistani forces to surrender, demoralising Pakistani troops in East Pakistan.

Incidents before Kargil (19841988)

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In 1984, India launched Operation Meghdoot to capture the Siachen Glacier in the contested Kashmir region. IAF's Mi-8, Chetak and Cheetah helicopters airlifted hundreds of Indian troops to Siachen. Launched on 13 April 1984, this military operation was unique because of Siachen's inhospitable terrain and climate. The military action was successful, given the fact that under a previous agreement, neither Pakistan nor India had stationed any personnel in the area. The Indian forces, facing no opposition, took control over most of the heights on the glacier. Following the failure to negotiate an end to the Sri Lankan Civil War, and to provide humanitarian aid through an unarmed convoy of ships, the Indian Government decided to carry out an airdrop of the humanitarian supplies on the evening of 4 June 1987 designated Operation Poomalai (Tamil: Garland) or Eagle Mission 4. Five An-32s escorted by five Mirage 2000s carried out the supply drop which faced no opposition from the Sri Lankan Armed Forces. Sri Lanka accused India of "blatant violation of sovereignty". India insisted that it was acting only on humanitarian grounds. In 1987, the IAF supported the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in northern and eastern Sri Lanka in Operation Pawan. About 70,000 sorties were flown by the IAF's transport and helicopter force in support of nearly 100,000 troops and paramilitary forces without a single aircraft lost or mission aborted. IAF An-32s maintained a continuous air link between air bases in South India and Northern Sri Lanka transporting men, equipment, rations and evacuating casualties. Mi-8s supported the ground forces and also provided air transportation to the Sri Lankan civil administration during the elections.[53] Mi-25s of No. 125 Helicopter Unit were utilised to provide suppressive fire against militant strong points and to interdict coastal and clandestine riverine traffic. On the night of November 3, 1988, the Indian Air Force mounted special operations to airlift a parachute battalion group from Agra, non-stop over 2000 kilometres to the remote Indian Ocean archipelago of the Maldives in response to Maldivian president Gayoom's request for military help against a mercenary invasion in Operation Cactus. The IL-76s of No. 44 Squadron landed at Hulhule at 0030 hours and the Indian paratroopers secured the airfield and restored Government rule at Male within hours.
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Kargil War (1999)

On 11 May 1999, the Indian Air Force was called in to provide close air support to the Indian Army at the height of the ongoing Kargil conflict with the use of helicopters. The IAF strike was code named Operation Safed Sagar. The first strikes were launched on the 26 May, when the Indian Air Force struck infiltrator positions with fighter aircraft and helicopter gunships. The initial strikes saw MiG-27s carrying out offensive sorties, with MiG-21s and later MiG-29s providing fighter cover. The IAF also deployed its radars and the MiG-29 fighters in vast numbers to keep check on Pakistani military movements across the border. Srinagar Airport was at this time closed to civilian air-traffic and dedicated to the Indian Air Force. On 27 May, the first fatalities were suffered when a MiG-21 and a MiG-27 jets were lost over Batalik Sector to enemy action and mechanical failure, respectively. The following day, a Mi-17 was lost- with the loss of all four of the crew- when it was hit by three stingers while on an offensive sortie. These losses forced the Indian Air Force to reassess its strategy. The helicopters were immediately withdrawn from offensive roles as a measure against the man-portable missiles in possession of the infiltrators. On 30 May, the Indian Air Force called into operation the Mirage 2000 which was deemed the best aircraft capable of optimum performance under the conditions of high-altitude seen in the zone of conflict. Mirage 2000s not only had better defence equipment compared to the MiGs, but also gave IAF the ability to carry out aerial raids at night. The MiG-29s were used extensively to provide fighter escort to the Mirage 2000. The Mirages successfully targeted enemy camps and logistic bases in Kargil and within days, their supply lines were severely disrupted. Mirage 2000s were used for strikes on Muntho Dhalo and the heavily defended Tiger Hill and paved the
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way for their early recapture. At the height of the conflict, the IAF was conducting over forty sorties daily over the Kargil region. By 26 July, the Indian forces had successfully liberated Kargil from Pakistani forces.

Post Kargil incidents (1999present)

On 10 August 1999, IAF MiG-21s intercepted a Pakistan Navy Breguet Atlantic which was flying over the disputed region of Sir Creek. The aircraft was shot down killing all 16 Pakistani Navy personnel on board. India claimed that the Atlantic was on a mission to gather information on IAF air defence, a charge emphatically rejected by Pakistan which argued that the unarmed aircraft was on a training mission. Since the late 1990s, the Indian Air Force has been modernising its fleet to counter challenges in the new century. The fleet size of the IAF has decreased during this period because of the retirement of older aircraft. Still, India maintains the fourth largest air force. Structure The President of India is the Supreme Commander of all Indian armed forces and by virtue of that fact is the notional Commander of the Air Force. India's Ministry of Defence under the Defence Minister oversees the Air Force, by way of direct civilian leadership. The Prime Minister and the National Security Council provide indirect leadership by shaping government security policy. A Chief of the Air Staff with the rank of Air Chief Marshal commands Air Headquarters and provides military leadership. He is assisted by six officers: a Vice Chief of the Air Staff, a Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, the Air Officer in Charge of Administration, the Air Officer in Charge of Personnel, the Air Officer in Charge of Maintenance, and the Inspector General of Flight Safety. In January 2002, the government conferred the rank of Marshal of the Air Force on Arjan Singh making him the first and only Five Star rank officer with the Indian Air Force and ceremonial chief of the air force.

Commands and structure

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The Indian Air Force is divided into five operational and two functional commands. Each Command is headed by an Air Officer Commanding-inChief with the rank of Air Marshal. The purpose of an operational command is to conduct military operations using aircraft within its area of responsibility, whereas the responsibility of functional commands is to maintain combat readiness. Aside from the Training Command at Bangalore, the centre for primary flight training is located at the Air Force Academy in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, followed by operational training at various other schools. Advanced officer training for command positions is also conducted at the Defence Services Staff College; specialised advanced flight training schools are located at Bidar, Karnataka, and Hakimpet, Andhra Pradesh (also the location for helicopter training). Technical schools are found at a number of other locations.

Bases
The IAF operates over sixty air bases, with more being built or planned. Western Air Command is the largest Air Command. It operates sixteen air bases from Punjab to Uttar Pradesh. Eastern Air Command operates fifteen Air bases in Eastern and North-eastern India. Central Air Command operates seven Air Bases in Madhya Pradesh and surrounding states of central India. Southern Air Command, a strategically important Air command, in line with India's latest doctrine of protecting the vital shipping routes. It operates nine Air bases in Southern India and two in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. South Western Air Command is the front line of defence against Pakistan, this important Command operates twelve air bases in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. India also operates the Farkhor Air Base in Tajikistan.[71]

Wings
A Wing is a formation intermediate between a Command and a Squadron. It generally consists of two or three IAF Squadrons and Helicopter Units, along with Forward Base Support Units (FBSU). FBSUs do not have or host any Squadrons or Helicopter units but act as transit airbases for routine operations. In times of war, they can become fully fledged air bases playing host to various Squadrons. In all, about 47 Wings and 19 FBSUs make up the IAF.

Squadrons
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Squadrons are the field units and formations attached to static locations. Thus, a Flying Squadron is a sub-unit of an air force station which carries out the primary task of the IAF. All fighter squadrons are headed by a Commanding Officer with the rank of Wing Commander. Some Transport squadrons and Helicopter Units are headed by a Commanding Officer with the rank of Group Captain. Within this formation structure, IAF has several service branches for day-today operations. They are: Flying Branch Technical Branch Ground Branch Flying Engineering Administration Logistics Accounts Education Medical & Dental Meteorological

Garud Commando Force

In September 2004, the IAF established its own special operation unit called the Garud Commando Force, consisting of approximately 1500 personnel. The unit derives its name from Garuda, a divine bird-like creature of Hindu Mythology, but more commonly the word for eagle in Sanskrit. Guard is tasked with the protection of critical installations; search and rescue during peace and hostilities and disaster relief during calamities.

Integrated Space Cell

An Integrated Space Cell, which will be jointly operated by all the three services of the Indian armed forces, the civilian Department of Space and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has been set up to utilize more effectively the country's space-based assets for military purposes and to look into threats to these assets.[7][8] This command will leverage space technology including satellites. Unlike an aerospace command, where the air force controls most of its activities, the Integrated Space Cell envisages
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cooperation and coordination between the three services as well as civilian agencies dealing with space. India currently has 11 remote sensing satellites in orbit. Though most are not meant to be dedicated military satellites, some have a spacial resolution of 1 metre or below which can be also used for military applications. Noteworthy satellites include the Technology Experiment Satellite (TES) which has a panchromatic camera (PAN) with a resolution of 1 metre, the RISAT-2 which is capable of imaging in all-weather conditions and has a resolution of one metre, the CARTOSAT-2, CARTOSAT-2A (a dedicated military satellite) and CARTOSAT-2B which carries a panchromatic camera which has a resolution of 80 centimeters (black and white only).

Display Teams
Surya Kiran (Sanskrit for Sun Rays) is an aerobatics demonstration team of the Indian Air Force. The Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) was formed in 1996 and are successors to the Thunderbolts. The team has a total of 13 pilots (selected from the fighter stream of the IAF) and operate 9 HAL HJT16 Kiran Mk.2 trainer aircraft painted in a "day-glo orange" and white colour scheme. The Surya Kiran team was conferred squadron status in 2006, and presently have the designation of 52 Squadron, Air force ("The Sharks"). Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team is based at the Indian Air Force Station at Bidar. The HJT-16 Kiran is to be replaced by the HAL HJT-36 Sitara. The IAF have already given an order for 12 Limited Series Production aircraft for the Surya Kiran team. Meanwhile, IAF has begun the process of converting Surya Kiran to BAE Hawks. It will take will 23 years for the team to completely shift to Hawks. Sarang is the Helicopter Display Team of the Indian Air Force. The name Sarang (Sanskrit for Peacock) is symbolic as it is the national bird of India. The team was formed in October 2003 and their first public performance was at the Asian Aerospace Show, Singapore, 2004. The team flies four HAL Dhruvs painted in red and white with a peacock figure at the each side of the fuselage. The Sarang display team is based at the Indian Air Force base at Air Force Station Sulur, Coimbatore.

Officers
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Anyone holding Indian citizenship can apply to be an officer in the Air Force as long as they satisfy the eligibility criteria. There are four entry points to become an officer. Male applicants, who are between the ages of 16 and 19 and have passed high school graduation, can apply at the Intermediate level. Men and women applicants, who have graduated from college (three year course) and are between the ages of 18 and 28, can apply at the Graduate level entry. Graduates of engineering colleges can apply at the Engineer level if they are between the ages of 18 and 28 years. The age limit for the flying and ground duty branch is 23 years of age and for technical branch is 28 years of age. After completing a master's degree, men and women between the ages of 18 and 28 years can apply at the Post Graduate level. Post graduate applicants do not qualify for the flying branch. For the technical branch the age limit is 28 years and for the ground duty branch it is 25. At the time of application, all applicants must be single.[94] The IAF selects candidates for officer training from these applicants. After completion of training, a candidate is commissioned as a Flying Officers.

Ranks of the Indian Air Force- Officer Ranks

Sho ulde r Slee ve

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Marsh Air Air Air Air Group Wing Squad Flight Pilot Ran al of Chief Vice Flying Marsh Comm Captai Comm ron Lieute Officer k the Air Marsh Marsh Officer 2 al odore n ander Leader nant Force al al

Honorary/War time rank.

2

Rank no longer exist.

Airmen

A Squadron Leader leading the IAF Airmen during a guard of honour ceremony to Lula da Silva at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The duty of an airman in the Indian Air Force is to make sure that all the air and ground operations run smoothly. From operating Air Defence systems to fitting missiles, they are involved in all activities of an air base and give support to various technical and non-technical jobs. The recruitment of personnel below officer rank is conducted through All India Selection Tests and Recruitment Rallies. All India Selection Tests are conducted among 14 Airmen Selection Centres (ASCs) located all over India. These centres are under the direct functional control of Central Airmen Selection Board (CASB), with administrative control and support by respective commands. The role of CASB is to carry out selection and enrolment of airmen from the Airmen Selection Centres
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for their respective commands. Candidates initially take a written test at the time of application. Those passing the written test undergo a physical fitness test, an interview conducted in English, and medical examination. Candidates for training are selected from individuals passing the battery of tests, on the basis of their performance. Upon completion of training, an individual becomes an Airman.[96] Some MWOs and WOs are granted honorary commission in the last year of their service as an honorary Flying Officer or Flight Lieutenant before retiring from the services.
Ranks of the Indian Air Force - Enlisted Ranks Junior Commissioned Officer Enlisted

Shoul der Ar m Sleev e

Rank

Master Warrant Officer

Warrant Officer

Junior Warrant Officer

Serge ant

Corpo ral

Leading Aircrafts man

Aircrafts man

Non Combatants Enrolled and civilians

Non Combatants Enrolled (NCs(E)) were established in British India as personal assistants to the officer class, and are equivalent to the orderly or sahayak of the Indian Army. Almost all the commands have some percentage of civilian strength which are central government employees. These are regular ranks which
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are prevalent in ministries. They are usually not posted outside their stations and are employed in administrative and non-technical work.

Training and education

The Sudan Block of the National Defence Academy (NDA). NDA serves as the joint services academy for the Army, the Navy and the Air Force. The Indian Armed Forces has set up numerous military academies across India for training its personnel. Military schools, Sainik Schools, and the Rashtriya Indian Military College were founded to broaden the recruitment base of the Defence Forces. The three branches of the Indian Armed Forces jointly operate several institutions such as the National Defence Academy (NDA), Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), National Defence College (NDC) and the College of Defence Management (CDM) for training its officers. The Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) at Pune is responsible for providing the entire pool of medical staff to the Armed Forces by giving them in service training. Besides these Tri-service institutions, the Indian Air Force has a Training Command and several training establishments. While technical and other support staff are trained at various Ground Training Schools, the pilots are trained at the Air Force Academy located at Dundigul. The Pilot Training Establishment at Allahabad, the Air Force Administrative
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College at Coimbatore, the School of Aviation Medicine at Bangalore, the Air Force Technical Training College at Jalahalli and the Paratroopers Training School at Agra are some of the other training establishments of the IAF. The Indian Air Force has aircraft of British, French and Russian (erstwhile Soviet) origins. Israel, Russia and the United States are India's top three military suppliers, with Russian aircraft dominating its inventory. HAL produces some of the Russian and British aircraft in India under licence. The exact number of aircraft in service with the Indian Air Force cannot be determined with precision from open sources. Various reliable sources provide notably divergent estimates for a variety of high-visibilit y aircraft.

Fighter and multi-role combat aircraft

The fighter aircraft in the IAF inventory are the primary means to achieve and maintain air supremacy over the battle field. These aircraft are designed for air-to-air combat in order to achieve their goals. The Sukhoi Su-30MKI is the IAF's primary air superiority fighter with the capability to conduct strike missions. The IAF have placed an order for a total of 272 Su-30MKIs of which 142 are in service as of January 2011. The Mikoyan MiG-29 known as Baaz (Hindi for Hawk) is the IAF's dedicated air superiority fighter and forms the second line of defence for the IAF after the Sukhoi Su-30MKI. The IAF operates 69 MiG-29s, all of which are currently being upgraded to the MiG-29SMT standard. The Dassault Mirage 2000, known as Vajra (Sanskrit for Thunderbolt) in Indian service, is the IAF's primary multirole fighter. The IAF currently operates 51 Mirage 2000Hs. The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 serves as an Interceptor aircraft in the IAF. The IAF currently operates about 200 MiG-21s, 121 of which have been upgraded to MiG-21 Bison standard.[108] While the MiG-21 Bison is likely to be in service till 2017, the remaining aircraft are expected to
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be phased out by 2013. The MiG-21s are planned to be replaced by the indigenously built HAL Tejas.

Strike, attack and close support aircraft

SEPECAT Jaguar
These are military aircraft designed to attack targets on the ground. They are often deployed as close air support for, and in proximity to, their own ground forces, requiring precision strikes from these aircraft. The SEPECAT Jaguar known as Shamsher and the Mikoyan MiG-27 known as Bahadur (Hindi for Valiant) serve as the IAF's primary ground attack force. The IAF currently operates 169 Jaguars[112] and over 100 MiG-27s.

Airborne early warning aircraft

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IAF Beriev A-50EI Mainstay AEW&C

These aircraft are designed to detect and distinguish hostile aircraft. The system can be used to direct fighters and strike aircraft to their targets and warn them of hostile enemy aircraft in the area. The India Air Force agreed in 2004 to purchase three systems for $1.1 billion. Russia and Israel on 10 October 2004 signed a tripartite agreement to facilitate the equipping of the Indian Air Force (IAF) with the Phalcon airborne warning and control systems. The IAF plans to mount the Phalcon radar and surveillance systems from IAI on Il-76 aircraft supplied by Russia. India received its first AWACS on 25 May 2009. 2010-09-26 The Press Trust of India today reported that the Indian Air Force will look to purchase two more Phalcon AWACS. These are in addition to the three Phalcon AWACS procured earlier. The IAF currently operates the IAI EL/M-2075 Phalcon AWACS radar on an Ilyushin Il-76 platform. A total of 3 such systems have been ordered of which two have been delivered while the delivery of the third is expected by December 2010. The IAI EL/M-2075 Phalcon is an Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) radar system developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Elta Electronics Industries of Israel. Its primary objective is to provide intelligence to maintain air superiority and conduct surveillance. The Federation of American Scientists is quoted to have stated that the Phalcon was the most advanced AEW&C system. The system is currently in-service with four countriesIsrael, India, Chile and Singapore.

Tanker aircraft

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IAF Il-78MKI These aircraft are used for aerial refueling which allows IAF aircraft to remain airborne for longer periods, hence enhancing their effective range. Aerial refueling also allows aircraft to take-off with greater payload (by carrying less fuel during take-off). The IAF currently operates 6 Ilyushin Il-78MKIs for aerial refueling roles.[114][115] A Request for Proposal for 6 additional tanker aircraft was issued in September 2010. The EADS A330 MMRT and the Il-78 are still in the competition after Boeing withdrew the KC-767.

Transport aircraft

IAF Il-76 landing at Leh airfield.

Transport aircraft are typically used to deliver troops, weapons, supplies and other military equipment to the IAF field of operations. The IAF currently operate different types of transport aircraft for different roles.
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The IAF operates Ilyushin Il-76s known as Gajraj (Hindi for King Elephant) for military transport roles such as strategic or heavy lift at all operational levels. The IAF currently operates 24 Il-76s. The Il-76s are to be replaced by C-17 Globemaster IIIs. The Antonov An-32 known as Sutlej (name of an Indian river) serves as medium transport aircraft in the IAF. The aircraft is also used in bombing roles and para-dropping operations. The IAF currently operates 105 An-32s, all of which are being upgraded. The Hawker Siddeley HS 748 once formed the backbone of the IAF's transport fleet, but are now used mainly for transport training and communication duties. The Dornier Do 228 serves as light transport aircraft in the IAF. The IAF also operates Boeing 737s and Embraer ECJ-135 Legacy aircraft as VIP Transports.The Indian air force has inducted one C130J Super Hercules transport aircraft from US recently.

Training aircraft

IAF BAE Hawk Mk 132

Training aircraft are used to develop piloting and nagivational skills in pilots and air crew. The HAL HPT-32 Deepak is IAF's basic flight training aircraft for cadets. The HPT-32 was grounded in July 2009 following a crash that killed two senior flight instructors, but was revived in May 2010 and is
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to be fitted with a parachute recovery system (PRS) to enhance survivability during an emergency in the air and to bring the trainer down safely.[127] The HPT-32 is to be phased out soon. The IAF uses the HAL HJT-16 Kiran mk.I for intermediate flight training of cadets, while the HJT-16 Kiran mk.II provides advanced flight and weapons training. The HAL HJT-16 Kiran Mk.2 is also operated by the Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) of the IAF. The Kiran is to be replaced by the HAL HJT-36 Sitara. The BAE Hawk Mk 132 serves as an advanced jet trainer in the IAF and is progressively replacing the Kiran Mk.II. The IAF has begun the process of converting the Surya Kiran display team to Hawks. A total of 106 BAE Hawk trainers have been ordered by the IAF of which 39 have entered service as of July 2010.

Helicopters

HAL Dhruv of the Indian Air Force Sarang Helicopter Display Team
An important objective of the IAF is to support ground troops by providing air cover and by transporting men and essential commodities across the battlefield. For this purpose the Air Force maintains a fleet of helicopters. The HAL Dhruv serves primarily as a light utility helicopter in the IAF. In addition to transport and utility roles, Dhruvs are also used as attack
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helicopters. 4 Dhruvs are also operated by the Indian Air Force Sarang Helicopter Display Team. The HAL Chetak is a light utility helicopter and is used primarily for training, rescue and light transport roles in the IAF. The HAL Chetak is scheduled to be replaced by HAL's Advanced Light Helicopter. The HAL Cheetah is a light utility helicopter used for high altitude operations. It is used for both transport and search-and-rescue missions in the IAF.

The second prototype of Light combat helicopter is undergoing test flights. The Mil Mi-8 and the Mil Mi-17 are operated by the IAF for medium utility roles. The Mi-8 is being progressively replaced by the Mi-17. The IAF has ordered 80 Mi-17V-5s to replace and augment its existing fleet of Mi-8s and Mi-17s, with an order for 59 additional helicopters to follow soon. The Mil Mi-26 serves as a heavy lift helicopter in the IAF. It can also be used to transport troops or as a flying ambulance. The IAF currently operates 4 Mi-26s. The Mil Mi-35 serves primarily as an attack helicopter in the IAF. The Mil Mi-35 can also act as a low-capacity troop transport. The IAF currently operates 2 squadrons (No.104 Firebirds and No.125 Gladiators) of Mi-25/35s.
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Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

The primary role of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) is to provide aerial surveillance and reconnaissance. UAVs can also be used as unmanned combat aircraft or pilotless target aircraft. The IAF currently uses the IAI Searcher II and IAI Heron for reconnaissance and surveillance purposes. The IAI Harpy serves as an Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) which is designed to attack radar systems. The IAF also operates the DRDO Lakshya which serves as realistic towed aerial sub-targets for live fire training.

Surface-to-air missile systems

Akash missile.
The IAF currently operates the S-125 Pechora and the 9K33 Osa as Surface-to-air missile systems. The IAF is also currently inducting the Akash medium range surface-to-air missile system. A total of 8 squadrons has been ordered so far.

Ballistic missiles
The IAF currently operates the Prithvi-II short-range ballistic missile (SRBM). The Prithvi-II is an IAF-specific variant of the Prithvi ballistic missile.
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Anti-ballistic missile systems

The S-300 SAM serves as an Anti-Tactical Ballistic Missile (ATBM) system in the IAF. The S-300 is also able to detect, track, and destroy incoming cruise missiles and low-flying aircraft. The number of aircraft in the IAF has been decreasing from the late 1990s due to retirement of older aircraft and several crashes. To deal with the depletion of force levels, the IAF has started to modernise its fleet. This includes both upgradation of existing aircraft, equipment and infrastructure as well as induction of new aircraft and equipment, both indigenous and imported. As new aircraft enter service and numbers recover, the IAF plans to have a fleet of 42 squadrons.

Upgrades

The air launched version of Brahmos.

The IAF is currently upgrading its 69 MiG-29s (to the SMT standard) and 105 An-32s. IAF's HAL HPT-32 Deepak trainers are to be fitted with a parachute recovery system (PRS) to enhance survivability during an emergency in the air and to bring the trainer down safely. There are also plans to upgrade its 51 Mirage 2000Hs to the Mirage-2000-5 Mk 2 variant and 40 Su-30MKIs with new radars, onboard computers, electronic warfare systems and the capability of carrying the air launched version of the BrahMos cruise missile.

Under procurement
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HAL Tejas
The IAF has placed orders for 48 indigenous HAL Tejas aircraft, 72 HAL HJT-36 Sitara Trainers and 65 HAL Light Combat Helicopters, The IAF has also ordered 10 C-17 Globemaster III strategic airlifters, 6 C-130J Super Hercules modified for special mission roles, under which 1 was inducted recently 139 Mi-17V-5 helicopters. 12 VVIP-configured AgustaWestland AW101 helicopters, and IAI Harop UCAVs. The IAF has also ordered 18 Israeli SPYDER Surface to Air Missiles (SAMs). The IAF is to acquire 126 fighters through the Indian MRCA competition in which the competing aircraft are the Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche-3, Dassault Rafale, Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Lockheed Martin F-16IN Super Viper, Mikoyan MiG-35 and the Saab JAS 39 Gripen NG. Grob G-120TP, Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano, Korean Aerospace Industries KT-1, Finmeccanica M-311, Hawker Beechcraft T-6 Texan and Pilatus PC-7 are competing for a tender to equip the IAF with 181 basic trainer aircraft. The Air Force Chief said on March 11, 2011 that the deal could be signed before July 2011. The IAF is also conducting trials for 22 attack helicopters (for which the competitors are the AH-64D Apache Longbow and Mi-28) and 15 heavy lift helicopters (for which the competitors are the CH-47 Chinook and Mi-26). The IAF has issued a Request for Information (RFI) for 16 C-27J Spartan medium military transport aircraft, The IAF also submitted a request for information to international suppliers for a stealth unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) and the Indian Ministry of Defence (MOD) will float a tender for 125 light helicopters.
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Under development

Model of DRDO AWACS

Indian defence companies such as HAL and DRDO are developing several aircraft for the IAF such as the HAL Tejas, Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), DRDO AEW&CS (revived from the Airavat Project),[173] NAL Saras, HAL HJT-36 Sitara,[175] HAL HTT-40, HAL Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), HAL Light Observation Helicopter (LOH),[177] DRDO Rustom and AURA (Autonomous Unmanned Research Aircraft) UCAV. DRDO has developed the Akash missile system for the IAF and is developing the Maitri SAM with MBDA.[182] DRDO is also developing the Prithvi II ballistic missile. HAL has undertaken the joint development of the FGFA (Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft) (a derivative project of the PAK FA) and the UAC/HAL Il-214 Multirole Transport Aircraft (MTA) with Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC). DRDO has entered in a joint venture with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to develop the Barak II SAM. DRDO is developing the air launched version of the Brahmos cruise missile in a joint venture with Russia's NPO Mashinostroeyenia. DRDO is also developing the nuclear capable Nirbhay cruise missile.

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Indian Army
FOUNDED - 15 Aug 1947 present COUNTRY - INDIA SIZE IS - 1,325,000 Active personnel 2,142,821 Reserve personnel PART OF - Ministry of Defence Indian Armed Forces COLOUR - Gold, Red and Black
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HEADQUATERS - New Delhi, INDIA

This is about the post-independence Indian Army. For the army of British India, see Indian Army (18951947). For the pro-Japanese unit of the Second World War "Indian National Army", see Indian National Army.

INDIAN ARMY
The Indian Army (IA, Devangar: , Bhratya Sthalsn) is the land based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. With about 1,100,000 soldiers in active service[2] and about 960,000 reserve troops, the Indian Army is the world's second-largest standing army. Its primary mission is to ensure the national security and defence of the Republic of India from external aggression and threats, and maintaining peace and security within its borders. It also conducts humanitarian rescue operations during natural calamities and other disturbances. The President of India serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Army. The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), a General, is a four star commander and commands the Army. There is never more than one serving general at any given time in the Army. Two officers have been conferred the rank of Field Marshal, a 5-star rank and the officer serves as the ceremonial chief. The Indian Army came into being when India gained independence in 1947, and inherited most of the infrastructure of the British Indian Army that were located in post-partition India. It is a voluntary service and although a provision for military conscription exists in the Indian constitution, it has never been imposed. Since independence, the Army has been involved in four wars with neighboring Pakistan and one with the People's Republic of China. Other major operations undertaken by the Army include Operation Vijay, Operation Meghdoot and Operation

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Cactus. Apart from conflicts, the Army has also been an active participant in United Nations peacekeeping mission The Indian Army doctrine defines its as "The Indian Army is the land component of the Indian Armed Forces which exist to uphold the ideals of the Constitution of India." As a major component of national power, along with the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force, the roles of the Indian Army are as follows: Primary: Preserve national interests and safeguard sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity of India against any external threats by deterrence or by waging war. Secondary: Assist Government agencies to cope with proxy war and other internal threats and provide aid to civil authority when requisitioned for the purpose."

British Indian Army Further information: List of regiments of the Indian Army (1903)
A Military Department was created in the Supreme Government of the East India Company at Kolkata in the year 1776, having the main function to sift and record orders relating to the Army issued by various Departments of the Government of East India Co. With the Charter Act of 1833, the Secretariat of the Government of East India Company was recognised into four Departments, including a Military Department. The Army in the Presidencies of Bengal, Bombay & Madras functioned as respective Presidency Army till April 1895, when the Presidency Armies were unified into a single Indian Army. For administrative convenience, it was divided into four Commands at that point of time viz. Punjab (including the North West Frontier), Bengal, Madras (including Burma) and Bombay (including Sind, Quetta and Aden). The British Indian Army was a critical force in the primacy of the British Empire in both India, as well as across the world. Besides
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maintaining the internal security of the British Raj, the army fought in theaters around the world - Anglo-Burmese Wars, First and Second Anglo-Sikh Wars, First, Second and Third Anglo-Afghan Wars, Opium Wars in China, Abyssinia, Boxer Rebellion in China. It is no coincidence that the decline of the British Empire started with the Independence of India.

First and Second World Wars

Indian Army personnel during Operation Crusader in Egypt, 1941. Main articles: Indian Army during World War I and Indian Army during World War II In the 20th century, the British Indian Army was a crucial adjunct to the British forces in both the World Wars. 1.3 million Indian soldiers served in World War I (19141918) for the Allies after the United Kingdom made vague promises of selfgovernance to the Indian National Congress for its support. Britain reneged on its promises after the war, following which the Indian Independence movement gained strength. 74,187 Indian troops were killed or missing in action in the war. The "Indianisation" of the British Indian Army began with the formation of the Prince of Wales Royal Indian Military College at Dehradun in March 1912 with the purpose of providing education to the scions of aristocratic and well to do Indian families and to prepare selected Indian
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boys for admission into the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. Indian officers given a King's commission after passing out were posted to one of the eight units selected for Indianisation. Political pressure due to the slow pace of Indianisation, just 69 officers being commissioned between 1918 and 1932, led to the formation of the Indian Military Academy in 1932 and greater numbers of officers of Indian origin being commissioned. In World War II (19391945), 2.58 million Indian soldiers fought for the Allies, again after British promises of independence. Indian troops served in Eritrea, Abyssinia, North Africa, East Africa, Italy, Mesopotamia, Iran, Burma and Malaya, with 87,000 Indian soldiers losing their lives in the war. On the opposing side, an Indian National Army was formed under Japanese control, but had little effect on the war.

Inception
Upon independence and the subsequent Partition of India in 1947, four of the ten Gurkha regiments were transferred to the British Army. The rest of the British Indian Army was divided between the newly created nations of Republic of India and Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The Punjab Boundary Force, which had been formed to help police the Punjab during the partition period, was disbanded, and Headquarters Delhi and East Punjab Command was formed to administer the area.

First Kashmir War (1947) Indo-Pakistani War of 1947

Almost immediately after independence, tensions between India and Pakistan began to boil over, and the first of three full-scale wars between the two nations broke out over the then princely state of Kashmir. Upon the Maharaja of Kashmir's reluctance to accede to either India or Pakistan, 'tribal' invasion of parts of Kashmir. The men included Pakistan army regulars. Soon after, Pakistan sent in more of its
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troops to annex the State. The Maharaja, Hari Singh, appealed to India, and to Lord Mountbatten of Burma, the Governor General, for help. He signed the Instrument of Accession and Kashmir acceded to India (a decision ratified by Britain). Immediately after, Indian troops were airlifted to Srinagar and repelled the invaders. This contingent included General Thimayya who distinguished himself in the operation and in years that followed, became a Chief of the Indian Army. An intense war was waged across the state and former comrades found themselves fighting each other. Both sides made some territorial gains and also suffered significant losses. An uneasy UN sponsored peace returned by the end of 1948 with Indian and Pakistani soldiers facing each other directly on the Line of Control, which has since divided Indian-held Kashmir from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Tensions between India and Pakistan, largely over Kashmir, have never since been entirely eliminated.

Inclusion of Hyderabad (1948) Operation Polo

After the partition of India, the State of Hyderabad, a princely-state under the rule of a Nizam, chose to remain independent. The Nizam, refused to accede his state to the Union of India. The following stand-off between the Government of India and the Nizam ended on 12 September 1948 when India's then deputy-Prime Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel ordered Indian troops to secure the state. With 5 days of low-intensity fighting, the Indian Army, backed by a squadron of Hawker Tempest aircraft of the Indian Air Force, routed the Hyderabad State forces. Five infantry battalions and one armoured squadron of the Indian Army were engaged in the operation. The following day, the State of Hyderabad was proclaimed as a part of the Union of India. Major General Joyanto Nath Chaudhuri, who led the Operation Polo was appointed the Military Governor of Hyderabad (19481949) to restore law and order.

Liberation of Goa, Daman and Diu (1961)

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UPortuguese-Indian War
Even though the British and French vacated all their colonial possessions in the Indian subcontinent, Portugal refused to relinquish control of its Indian colonies of Goa, Daman and Diu. After repeated attempts by India to negotiate with Portugal for the return of its territory were spurned by Portuguese prime minister and dictator, Antonio de Oliveira Salazar, India launched Operation Vijay on 12 December 1961 to evict the Portuguese. A small contingent of its troops entered Goa, Daman and Diu to liberate and secure the territory. After a brief conflict, in which 31 Portuguese soldiers were killed, the Portuguese Navy frigate NRP Afonso de Albuquerque destroyed, and over 3000 Portuguese captured, Portuguese General Manuel Antnio Vassalo e Silva surrendered to the Indian Army, after twenty-six hours and Goa, Daman and Diu joined the Indian Union.

Sino-Indian Conflict (1962) Sino-Indian War

The cause of the war was a dispute over the sovereignty of the widelyseparated Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh border regions. Aksai Chin, claimed by India to belong to Kashmir and by China to be part of Xinjiang, contains an important road link that connects the Chinese regions of Tibet and Xinjiang. China's construction of this road was one of the triggers of the conflict. Small-scale clashes between the Indian and Chinese forces broke out as India insisted on the disputed McMahon Line being regarded as the international border between the two countries. Despite sustaining losses, Chinese troops claim to have not retaliated to the cross-border firing by Indian troops.[10] China's suspicion of India's involvement in Tibet created more rifts between the two countries. In 1962, the Indian Army was ordered to move to the Thag La ridge located near the border between Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh and about three miles (5 km) north of the disputed McMahon Line.
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Meanwhile, Chinese troops too had made incursions into Indian-held territory and tensions between the two reached a new high when Indian forces discovered a road constructed by China in Aksai Chin. After a series of failed negotiations, the People's Liberation Army attacked Indian Army positions at the Thag La ridge. This move by China caught India by surprise and by 12 October, Nehru gave orders for the Chinese to be expelled from Aksai Chin. However, poor coordination among various divisions of the Indian Army and the late decision to mobilize the Indian Air Force in vast numbers gave China a crucial tactical and strategic advantage over India. On 20 October, Chinese soldiers attacked India in both the North-West and North-Eastern parts of the border and captured vast portions of Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh. As the fighting moved beyond disputed territories, China called on the Indian government to negotiate, however India remained determined to regain lost territory. With no peaceful agreement in sight, China unilaterally withdrew its forces from Arunachal Pradesh. The reasons for the withdrawal are disputed with India claiming various logistical problems for China and diplomatic support to it from the United States, while China stated that it still held territory that it had staked diplomatic claim upon. The dividing line between the Indian and Chinese forces was christened the Line of Actual Control. The poor decisions made by India's military commanders, and, indeed, its political leadership, raised several questions. The Henderson-Brooks & Bhagat committee was soon set up by the Government of India to determine the causes of the poor performance of the Indian Army. The report of China even after hostilities began and also criticized the decision to not allow the Indian Air Force to target Chinese transport lines out of fear of Chinese aerial counter-attack on Indian civilian areas. Much of the blame was also targeted at the incompetence of then Defence Minister, Krishna Menon who resigned from his post soon after the war ended. Despite frequent calls for its release, the HendersonBrooks report still remains classified. Neville Maxwell has written an account of the war.
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Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 Indo-Pakistani War of 1965

Tanks of 18th Cavalry of the Indian Army take charge at Pakistani positions during the 1965 war. A second confrontation with Pakistan took place in 1965, largely over Kashmir. Pakistani President Ayub Khan launched Operation Gibraltar in August 1965 during which several Pakistani paramilitary troops infiltrated into Indian-administered Kashmir and attempt to ignite an anti-India agitation in Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistani leaders believed that India, which was still recovering from the disastrous Sino-Indian War, would be unable to deal with a military thrust and a Kashmiri rebellion. However, the operation was a major failure since the Kashmiri people showed little support for such a rebellion and India quickly moved forces to drive the infiltrators out. Within a fortnight of the launch of the Indian counter-attack, most of the infiltrators had retreated back to Pakistan. Battered by the failure of Operation Gibraltar and expecting a major invasion by Indian forces across the border, Pakistan launched Operation Grand Slam on 1 September, invading India's Chamb-Jaurian sector. In retaliation, the India's Army launched major offensive throughout its border with Pakistan, with Lahore as its prime target. Though the Indian Army's break through of the final phases of Pakistani defence was considerably delayed due to logistical issues, the conflict was largely seen as a debacle for the Pakistani Army. Initially, the Indian Army met with considerable success in the northern sector. After launching prolonged artillery barrages against Pakistan, India was able to capture three important mountain positions in Kashmir. By 9 September, the Indian Army had made considerable inroads into Pakistan. India had its largest haul of Pakistani tanks when
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the offensive of Pakistan's 1 Armoured Division was blunted at the Battle of Asal Uttar which took place on 10 September near Khemkaran. Six Pakistani Armoured Regiments took part in the battle against three Indian Armoured Regiments with inferior tanks. By the time the battle had ended, the 4th Indian Division had captured about 97 Pakistani tanks in either destroyed, or damaged, or in intact condition. This included 72 Patton tanks and 25 Chafees and Shermans. 32 of the 97 tanks, including 28 Pattons, were in running condition. In comparison, the Indians lost only 32 tanks at Khemkaran-Bhikkiwind. About fifteen of them were captured by the Pakistan Army, mostly Sherman tanks. Pakistan's overwhelming defeat at the decisive battle of Assal Uttar hastened the end of the conflict. At the time of ceasefire declaration, India reported casualties of about 3,000 were killed. On the other hand, it was estimated that about 3,800 Pakistani soldiers were killed in the battle, 9,000 were wounded and about 2,000 were taken as prisoners of war. About 300 Pakistani tanks were either destroyed or captured by India and an additional 150 were permanently put out of service. India lost a total of 190 tanks during the conflict and about 100 more had to undergo repair. In all, India lost about half as many tanks as Pakistan lost during the war. Given India's advantageous position at the end of the war, the decision to return back to pre-war positions, following the Tashkent Declaration, caused an outcry among the polity in New Delhi. It was widely believed that India's decision to accept the ceasefire was due to political factors, and not military, since it was facing considerable pressure from the United States and the UN to stop hostilities.

Indo-Pakistani War of 1971

Battle of Longewala, Battle of Hilli, and Battle of Basantar

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An independence movement broke out in East Pakistan which was brutally crushed by Pakistani forces. Due to large-scale atrocities against them, thousands of Bengalis took refuge in neighboring India causing a major refugee crisis there. In early 1971, India declared its full-support for the Bengali rebels, known as Mukti Bahini, and Indian agents were extensively involved in covert operations to aid them. On 20 November 1971, Indian Army moved the 14 Punjab Battalion and 45 Cavalry into Garibpur, a strategically important town near India's border with East Pakistan, and successfully captured it. The following day, more clashes took place between Indian and Pakistani forces. Wary of India's growing involvement in the Bengali rebellion, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) launched a pre-emptive strike on 10 Indian air bases at Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Agra, Adampur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Uttarlai and Sirsa at 1745 hours on 3 December. This aerial offensive, however, failed to accomplish its stated objectives and gave India its excuse to declare a full-scale war against Pakistan the same day. By midnight, the Indian Army, accompanied by Indian Air Force, launched a major three-pronged assault into East Pakistan. The Indian Army won several battles on the eastern front including the decisive of battle of Hilli, which was the only front where the Pakistani Army was able to buildup considerable resistance. The operation also included a battalion-level airborne operation on Tangail which resulted in the capitulation of all resistance within five days. India's massive early gains was largely attributed to the speed and flexibility with which Indian armored divisions moved across East Pakistan. Indian Army personnel celebrate victory at the end Battle of Basantar on top of a knocked out Pakistani Patton tank. Pakistan launched a counter-attack against India on the western front. On 4 December 1971, the A company of the 23rd Battalion of India's Punjab Regiment detected and intercepted the movement of the 51st Infantry Brigade of the Pakistani Army near Ramgarh, Rajasthan. The battle of Longewala ensued during which the A company, though being outnumbered, thwarted the Pakistani advance until the Indian Air Force
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directed its fighters to engage the Pakistani tanks. By the time the battle had ended, 34 Pakistani tanks and 50 armored vehicles were either destroyed or abandoned. About 200 Pakistani troops were killed in action during the battle while only 2 Indian soldiers lost their lives. Pakistan suffered another major defeat on the western front during the battle of Basantar which was fought from 4 December to 16th. By the end of the battle, about 66 Pakistani tanks were destroyed and 40 more were captured. In return, Pakistani forces were able to destroy only 11 Indian tanks. None of the numerous Pakistani offensives on the Western front materialized. By 16 December, Pakistan had lost sizable territory on both eastern and western fronts. Under the command of Lt. General J.S Arora, the three corps of the Indian Army, which had invaded East Pakistan, entered Dhaka and forced Pakistani forces to surrender on 16 December 1971, one day after the conclusion of the battle of Basantar. After Pakistan's Lt. General A.A.K. Niazi signed the Instrument of Surrender, India took more than 90,000 Pakistani prisoners of war. At the time of the signing of the Instrument of Surrender, 9,000 Pakistani soldiers were killed-in-action while India suffered only 2,500 battle-related deaths. In addition, Pakistan lost 200 tanks during the battle compared to India's 80. In 1972, the Simla Agreement was signed between the two countries and tensions simmered. However, there were occasional spurts in diplomatic tensions which culminated into increased military vigilance on both sides.

Siachen conflict (1984) Siachen conflict

The Siachen Glacier, though a part of the Kashmir region, was not officially demarcated on maps prepared and exchanged between the two sides in 1947. As a consequence, prior to the 1980s, neither India nor Pakistan maintained any permanent military presence in the region. However, Pakistan began conducting and allowing a series of mountaineering expeditions to the glacier beginning in the 1950s. By
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early 1980s, the government of Pakistan was granting special expedition permits to mountaineers and United States Army maps deliberately showed Siachen as a part of Pakistan. This practice gave rise to the contemporary meaning of the term oropolitics. India, possibly irked by these developments, launched Operation Meghdoot in April 1984. The entire Kumaon Regiment of the Indian Army was airlifted to the glacier. Pakistani forces responded quickly and clashes between the two followed. Indian Army secured the strategic Sia La and Bilafond La mountain passes and by 1985, more than 1,000 square miles (2,600 km2) of territory, 'claimed' by Pakistan, was under Indian control. The Indian Army continues to control all of the Siachen Glacier and its tributary glaciers. Pakistan made several unsuccessful attempts to regain control over Siachen. In late 1987, Pakistan mobilized about 8,000 troops and garrisoned them near Khapalu, aiming to capture Bilafond La. However, they were repulsed by Indian Army personnel guarding Bilafond. During the battle, about 23 Indian soldiers lost their lives while more than 150 Pakistani troops perished. Further unsuccessful attempts to reclaim positions were launched by Pakistan in 1990, 1995, 1996 and 1999, most notably in Kargil that year. India continues to maintain a strong military presence in the region despite extremely inhospitable conditions. The conflict over Siachen is regularly cited as an example of mountain warfare. The highest peak in the Siachen glacier region, Saltoro Kangri, could be viewed as strategically important for India because of its immense altitude which could enable the Indian forces to monitor some Pakistani or Chinese movements in the immediate area. Maintaining control over Siachen poses several logistical challenges for the Indian Army. Several infrastructure projects were constructed in the region, including a helipad 21,000 feet (6,400 m) above the sea level. In 2004, Indian Army was spending an estimated US$2 million a day to support its personnel stationed in the region.

Counter-insurgency activities
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The Indian Army has played a crucial role in the past, fighting insurgents and terrorists within the nation. The army launched Operation Bluestar and Operation Woodrose in the 1980s to combat Sikh insurgents. The army, along with some paramilitary forces, has the prime responsibility of maintaining law and order in the troubled Jammu and Kashmir region. The Indian Army also sent a contingent to Sri Lanka in 1987 as a part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force.

Kargil conflict (1999) Kargil War

Map describing Kargil war.

In 1998, India carried out nuclear tests and a few days later, Pakistan responded by more nuclear tests giving both countries nuclear deterrence[disambiguation needed] capability. Diplomatic tensions eased after the Lahore Summit was held in 1999. The sense of optimism was shortlived, however, since in mid-1999 Pakistani paramilitary forces and Kashmiri insurgents captured deserted, but strategic, Himalayan heights in the Kargil district of India. These had been vacated by the Indian army during the onset of the inhospitable winter and were supposed to reoccupied in spring. The regular Pakistani troops who took control of these areas received important support, both in the form of arms and supplies, from Pakistan. Some of the heights under their control, which also included the Tiger Hill, overlooked the vital Srinagar-Leh Highway (NH 1A), Batalik and Dras. Once the scale of the Pakistani incursion was realized, the Indian Army quickly mobilized about 200,000 troops and Operation Vijay was launched. However, since the heights were under Pakistani control, India was in a clear strategic disadvantage. From their observation posts, the Pakistani forces had a clear line-of-sight to lay down indirect
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artillery fire on NH 1A, inflicting heavy casualties on the Indians. This was a serious problem for the Indian Army as the highway was its main logistical and supply route. Thus, the Indian Army's first priority was to recapture peaks that were in the immediate vicinity of NH1a. This resulted in Indian troops first targeting the Tiger Hill and Tololing complex in Dras. This was soon followed by more attacks on the Batalik-Turtok sub-sector which provided access to Siachen Glacier. Point 4590, which had the nearest view of the NH1a, was successfully recaptured by Indian forces on 14 June. Though most of the posts in the vicinity of the highway were cleared by mid-June, some parts of the highway near Drass witnessed sporadic shelling until the end of the war. Once NH1a area was cleared, the Indian Army turned to driving the invading force back across the Line of Control. The Battle of Tololing, among other assaults, slowly tilted the combat in India's favor. Nevertheless, some of the posts put up a stiff resistance, including Tiger Hill (Point 5140) that fell only later in the war. As the operation was fully underway, about 250 artillery guns were brought in to clear the infiltrators in the posts that were in the lineof-sight. In many vital points, neither artillery nor air power could dislodge the outposts manned by the Pakistan soldiers, who were out of visible range. The Indian Army mounted some direct frontal ground assaults which were slow and took a heavy toll given the steep ascent that had to be made on peaks as high as 18,000 feet (5,500 m). Two months into the conflict, Indian troops had slowly retaken most of the ridges they had lost; according to official count, an estimated 75%80% of the intruded area and nearly all high ground was back under Indian control. Following the Washington accord on 4 July, where Sharif agreed to withdraw Pakistani troops, most of the fighting came to a gradual halt, but some Pakistani forces remained in positions on the Indian side of the LOC. In addition, the United Jihad Council (an umbrella for all extremist groups) rejected Pakistan's plan for a climb-down, instead deciding to fight on. The Indian Army launched its final attacks in the
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last week of July; as soon as the Drass subsector had been cleared of Pakistani forces, the fighting ceased on 26 July. The day has since been marked as Kargil Vijay Diwas (Kargil Victory Day) in India. By the end of the war, India had resumed control of all territory south and east of the Line of Control, as was established in July 1972 per the Shimla Accord. By the time all hostilities had ended, the number of Indian soldiers killed during the conflict stood at 527. while more than 700 regular members of the Pakistani army were killed. The number of Islamist fighters, also known as Mujahideen, killed by Indian Armed Forces during the conflict stood at about 3,000.

United Nations Peacekeeping Missions

Indian Army soldiers arrive in Korea in September 1953 for peacekeeping along the neutral buffer zone The Indian Army has undertaken numerous UN peacekeeping missions:
[43]

Angola, UNAVEM I, 19881991 Angola, UNAVEM II, 19911995 Angola, UNAVEM III, 19951997 Angola, MONUA, 19971999 Bosnia & Herzegovina, UNMIBH, 19952002 Cambodia, UNAMIC, 19911992 Cambodia, UNTAC, 19921993 Central America, ONUCA, 19891992 Congo, ONUC, 19601964 El Salvador, ONUSAL, 19911995 Ethiopia & Eritrea, UNMEE, 20002008
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Indian Army's T-72 with UN markings at the Belgian compound in Kismayo, Somalia, in support of Operation Continue Hope as a part of UNOSOM. Haiti, UNMIH, 19931996 Haiti, UNSMIH, 19961997 Haiti, UNTMIH, 1997 Haiti, MIPONUH, 19972000 Iran & Iraq, UNIIMOG, 19881991 Iraq & Kuwait, UNIKOM, 19912003 Israel, UNDOF Liberia, UNOMIL, 19931997 Lebanon, UNOGL, UNIFIL, 1958 Middle East, UNEF I, 19561967 Mozambique, ONUMOZ, 19921994 Namibia, UNTAG, 19891990 Rwanda, UNAMIR, 19931996 Sierra Leone, UNOMSIL, 19981999 Sierra Leone, UNAMSIL, 19992005 Somalia, UNOSOM, 19931995 Yemen, UNYOM, 19631964 The Indian army also provided paramedical units to facilitate the withdrawal of the sick and wounded in the Korean War.

Major exercises

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Indian Army T-90 tanks take part during an exercise in the Thar Desert.

Operation Brasstacks
Operation Brasstacks was launched by the Indian Army in November 1986 to simulate a full-scale war on the western border. The exercise was the largest ever conducted in India and comprised nine infantry, three mechanised, three armoured and one air assault division, and included three armoured brigades. Amphibious assault exercises were also conducted with the Indian Navy. Brasstacks also allegedly incorporated nuclear attack drills. It led to tensions with Pakistan and a subsequent rapprochement in mid-1987.

Operation Parakram 2001-2002 India-Pakistan standoff

After the 13 December 2001 attack on the Indian Parliament, Operation Parakram was launched in which tens of thousands of Indian troops were deployed along the Indo-Pakistan border. India blamed Pakistan for backing the attack. The operation was the largest military exercise carried out by any Asian country. Its prime objective is still unclear but appears to have been to prepare the army for any future nuclear conflict with Pakistan, which seemed increasingly possible after the December attack on the Indian parliament.

Operation Sanghe Shakti

It has since been stated that the main goal of this exercise was to validate mobilisation strategies of the Ambala-based II Strike Corps. Air support was a part of this exercise, and an entire battalion of paratroops was paradropped during the conduct of the war games, with allied equipment. Some 20,000 soldiers took part in the exercise.

Exercise Ashwamedha
Indian Army tested its network centric warfare capabilities in the exercise Ashwamedha. The exercise was held in the Thar desert, in
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which over 300,000 troops participated. Asymmetric warfare capability was also tested by the Indian Army during the exercise.

Indian Army Structure

Initially, the army's main objective was to defend the nation's frontiers. However, over the years, the army has also taken up the responsibility of providing internal security, especially in insurgent-hit Kashmir and north-east. The army has a strength of about a million troops and fields 34 divisions. Its headquarters is located in the Indian capital New Delhi and it is under the overall command of the

Commands
The army operates 6 tactical commands . 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. These commands are given below in their correct order of raising, location (city) and their commanders. There is also one training command known as ARTRAC. The staff in each Command HQ is headed by Chief Of Staff (COS) who is also an Corps . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.

(July 2010)
A corps is an army field formation responsible for a zone within a command theatre. There are three types of corps in the Indian Army: Strike, Holding and Mixed. A command generally consists of two or more corps. A corps has Army divisions under its command. The Corps HQ is the highest field formation in the army.
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The Arjun MBT is entering service with 140 Armoured Brigade in Jaisalmer. Headquarters, Indian Army, New Delhi 50th Independent Parachute Brigade headquartered at Agra Central Command, headquartered at Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh I Corps Currently assigned to South Western Command Eastern Command, headquartered at Kolkata, West Bengal III Corps, headquartered at Dimapur, Nagaland 23rd Infantry Division headquartered at Ranchi 57th Mountain Division headquartered at Leimakhong IV Corps, headquartered at Tezpur, Assam
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XXI Corps, headquartered at Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh 31st Armoured Division headquartered at Jhansi 36th RAPID Sagar 54th Infantry Division (India) headquartered at Hyderabad/Secunder abad ?th Artillery brigade ?th Air defence brigade 475th Engineering Brigade South Western Command, headquartered at Jaipur, Rajasthan I Corps, headquartered at Mathura, Uttar Pradesh 4th Infantry Division headquartered at Allahabad

2nd Mountain Division headquartered at Dibrugarh 5th Mountain Division headquartered at Bomdila 21st Mountain Division headquartered at Rangia XXXIII Corps, headquartered at Siliguri, West Bengal 17th Mountain Division headquartered at Gangtok 20th Mountain Division headquartered at Binnaguri 27th Mountain Division headquartered at Kalimpong ?th Artillery brigade Northern Command, headquartered at Udhampur,
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6th Mountain Division headquartered at Bareilly 33rd Armoured Division headquartered at Hisar 40th Artillery Division headquartered at Ambala Cantonment[48] ?th Engineering Brigade X Corps, headquartered at Bhatinda, Punjab 16th Infantry Division headquartered at Sri Ganganagar 18th RAPID at Kota 24th RAPID at Bikaner 6th Independent Armoured Brigade 615th Independent Air Defence Brigade 471st Engineering Brigade Western Command,

Jammu and Kashmir XIV Corps, headquartered at Leh, Jammu and Kashmir 3rd Infantry Division headquartered at Leh 8th Mountain Division headquartered at Dras ?th Artillery brigade XV Corps, headquartered at Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir 19th Infantry Division headquartered at Baramulla, 28th Infantry Division headquartered at Gurez ?th Artillery brigade XVI Corps, headquartered at Nagrota, Jammu and
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headquartered at Chandimandir II Corps, headquartered at Ambala, Haryana 1st Armoured Division headquartered at Patiala 14th RAPID at Dehradun 22nd Infantry Division headquartered at Meerut 474th Engineering Brigade 612th Mechanised Independent Air Defence Brigade IX Corps, headquartered at Yol, Himachal Pradesh 26th Infantry Division headquartered at Jammu 29th Infantry Division headquartered at Pathankot 2nd Independent Armoured Brigade 3rd Independent

Kashmir 10th Infantry Division headquartered at Akhnoor 25th Infantry Division headquartered at Rajauri 39th Infantry Division headquartered at Yol ?th Artillery brigade ?th Armoured brigade Southern Command, headquartered at Pune, Maharashtra 41st Artillery Division, headquartered at Pune, Maharashtra XII Corps, headquartered at Jodhpur, Rajasthan 4th Armoured Brigade 340th Mechanised Brigade
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Armoured Brigade 16th Independent Armoured Brigade XI Corps, headquartered at Jalandhar, Punjab 7th Infantry Division headquartered at Firozpur 9th Infantry Division headquartered at Meerut 15th Infantry Division headquartered at Amritsar 23rd Armoured Brigade 55th Mechanised Brigade Training Command, headquartered at Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

11th Infantry Division headquartered at Ahmedabad 12th Infantry Division headquartered at Jodhpur

Regimental organisation In addition to this (not to be confused with the Field Corps mentioned above) are the Regiments or Corps or departments of the Indian Army. The corps mentioned below are the functional divisions entrusted with specific pan-Army tasks.

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Arms 1. Indian Infantry Regiments 2. Armoured Corps Regiments - The Armoured Corps Centre and School is at Ahmednagar. 3. Regiment of Artillery - The School of Artillery is at Devlali near Nasik. 4. Corps of Signals 5. Corps of Engineers - The College of Military Engineering is at Dapodi, Pune. The Centers are located as follows - Madras Engineer Group at Bangalore, Bengal Engineer Group at Roorkee and Bombay Engineer Group at Khadki, Pune. 6. Corps of Army Air Defence-Center at Gopalpur in Orissa State. 7. Mechanised Infantry - Regimental Center at Ahmednagar. 8. Army Aviation Corps(India) The Indian Territorial Army has units from a number of corps which serve as a part-time reserve. Services 1. Army Dental Corps 2. Army Education Corps - Center at Pachmarhi. 3. Army Medical Corps - Center at Lucknow. 4. Army Ordnance Corps - Centers at Jabalpur and Secunderabad (HQ). 5. Army Postal Service Corps - Centre at Kamptee near Nagpur. 6. Army Service Corps - Center at Bangalore 7. Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers- Centers at Bhopal and Secunderabad. 8. Corps of Military Police Indian Corps of Military Police - Center at Bangalore 9. Intelligence Corps - Center at Pune.
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Other field formations

A section of the Indian Army soldier reconnaissance mission training exercise.

during

Division: An Army Division is an intermediate between a Corps and a Brigade. It is the largest striking force in the army. Each Division is headed by [General Officer Commanding] (GOC) in the rank of Major General. It usually consists of 15,000 combat troops and 8,000 support elements. Currently, the Indian Army has 37 Divisions including 4 RAPID (Re-organised Army Plains Infantry Divisions) Action Divisions, 18 Infantry Divisions, 10 Mountain Divisions, 3 Armoured Divisions and 2 Artillery Divisions. Each Division composes of several Brigades. Brigade: A Brigade generally consists of around 3,000 combat troops with supporting elements. An Infantry Brigade usually has 3 Infantry Battalions along with various Support Arms & Services. It is headed by a Brigadier, equivalent to a Brigadier General in some armies. In addition to the Brigades in various Army Divisions, the Indian Army also has 5 Independent Armoured Brigades, 15 Independent Artillery Brigades, 7 Independent Infantry Brigades, 1 Independent Parachute Brigade,3 Independent Air Defence Brigades, 2 Independent Air Defence Groups and 4 Independent Engineer Brigades. These Independent Brigades operate directly under the Corps Commander (GOC Corps). Battalion: A Battalion is commanded by a Colonel and is the Infantry's main fighting unit. It consists of more than 900 combat personnel. Company: Headed by the Major, a Company comprises 120 soldiers.
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Platoon: An intermediate between a Company and Section, a Platoon is headed by a Lieutenant or depending on the availability of Commissioned Officers, a Junior Commissioned Officer, with the rank of Subedar or Naib-Subedar. It has a total strength of about 32 troops. Section: Smallest military outfit with a strength of 10 personnel. Commanded by a Non-commissioned officer of the rank of Havildar Major or Sergeant Major.

Regiments List of regiments of the Indian Army Soldiers of the Raj put Regiment.

Soldiers of the Sikh Light Infantry.

Soldiers of the Madras Regiment.

Soldiers of the Assam Regiment.

Infantry regiments
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There are several battalions or units associated together in an infantry regiment. The infantry regiment in the Indian Army is a military organisation and not a field formation. All the battalions of a regiment do not fight together as one formation, but are dispersed over various formations, viz. brigades, divisions and corps. An infantry battalions serves for a period of time under a formation and then moves to another, usually in another sector or terrain when its tenure is over. Occasionally, battalions of the same regiment may serve together for a tenure. Most of the infantry regiments of the Indian Army originate from the old British Indian Army and recruit troops from a region or of specific ethnicities.

The list of infantry regiments of the Indian Army are:

Brigade of the Guards The Parachute Regiment Mechanised Infantry Regiment Punjab Regiment Madras Regiment The Grenadiers Maratha Light Infantry Rajputana Rifles Rajput Regiment Jat Regiment Sikh Regiment Sikh Light Infantry Dogra Regiment Garhwal Rifles Kumaon Regiment Assam Regiment
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Bihar Regiment Mahar Regiment Jammu & Kashmir Rifles Jammu & Kashmir Light Infantry Naga Regiment 1 Gorkha Rifles (The Malaun Regiment) 3 Gorkha Rifles 4 Gorkha Rifles 5 Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force) 8 Gorkha Rifles 9 Gorkha Rifles 11 Gorkha Rifles Ladakh Scouts Arunachal Scouts (Planned) Sikkim Scouts

Artillery regiments

Artillery Insignia
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 in India, in the Battle of Panipat in 1526. However evidence of earlier use of gun by Bahmani Kings in the Battle of Adoni in 1368 and King Mohammed Shah of Gujrat in fifteenth century have been recorded. Indian artillery units were disbanded after the 1857 rebellion and reformed only during the Second World War.
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Armoured regiments
There are 97 armoured regiments in the Indian Army. These include the following historic regiments dating back to the nineteenth century or earlier: 1st Skinner's Horse, the 2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse), 3rd Cavalry, 4th Hodson's Horse, 7th Light Cavalry, 8th Light Cavalry, 9th Deccan Horse, 14th Scinde Horse, 17th Poona Horse, 15th Lancers, 16th Light Cavalry, 18th Cavalry, 20th Lancers, and the Central India Horse. A substantial number of additional units The mounted President's Bodyguard during a state visit by a foreign dignitary. Indian Army statistics Active Troops Reserve Troops 1,100,000 960,000

Indian Territorial Army 787,000** Main battle tanks Artillery Ballistic missiles Ballistic missiles Cruise missiles Aircraft 5,000 3,200 ~100 (Agni-I, Agni-II, Agni-III) ~1,000 Prithvi missile series ~1,000 BrahMos ~1,500

Surface-to-air missiles 100,000 ** includes 387,000 1st line troops and 400,000 2nd line troops Statistics

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Soldiers from the 4th Rajput Infantry Battalion of the Indian Army handling INSAS rifles during a training mission. 4 RAPID (Reorganised Army Plains Infantry Divisions) 18 Infantry Divisions 10 Mountain Divisions 3 Armoured Divisions 2 Artillery Divisions 3 Air Defence Brigades + 2 Surface-to-Air Missile Groups 5 Independent Armoured Brigades 15 Independent Artillery Brigades 7 Independent Infantry Brigades 1 Parachute Brigade 4 Engineer Brigades 41 Army Aviation Helicopter Units Sub-units 93 Tank Regiments (??) 03 Airborne Battalions 50 Artillery Regiments 07 Para (SF) Battalions 32 Mechanised Infantry Battalions 23 Combat Helicopter Units 50 Air Defence Regiments

Rank structure

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The 1st Battalion of 1 Gorkha Rifles of the Indian Army take position outside a simulated combat town during a training exercise.

Army ranks and insignia of India

The various rank of the Indian Army are listed below in descending order:

Commissioned Officers

Field Marshal1 General (the rank held by Chief of Army Staff) Lieutenant-General Major-General Brigadier Colonel Lieutenant-Colonel Major Captain Lieutenant

Junior Commissioned honorary)

Officers

(JCOs)

(Active

and

Subedar Major/Honorary Captain3 Subedar/Honorary Lieutenant3 Subedar Major/Risaldar Major Subedar/Risaldar Naib Subedar/Naib Risaldar

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Soldiers of the Indian Army's Assam Regiment stand guard near the India Gate war memorial in Delhi.

Non Commissioned Officers (NCOs)

Regimental Havildar Major/Regimental Daffadar Major Regimental Quartermaster HavildarRegimental Quartermaster Daffadar Company Havildar Major/Squadron Daffadar Major Company Quartermaster Havildar/Squadron Quartermaster Daffadar Havildar/Daffadar Naik/Lance Daffadar Lance Naik/Acting Lance Daffadar Sepoy (infantry and other arms)/Sowar(Indian Army Armoured Corps) Notes: 1. Only two officers have been made Field Marshall so far: Field Marshal K M Cariappathe first Indian Commander-in-Chief (a post since abolished)and Field Marshal S H F J Manekshaw, the Chief of Army Staff during the Army in the 1971 war with Pakistan. 2. This has now been discontinued. Non-Commissioned Officers in the rank of Havildar are elible for Honorary JCO ranks. 3. Given to Outstanding JCO's Rank and pay of a Lieutenant, role continues to be of a JCO.

Combat doctrine
The current combat doctrine of the Indian Army is based on effectively utilizing holding formations and strike formations. In the case of an attack, the holding formations would contain the enemy and strike
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formations would counter-attack to neutralize enemy forces. In the case of an Indian attack, the holding formations would pin enemy forces down whilst the strike formations attack at a point of Indian choosing. The Indian Army is large enough to devote several corps to the strike role. Currently, the army is also looking at enhancing its special forces capabilities. With the role of India increasing and the requirement for protection of India's interest in far off shores become important, the Indian Army and Indian Navy are jointly planning to set up a marine brigade.

Equipment Equipment of the Indian Army

Arjun MBT

Agni-II ballistic missile

Most of the army equipment is imported, but efforts are being made to manufacture indigenous equipment. The Defence Research and Development Organisation has developed a range of weapons for the Indian Army ranging from small arms, artillery, radars and the Arjun tank. All Indian Military small-arms are manufactured under the umbrella administration of the Ordnance Factory Board, with principal Firearm manufacturing facilities in Ichhapore, Cossipore, Kanpur, Jabalpur and Tiruchirapalli. The Indian National Small Arms System (INSAS) rifle, which is successfully inducted by Indian Army since 1997 is a product of the Ishapore Rifle Factory, while ammunition is manufactured at Khadki and possibly at Bolangir.
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Aircraft
This is a list of aircraft of the Indian Army. For the list of aircraft of the Indian Air Force, see List of aircraft of the Indian Air Force. The Indian Army operates more than 200 helicopters, plus additional unmanned aerial vehicles. The Army Aviation Corps is the main body of the Indian Army for tactical air transport, reconnaissance, and medical evacuation. The Army Aviation operates closely with the Indian Air Force. Aircraft Origin Type utility helicopter Versions HAL Dhruv In Notes service 40+

HAL Dhruv

India

Arospatiale utility SA 316 France helicopter Alouette III

to be replaced SA 316B by new LUH, 100+ Chetak competition to start soon. to be replaced by new LUH, competition to start soon. 12 on order

Arospatiale utility France SA 315 Lama helicopter

SA 315B 50+ Cheetah

DRDO Nishant

India

reconnaissance UAV

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IAI II

Searcher

Israel

reconnaissance UAV reconnaissance UAV

21

IAI Heron II

Israel

31

The Indian army had projected a requirement for a helicopter that can carry loads of up to 75 kg heights of 23,000 feet (7,000 m) on the Siachen Glacier in Jammu and Kashmir. Flying at these heights poses unique challenges due to the rarefied atmosphere. The Indian Army chose the Eurocopter AS 550 for a $550 million contract for 197 light helicopters to replace its ageing fleet of Chetaks and Cheetahs, some of which were inducted more than three decades ago. The deal has however been scrapped amidst allegations of corruption during the bidding process.

Uniforms
The Indian Army camouflage consists of shirts, trousers and cap of a synthetic material. Shirts are buttoned up with two chest pockets with buttoned up flaps. Trousers have two pockets, two thigh box pockets and a back pocket. The Indian Army Jungle camouflage dress features a jungle camouflage pattern and is designed for use in woodland environments. The Indian Army Desert camouflage, which features a desert camouflage pattern, is used by artillery and infantry (what about the rest of the army?) posted in dusty, semi-desert and desert areas of Rajasthan and its vicinity. The forces of the East India Company in India were forced by casualties to dye their white summer tunics to neutral tones, initially a tan called khaki (from the Hindi-Urdu word for "dusty"). This was a temporary measure which became standard in Indian service in the 1880s. Only during the Second Boer War in 1902, did the entire British Army standardise on dun for Service Dress. Indian Army uniform standardizes on dun for khaki.
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The modern Indian Army wears distinctive parade uniforms characterised by varigated turbans and waist-sashes in regimental colours. The Gurkha and Garwhal Rifles and the Assam, Kumaon and the Naga Regiments wear broad brimmed hats of traditional style. Traditionally, all Rifle regiments and the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, Garhwal Rifles, Gurkha Rifles, and Rajputana Rifles) wear rank badges, buttons and blackened wire embroidered articles of uniform in black instead of the usual Brass (or gold) coloured as the original role of the rifle regiments was camouflage and concealment.

Recipients of the Param Vir Chakra

Listed below are the most notable people to have received the Param Vir Chakra, the highest military decoration of the Indian Army. 4th Battalion, 3 Major Somnath Battle of Badgam, Kumaon November Sharma Kashmir, India Regiment 1947 2 Lieutenant Rama Corps Raghoba Rane Engineers Naik Jadu Singh of 8 April Battle of Naushera, 1948 Kashmir, India Battle of Naushera, Kashmir, India Kashmir, Kashmir,

Nath 1st Battalion, February Rajput Regiment 1948

Company Havildar 6th Battalion, 17/18 July Tithwal, Major Piru Singh Rajputana Rifles 1948 India Lance Naik Karam 1st Battalion, 13 October Tithwal, Singh Sikh Regiment 1948 India

Captain Gurbachan 3rd Battalion, 1st 5 December Elizabethville, Singh Salaria Gorkha Rifles 1961 Katanga, Congo (The Malaun
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Regiment) Major Dhan Singh 1st Battalion, 8th 20 October Ladakh, India Thapa Gorkha Rifles 1962 Subedar Singh Major Singh Joginder 1st Battalion, 23 October Tongpen La, Northeast Sikh Regiment 1962 Frontier Agency, India Shaitan 13th Battalion, 18 Kumaon November Rezang La Regiment 1962

Company Quarter 10 4th Battalion, Chima, Khem Karan Master Havildar September The Grenadiers Sector Abdul Hamid 1965 Lt Col Ardeshir 17th Burzorji Tarapore Horse Poona 15 October Phillora, Sialkot 1965 Sector, Pakistan

14th Battalion, Lance Naik Albert 3 December Brigade of the Gangasagar Ekka 1971 Guards 2/Lieutenant Arun 17th Khetarpal Horse Major Singh Poona 16 Jarpal, December Sector 1971 Shakargarh

17 Hoshiar 3rd Battalion, Basantar River, December The Grenadiers Shakargarh Sector 1971 June Siachen Glacier, Jammu and Kashmir

Naib Subedar Bana 8th Battalion, 23 Singh Jammu and 1987 Kashmir Light
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Infantry 25 Major Ramaswamy 8th Battalion, November Sri Lanka Parmeshwaran Mahar Regiment 1987 Captain Batra Vikram 13th Battalion, Point 5140, Point Jammu and 6 July 1999 4875, Kargil Area Kashmir Rifles

Khaluber/Juber Top, 1st Battalion, Lieutenant Manoj Batalik sector, Kargil 11th Gorkha 3 July 1999 Kumar Pandey area, Jammu and Rifles Kashmir Grenadier Yogendra Yadav Rifleman Kumar Singh 18th Battalion, 4 July 1999 Tiger Hill, Kargil area The Grenadiers 13th Battalion, Area Flat Top, Kargil Jammu and 5 July 1999 Area Kashmir Rifles

Sanjay

[edit] Future developments

The TATA Group's contribution to F-INSAS.

Futuristic Infantry Soldier As a System (F-INSAS) is the Indian Army's principal modernization program from 2012 to 2020. In the first phase, to be completed by 2012, the infantry soldiers will be equipped with modular weapon systems that will have multi68

functions. The Indian Army intends to modernize all of its 465 infantry and paramilitary battalions by 2020 with this program. India is currently reorganising its mechanised forces to achieve strategic mobility and high-volume firepower for rapid thrusts into enemy territory. India proposes to progressively induct as many as 248 Arjun MBT and develop and induct the Arjun MKII variant, 1,657 Russian-origin T-90S main-battle tanks (MBTs), apart from the ongoing upgrade of its T-72 fleet. The Army recently placed an order for 4,100 French-origin Milan-2T anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs). Defence ministry sources said the Rs 592-crore (approximately US$120 million) order was cleared after the 2008 Mumbai attacks, with the government finally fast-tracking several military procurement plans. The Army gained the Cabinet Committee on Security's approval to raise two new infantry mountain divisions (with around 15,000 combat soldiers each), and an artillery brigade in 2008. These divisions were likely to be armed with ultralight howitzers. In July 2009, it was reported that the Army was advocating a new artillery division, said defence ministry sources. The proposed artillery division, under the Kolkata-based Eastern Command, was to have three brigadestwo of 155mm howitzers and one of the Russian "Smerch" and indigenous "Pinaka" multiple-launch rocket systems. The Indian Army plans to develop and induct a 155mm indigenous artillery gun within the next three and a half years. HAL has obtained a firm order to deliver 114 HAL Light Combat Helicopters to the Indian Army.

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Indian navy
May the lord of the oceans be auspicious unto us.
FOUNDED - 1940 Present. COUNTRY - INDIA. SIZE IS - 56,000 Personnel. 55 Major Surface. Combatants. 14 Submarine. 250 Aircraft PART OF - Ministry of defence. Indian Armed Forces. COLOUR - Navy blue, white.

HEADQUATERS - New Delhi.

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INDIAN NAVY
The Indian Navy (Devangar: , Bhratya Nau Sen) is the naval branch of the armed forces of India. It currently has approximately 56,000 personnel on active duty, including 5,000 members of the naval aviation branch, 1,200 marine commandos and 1,000 Sagar Prahari Bal soldiers, making it the world's fifth largest navy in terms of personnel. The Indian Navy currently operates around 170 vessels, including the aircraft carrier INS Viraat, along with operational jet fighters. Though the primary objective of the navy is to secure national maritime borders, India also uses its navy to enhance its international relations through joint exercises, port visits and humanitarian missions, including disaster relief. In recent years, the Indian Navy has undergone extensive modernisation and expansion meaning there is now a much more overt military and political readiness to establish blue water capability.

History
History of the Indian Navy

Ancient Lothal as envisaged by the Archaeological Survey of India. India has a maritime history dating back to 7,600 years. The first tidal dock is believed to have been built at Lothal around 2300 BCE during the Indus Valley Civilization, near the present day Mangrol harbour on the Gujarat coast. The Rig Veda written around 1500 BCE, credits Varuna with knowledge of the ocean routes and describes naval expeditions. There is reference to the side wings of a vessel called Plava, which give stability to the ship under storm conditions. A
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compass, Matsya yantra, was used for navigation in the fourth and fifth century AD. The earliest known reference to an organisation devoted to ships in ancient India is to the Mauryan Empire from the 4th century BCE. Emperor Chandragupta Maurya's Prime Minister Kautilya's Arthashastra devotes a full chapter on the state department of waterways under navadhyaksha (Sanskrit for Superintendent of ships) .The term, nava dvipantaragamanam (Sanskrit for sailing to other lands by ships, i.e. Exploration) appears in this book in addition to appearing in the Buddhist text, Baudhayana Dharmasastra as the interpretation of the term, Samudrasamyanam. Sea lanes between India and neighbouring lands were the usual form of trade for many centuries, and are responsible for the widespread influence of Indian Culture on other societies. Powerful navies included those of the Maurya, Satavahana, Gupta, Chola, Pandya, Vijayanagara, Kalinga, Mughal and Maratha empires. The Cholas excelled in foreign trade and maritime activity, extending their influence overseas to China and Southeast Asia. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the Maratha and Kerala fleets were expanded, and became the most powerful Naval Forces in the subcontinent, defeating European Navies at various times (See the Battle of Colachel). The fleet review of the Maratha navy took place at the Ratnagiri fort in which the ships Gurabs, Galbat, Pal & small ships called as "Sangmeshwari" participated. The 'Pal' was a three masted fighter with guns peeping on the broadsides. Kanhoji Angre and Kunjali Marakkar, the Naval chief of Saamoothiri, were two notable naval chiefs of the period.

Colonial Era
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Royal Indian Navy

An Indian Navy was established by the British East India Company in 1830, while most of India was under British rule, as Her Majesty's Indian Navy. It had earlier origins, in the East India Company's Honourable East India Company's Marine, founded in 1612. See link above for complete history. The first Indian to be granted a commission in the Navy was Sub Lieutenant D. N. Mukherji, who joined the Royal Indian Marine as an engineer officer in 1928. In 1946, Indian sailors started a rebellion known as the Royal Indian Navy Mutiny, on board ships and also in shore establishments which spread all over India. A total of 78 ships, 20 shore establishments and 20,000 sailors were involved in the rebellion. After the partition of India and independence, the navy was divided, with most ships and almost all personnel going to the Union of India. When India became a republic on 26 January 1950, most officers were still British, but this was the point at which the navy changed its name to the Indian Navy and its vessels were renamed as Indian Naval Ships (INS). On 22 April 1958 Vice Admiral R. D. Katari assumed office as the first Indian Chief of the Naval Staff.

Invasion of Goa
The first engagement of the Navy in any conflict was Operation Vijay during the invasion of Goa in 1961. This operation followed years of escalating tension between Portugal's colonialism stance and India. On 21 November 1961, Portuguese troops fired on the passenger liner Sabarmati near Anjadip Island, killing one person and injuring another. Shortly after, the Indian government decided to militarily intervene and end Portuguese rule in Goa. Indian ships provided fire support to navy and army landing troops. During the operation, the INS Delhi sank one Portuguese patrol boat. the Indian frigates INS Betwa and INS Beas sank the Portuguese frigate NRP Afonso de Albuquerque after a brief fight.
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Indo-Pakistan Wars Indo-Pakistani wars and conflicts

The aircraft carrier INS Vikrant took part in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, and she played a crucial role in overrunning the shores of East Pakistan (present day Bangladesh) The Indian Navy has been involved in two wars between India and Pakistan. Its activity in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 largely involved patrolling of the coast. The Pakistani Navy attacked the Indian coastal city of Dwarka and returned to their home port, although they did not achieve any strategic objective. However, the Navy did play a significant role in Operation Trident, which was the bombing of Karachi harbor in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, on 4 December 1971. This attack was a success, and 4 December has been celebrated in India as Navy Day ever since then. This attack was followed by Operation Python before the center of conflict shifted to the eastern IndianPakistani border and the Bay of Bengal. To demonstrate ist solidarity with its ally, Pakistan, the United States of America sent Task Force 74 centered around the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise into the Bay of Bengal. A task force led by the INS Vikrant was stationed supposedly to counter the Enterprise's task force. Submarines of the Soviet Navy also trailed the American task force. A confrontation was averted when the American task force moved towards Southeast Asia, away from the Indian Ocean.
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The sinking of the Pakistani Navy's lone long-range submarine PNS Ghazi after an attack by the Indian destroyer INS Rajput, enabled an easy Indian blockade of East Pakistan. The missile boats INS Nirghat and INS Nipat each sank a Pakistani destroyer. Also, the INS Veer sank a Pakistani minesweeper. Indian naval aircraft, such as the Sea Hawk and the Alizs, flyinging from the Vikrant were also involved in sinking many gunboats and Pakistani merchant marine ships. There was one major loss by the Indian Navy: the frigate INS Khukri (sunken by the PNS Hangor), but the Indian warship INS Kirpan was just damaged in the western region of this war. In the end, the Indian naval blockade of the Port of Karachi and the complete blockade of the ports of East Pakistan were successful in cutting the Pakistani Army in East Pakistan off from reinforcements and supplies. These actions proved to be decisive in India's victory in the war.

Operation Cactus
In 1988, the Indian Navy joined the Indian Air Force in successfully thwarting a coup attempt by PLOTE in the Maldives. A naval maritime reconnaissance aircraft detected a vessel hijacked by PLOTE rebels. One of the hostages on-board included a senior Maldivian minister and Operation Cactus was launched to secure the vessel. After military intervention by INS Godavari and Indian marine commandos, the rebels surrendered.

1999-2001 Operations
During the 1999 Kargil conflict between India and Pakistan, the Western and Eastern fleets were deployed in the Northern Arabian Sea, as a part of Operation Talwar. The intent was to safeguard India's maritime assets from a potential Pakistani naval attack, as also to deter Pakistan from escalating to a full-scale war by blocking India's sea-trade routes.[33] Indian Navy's aviators and commandos also fought along side Indian Army personnel during the Kargil War.

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The Indian Navy was a part of the joint forces exercises, Operation Parakram, during the 20012002 IndiaPakistan standoff. More than a dozen warships were deployed. Later in 2001, the Indian Navy provided escort to United States warships traveling through the Strait of Malacca to take part in Operation Enduring Freedom.

Disaster relief 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake

During the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake crisis, the Indian Navy deployed 27 ships, 19 helicopters, 6 naval aircraft and over 5000 Naval personnel in disaster relief operations. These deployments were a part of various area-specific relief operations including Operation Madath in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, Operation Sea Waves in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Operation Castor in Maldives, Operation Rainbow in Sri Lanka and Operation Gambhir in Indonesia. This was one of the largest relief mobilisations that the Indian Navy had undertaken. Indian Naval groups were able to start large scale rescue operations in neighbouring countries within 12 hours from the time of the tsunami, and was the first foreign navy to reach the affected areas. The quick deployment of forces during relief operations was a testing ground for the Navy's amphibious, as well as force projection capabilities. Deficiencies in the response led to modernisation of the naval forces after the tsunami, including the acquisition of Landing Platform Docks (LPD) like the INS Jalashwa (formerly the USS Trenton), as well as smaller amphibious vessels. Part of the Eastern Fleet, the Jalashwa is the second-largest ship currently in-service with the Indian Navy.

Operation Sukoon
During the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict, the Indian Navy evacuated 2,286 Indian nationals and expatriates, including 436 Sri Lankan and 69 Nepali citizens, from war-torn Lebanon. This operation was named
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Operation Sukoon, meaning "Peace and tranquility". In the year 2006, ten naval doctors from India served for 102 days on USNS Mercy and conducted about 10 medical camps in Philippines, Bangladesh, Indonesia and East Timor. Indian Navy has also provided relief materials to survivors of cyclones in Bangladesh and Myanmar. Two ships from the Indian Navy carried the first international aid material for the victims of Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar.

Anti-piracy operations

INS Mysore on deployment in the Gulf of Aden to check piracy

In October 1999, a coordinated effort by the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard led to the release of a hijacked Japanese cargo ship, MV Alondra Rainbow, from pirates. Piracy off the coast of Somalia has caused significant concerns in India as most of its sea-trade routes pass through the region. The Indian Navy responded to these concerns by deploying the frigate INS Tabar in the Gulf of Aden in October 2008. Within a month of its deployment, the Tabar had prevented attempts by pirates to board two cargo ships and also destroyed a pirate "mother ship". As of 11 November 2008, the frigate had escorted 35 ships safely through the pirate-infested region. The pirates had hijacked a fishing trawler from Thailand and made it their mothership. There were also reports of India deploying destroyer INS Mysore to augment the frigate INS Tabar in anti-piracy operations. On 21 November 2008 India was granted permission to enter Somalian
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territorial waters to intercept suspected pirate vessels. 23 pirates were arrested by Indian Navy while attempting to hijack a merchant ship near the Gulf of Aden. Anti-piracy patrols were carried out after a request was made by the Seychelles government, resulting in the arrest of nine pirates. Further ships has been send to give a boost to anti-piracy operations. While preventing a pirate attack on a Liberian vessel MV Maud, two pirates were killed and the remaining six were apprehended. On 7 December 2009, the Indian Navy successfully repulsed a pirate attack on a US-owned tanker in the Gulf of Aden off Somalia coast. The Indian Navy was awarded by the U.N for anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden By June 2010, Indian Navy had escorted about thousand ships of fifty nations in the Gulf of Eden. Indias coast guard and navy again captured 28 suspected Somali pirates and rescued 24 Thai fisherman from a fishing trawler that was used as a pirate mothership off the coast of India. It was countrys second piracy success in under two weeks of February 2011. A group of 61 and 16 pirates were arrested in March.

Personnel Commissioned Officers

Rank Insignia Shou lder

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Slee ve Ad mira l of Ad Ran the mira k Flee l t[note

1]

Vic e Ad mira l

Rea Lieute r Com Com nant Cap Lieut Sublieu Ad modor mande Com tain enant tenant mira e r mande l r

The Commander of the Navy is the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS). Admiral Nirmal Kumar Verma, who was formerly the Eastern Naval Commander at Visakhapatnam, has assumed responsibility as the head of Navy from incumbent Admiral Sureesh Mehta, who retires from service. While the provision for the rank of Admiral of the Fleet exists, it is primarily intended for major wartime use and honour. No officer of the Indian Navy has yet been conferred this rank. (Both the Army and Air Force have had officers who have been conferred with the equivalent rank - Field Marshals Sam Manekshaw and Cariappa of the Army and Marshal of the Indian Air Force (MIAF) Arjan Singh.)

Commands
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The Indian Navy operates three Commands. Each Command is headed by a Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief in the rank of Vice Admiral. Commands HQ Location Current FOC-in-C Western Naval Command Eastern Naval Command Mumbai Vice Admiral Bhasin Sanjeev

Visakhapatnam Vice Admiral Anup Singh[68] Vice Admiral K N Sushil Lieutenant General

Southern Naval Command Kochi Far Eastern Command Naval Andaman

Two of the three commands have a two-star commanded Fleet, the Eastern and Western Fleets, and each also has a Commodore Commanding Submarines. Southern Naval Command is home to Flag Officer Sea Training. Additionally, the Andaman and Nicobar Command at Port Blair under Vice Admiral D K Joshi is a joint command reporting to the Chief of Integrated Service Command (CISC) in New Delhi. The Andaman and Nicobar Command, a joint Navy, Indian Army and Indian Air Force command was set up in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in 2001. It was created to safeguard India's strategic interests in Southeast Asia and the Strait of Malacca. The Indian Navy plays a major role in patrolling the area with the Indonesian Navy, Royal Malaysian Navy and Royal Thai Navy. India and Australia signed an agreement to provide maritime security in the Asia Pacific region.

Bases

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Indian Navy Tu-142 and IL-38SD stationed at Arakkonam Naval Air Station In 2005, the Indian Navy commissioned INS Kadamba at Karwar, 100 km from Goa. This is the third operational naval base after Mumbai and Vishakapatnam and the first to be controlled exclusively by the Navy. (The other bases share port facilities with civilian shipping, but this one is for purely naval use.) Built under Phase I of the multi-billion dollar Project Seabird, it is the largest naval base in the region. Asia's largest Naval academy INS Zamorin, was inaugurated at Ezhimala, in January 2009 by the Prime Minister of India. Another naval base is being planned for the eastern shores, near Vishakapatnam at a cost of US$350 million. The base, which will be located fifty km south of Vishakapatnam in Rambilli Mandal, will have comprehensive anti-aircraft, anti-submarine and amphibious capability. This east coast base expansion program is in direct response to Chinese PLA Navy activities in the region. The Indian Navy is setting up a naval station in Madagascar, to monitor and patrol the coast of Mozambique as well as the Southern Indian Ocean. The Indian Navy also has berthing rights in Oman.

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Indian Navy's marine commandos during an exercise in the Philippine Sea.

Marine Commando Force

The Marine Commando Force (MCF), also known as MARCOS, is a special forces unit that was raised by the Indian Navy in 1987 for direct action, special reconnaissance, amphibious warfare and counterterrorism. In 1988, the MARCOS successfully rescued several hostages, including Maldives' then-Minister of Education, aboard a ship hijacked by PLOTE mercenaries during Operation Cactus. The MARCOS are also deployed to prevent infiltration through the Jhelum and Wular Lake and are involved in covert counter-terrorism operations in and around lakes and rivers in Jammu and Kashmir. The MARCOS were also involved in the rescue mission of hostages captured by the terrorists in Taj Mahal Palace & Tower luxury hotel in Mumbai as part of a large terrorist attack in Mumbai metropolis in November 2008.

Ships of the Indian Navy

The names of all commissioned ships (and Naval Bases) of the Indian Navy are prefixed with the letters INS, designating Indian Naval Ship or Indian Navy Station.

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The fleet of the Indian Navy is a mix of domestic built and foreign vessels and is expanding with new inductions. India often builds destroyers, frigates and corvettes.

Destroyers
The Indian Navy currently operates the Delhi and Rajput class guidedmissile destroyers. The next-generation, Kolkata class vessels are expected to be commissioned starting in 2011.

INS Tabar, a Talwar Class Frigate. Frigates

The guided-missile frigates currently in service are the Shivalik class , Talwar class, Brahmaputra class and Godavari class. The Nilgiri class (variants of the British Leander class) vessels have all except 2 been decommissioned. The three Advanced Talwar class frigates (Krivak IV) are also scheduled for delivery by 2012. Further vessels of the Shivalik class are undergoing sea trials and expected to be commissioned in 2011.

Corvettes
The Indian Navy currently operates the Kora, Khukri, Veer and Abhay class corvettes.

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The next-generation Project 28 and Project 28A class of corvettes are expected to be commissioned starting in 2012.

Amphibious warfare vessels

The Indian Navy has an Amphibious transport dock of the Austin class, re-christened as INS Jalashwa in service. Besides, it also maintains a fleet of tank landing ships and other smaller vessels. It currently has no dedicated helicopter carrier in its possession which is a shortcoming as other navies in the world with aspiring blue water navy capabilities have them, the gap formed is hence filled by indian navy by operating the helicopters from its aircraft carrier to carry out amphibious operations along with anti submarine warfare roles

Aircraft Carriers
The Indian Navy presently has one aircraft carrier in active service INS Viraat. The carrier is planned for decommissioning after the induction of the first domestically built Vikrant class aircraft carrier. The Indian Navy will also induct the Russian-built INS Vikramaditya in 2012.

Diesel Submarines
The Indian Navy operates a fleet of diesel-electric submarines of the Sindhughosh and Shishumar classes. India has started construction of six Scorpne class submarines with MESMA air-independent propulsion. These submarines will join the Indian Navy from second half of 2015 onwards. India issued a request for information for another six submarines in 2011.

Nuclear powered submarines

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CGI of INS Arihant, India's first ballistic missile nuclear submarine.

In 1988, India acquired an ex-Soviet Charlie class nuclear powered guided missile submarine with eight Ametist (SS-N-7 Starbright) antishipping missile launchers on a 3-year lease. In the Indian Navy, the vessel was commissioned as INS Chakra, and the submarine was manned by an Indian crew. Upon expiration of the lease term in 1991, the submarine was returned to Russia and joined the Pacific Fleet of the Russian Navy. India paid US$2 billion for the completion of two Akula-II class submarines which were 40-60% completed. Three hundred Indian Navy personnel were trained in Russia for the operation of these submarines. India has finalized a deal with Russia, in which at the end of the lease of these submarines, it has an option to buy them. The first submarine is named INS Chakra, and was handed over to the Indian Navy in August 2010. India's indigenously designed and built nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines of the Arihant class are expected to be commissioned starting in 2012. The lead vessel of the class, INS Arihant, was launched for sea-trials on 26 July 2009 in Visakhapatnam. The Navy plans to have six SSBN's in service.

Fleet Tankers
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The Indian Navy currently operates 3 replenishment tankers and one has been launched.They are the Jyoti Class Tanker , INS Aditya(A59) and the new Deepak class fleet tanker.The Deepak class tankers will be the mainstay till the 1st half of the 21st century. The 2nd of the Deepak class will be named 'Shakti'.

Planned Acquisitions
The Navy is purchasing from Russia the Kiev class aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov (INS Vikramaditya), which will be delivered to India by 2012. The Indian Navy is also negotiating with Russia for the acquisition of further Advanced Talwar class frigates, and six conventional submarines. India started a programme in 1985 to develop indigenous technologies for building a nuclear-powered submarine, known as the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project .The first Advanced Technology Vessel is called INS Arihant, was launched on 26 July 2009. The hull for the vessel has been built by Larsen & Toubro at its A naval version of a nuclear reactor has been developed at the Indira Gandhi Centre For Atomic Research, Kalpakkam and will be deployed on the submarine's hull after miniaturisation. The Prototype Testing Centre (PTC) will be used to test the submarine's turbines and propellers. A similar facility is operational at Vishakapatnam to test the main turbines and gear box. Once the vessel is completed, it may be equipped with K-15 as well as Sagarika/Agni-III ballistic missiles and advanced Indian made sonar systems. According to defence sources, the ATV is expected to be commissioned in 2010. Each unit will cost US$1 billion. Government has given approval for constructing the follow on SSBN's which will be larger than the Arihant class submarines. Approval has also been given for the construction of SSN's which will escort the SSBN's. The naval air-arm is an important component of the Indian Navy. The Indian Navy air arm consists of Sea Harrier jets that operate from the
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aircraft carrier INS Viraat and also from INS Jalashwa. The Kamov-31 provide the Airborne Early Warning cover for the fleet. In the antisubmarine role the Sea King, Ka-28 and the domestic built HAL Dhruv are used. The MARCOS use Sea King and HAL Dhruv helicopters while conducting operations. Reconnaissance operations are carried out by Tupolev 142, Ilyushin 38, Dornier Do 228 aircraft, as well as HAL Chetak helicopters. The Aircraft used for carrying out roles of a strategic bomber and as a maritime strike are carried out by 4(3 more on order) Tupolev Tu-22M, which is also capable of performing reconnaissance missions. The UAV arm consists of around 30 UAVs like Heron and Searcher-IIs that are operated from ships and shore for better surveillance. The Indian Navy also maintains a four aircraft aerobatic display team, the Sagar Pawan. The Sagar Pawan team will be replacing their present Kiran HJT-16 aircraft with the newly developed HJT-36 aircraft. The Indian Navy has also placed an order for 8 P-8I Poseidon long-range maritime reconnaissance (LRMR) aircraft., with further orders for four more aircraft awaiting approval from the Government of India. In January 2004, the Indian Navy signed a contract for the delivery of 12 MiG-29K and 4 MiG-29KUB which will be operated from INS Vikramaditya. The first MiG-29KUB manufactured for the Navy took to the skies in May 2008. The first four aircraft were delivered to India in February 2009. There were also reports that the Indian Navy would purchase an additional 30 MiG-29Ks and -KUBs for the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier. The Indian Navy has a requirement of 50 Naval Tejas aircraft. The first prototype NP-1 is expected to fly in 2010. The Indian Air Force also has a maritime strike role, providing support to the Indian Navy. It operates SEPECAT Jaguar and Sukhoi Su-30MKI Aircraft in this role. The Jaguars are armed with the Sea Eagle missile, which will be replaced with the Harpoon missile. Su-30MKI and the Il38 will be armed with the air-launched version of the Brahmos cruise missile.

Weapon systems of the Indian Navy

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Brahmos supersonic cruise missile is becoming the primary anti-ship missile of the Indian Navy. The Indian Navy uses modern technology and weapon systems, most of which are imported from foreign countries. Others, like the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, are jointly developed. There are reports on the joint development by India and Israel of the Barak-II missile system, an improved, longer range version of the Barak-I air defence missile which is operational on Indian Navy ships. The Barak-I is used on most of the main ships of the Indian Navy. The Indian Navy's nuclear deterrence capability is based on Sukanya class ships armed with the Dhanush ballistic missiles that has a range of 350 km. India has a number of foreign made cruise missile systems, including the Klub SS-N-27. It also has its own Nirbhay cruise missile systems under development. The Sagarika (Oceanic) submarine launched ballistic missile (SLBM), which has a range of at least 700 km (some sources claim 1000 km) forms part of India's nuclear triad. Another successful programme has been the adaptation of the Yakhont anti-ship missile system into the BrahMos by the NPO and the DRDO. The BrahMos has been tailored to Indian needs and uses a large proportion of Indian-designed components and technology, including its fire control systems, transporter erector launchers, and its onboard navigational attack systems. The successful test of Brahmos from INS Rajput (D51) provides Indian Navy with precision land attack capability.
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Electronic warfare and systems management

INS Shivalik the first indigenous stealth ship of the Indian navy.
Sangraha is a joint electronic warfare programme of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Navy. The system comprises a family of electronic warfare suites, such as Ajanta and Ellora, for use on different naval platforms capable of intercepting, detecting, and classifying pulsed, carrier wave, pulse repetition frequency agile, frequency agile and chirp radars. The systems employ a modular approach facilitating deployment on various platforms like helicopters, vehicles, and small ships. Certain platforms, apart from ESM (electronic support measures), have ECM (electronic countermeasure) capabilities. Advanced technologies like multiplebeam phased array jammers are employed in the system for simultaneous handling of multiple threats. The Indian Navy also relies on information technology to face the challenges of the 21st century. The Indian Navy is implementing a new strategy to move from a platform centric force to a network-centric force by linking all shore-based installations and ships via high-speed data networks and satellites. This will help in increased operational awareness. The network is referred to as the Navy Enterprise Wide Network (NEWN). The Indian Navy has also provided training to all its personnel in Information Technology (IT) at the Naval Institute of Computer Applications (NICA) located in Mumbai. Information
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technology is also used to provide better training, like the usage of simulators and for better management of the force.

Fleet reviews
The President of India is entitled to inspect his/her fleet, as he/she is the supreme commander of the Indian Armed Forces. The first President's fleet review by India was hosted by Dr. Rajendra Prasad on 10 October 1953. President's reviews usually take place once in the President's term. In all, nine fleet reviews have taken place, the most recent being in February 2006, when President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam took the review. [116] The Indian Navy also conducted an International fleet review named Bridges of Friendship in February 2001 in Mumbai. Many ships of friendly Navies from all around the world participated, including two from the U.S. Navy. Once in two years navies from the Indian Ocean region meet at the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the event is named as MILAN (Sanskrit: Get together). MILAN included a passage exercise in 2010.

Naval exercises and cooperation

Naval ships from five nations in formation during Malabar 2007, the largest war-game hosted by India. India often conducts naval exercises with other friendly countries designed to increase naval interoperability and also to strengthen cooperative security relationship. Some such exercises take place
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annually like the Varuna with the French Navy, Konkan with the Royal Navy, Indra with Russian Navy, Malabar with the U.S. Navy, Simbex with the Republic of Singapore Navy and IBSAMAR with the Brazil and South African navies. The Indian Navy also conducted exercise with the People's Liberation Army Navy in 2003 and will send ships to the South China Sea to participate in the fleet review. In 2007, the TROPEX (Theatre-level Readiness Operational Exercises) was held during which Indian Navy experimented the doctrine of influencing a land and air battle to support the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force. Apart from the Indian Ocean, India has steadily gained influence in the Pacific Ocean. In 2007, Indian Navy conducted naval exercise with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and U.S Navy in the Pacific and also signed an agreement with Japan in October 2008 for joint naval patrolling in the Asia-Pacific region. India has also held naval exercise with Vietnam, Philippines and New Zealand. In 2007, India and South Korea decided to conduct annual naval exercise and India participated in the South Korean international fleet review. In addition, Indian Navy will also be increasing naval cooperation with other allies, particularly with Germany and Arab states of the Persian Gulf including Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. India held the first Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) with an objective to provide a forum for all the littoral nations of the Indian Ocean to cooperate on mutually agreed areas for better security in the region. The Indian Navy is increasingly used in international diplomacy. Since 2000, the Indian naval ships have made port calls in Israel, Turkey, Egypt, Libya, Greece, Oman, Thailand, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Tonga, South Africa, Kenya, Qatar, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait[142] and other countries in 2005-2007. The first Atlantic Ocean deployment of the Indian Navy happened in 2009. During this deployment, the Indian Naval fleet will conduct exercise with the French, German, Russian and British Navies. Tropex 2010 is currently underway with the Western and Eastern fleets taking part along with elements from the airforce. In 2010, Indian naval
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warships were deployed in the Asia pacific region, and conducted courtesy calls at friendly ports.

Exploration

INS Tarangini is the only sail training ship in the Indian Navy and is an icon of India's rich maritime history. The Indian Navy regularly conducts adventure expeditions. The sailing ship and training vessel INS Tarangini began circumnavigating the world on 23 January 2003, intending to foster good relations with various other nations; she returned to India in May of the following year after visiting 36 ports in 18 nations. INS Tarangini returned to port, after a ten month long overseas voyage named Lokayan 07. Lt. Cdr. M.S. Kohli led the Indian Navys first successful expedition to Mount Everest in 1965; the Navys ensign was again flown atop Everest on 19 May 2004 by a similar expedition. Another Navy team also successfully scaled Everest from the north face, the technically more challenging route. The expedition was led by Cdr Satyabrata Dam, belonging to the elite submarine arm. Cdr. Dam is a mountaineer of international repute and has climbed many mountains including the Patagonias, the Alps among others. This team's record is unmatched by any other navy. The Navy was also the first to send a submariner to summit Everest. An Indian Navy team comprising 11 members successfully completed an expedition to the Arctic pole. To prepare, they first travelled to
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Iceland, where they attempted to summit a peak. The team next flew to eastern Greenland; in the Kulusuk and Angmassalik areas, they used Inuit boats to navigate the regions ice-choked fjords. They crossed northward across the Arctic Circle, reaching seventy degrees North on skis. The team scaled an unnamed peak of height 11,000 feet (3,400 m) and named it Indian Peak. The Indian Naval ensign first flew in Antarctica in 1981. The Indian Navy succeeded in Mission Dakshin Dhruv 2006 by traversing to the South Pole on skis. With this historic expedition, they have set the record for being the first military team to have successfully completed a ski traverse to the Geographic South Pole. Also, three of the ten member team - the expedition leader - Cdr. Satyabrata Dam, leading medical assistants Rakesh Kumar and Vikas Kumar are now amongst the few people in the world to have visited the two poles and summited Mt. Everest. Indian Navy became the first organisation to reach the poles and Mt.Everest. A solo circumnavigation voyage named 'Sagar Parikrama' is underway by Cdr. Dilip Donde.

Ongoing expansion

The P-8 Poseidon will complement the Tu-142 ME in service.

[158]

In 2004, India bought the Russian aircraft carrier, Admiral Gorshkov for the equivalent of US$1.5 billion. It will cost an additional US$1.5
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billion to refit, and is expected to join the Indian Navy in 2012 as INS Vikramaditya. A further US$700 million will be spent to purchase 12 single-seat MiG-29K and four dual-seat MiG-29KUB fighters, six Kamov-31 attack and reconnaissance anti-submarine helicopters; also included are training facilities for pilots and technical staff, delivery of simulators and spare parts, and establishment and maintenance of Indian Navy facilities. Upgrades include removing missiles from the carrier foredeck to make way for a 14.3-degree ski-jump.[159] The Mig-29's will be delivered to the Indian Navy in 2009. In April 2007, India began construction of a 40,000 tonne Vikrant class aircraft carrier at a cost of US$800 million and scheduled to operate 30 aircraft, including Naval LCA, MiG-29K, and Sea Harrier combat aircraft, as well as HAL Dhruv, Ka-31, and Sea King Mk.42 helicopters. Four turbine engines will power the ship. The carrier is being constructed by state-run Cochin Shipyard Limited. and will be commissioned by 2012-13. The Indian Minister of State for Defence, Pallam Raju, went on record in September 2006 stating that the aircraft carrier is likely to be commissioned by 2011. There are plans to build more aircraft carriers domestically. The Indian Navy is currently undergoing rapid expansion and modernisation. Yantar, a plant in Kaliningrad, Russia, was awarded a US$1.56 billion contract to build three additional 1135.6 frigates. The increased price is due to more sophisticated armaments such as BrahMos cruise missiles. The Navy has government approval for an additional eight warships. The Indian Navy has signed a deal with Boeing to supply twelve P-8 Poseidon Anti Submarine Warfare/Maritime Surveillance Aircraft. The first aircraft will be delivered 4 years after the signing of the contract, that is 2012. Also there are plans to induct four AEW&C aircraft that will be based on super carriers.

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Future Prospects

Indian Navy has shown interest in the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft India is expected to spend about US$40 billion on military modernisation from 2008 to 2013. A major chunk of those purchases were made for the Indian Navy. Design of a third 65,000 ton aircraft carrier called Indigenous Aircraft Carrier II (IAC-II)is ongoing and will be inducted into the Navy by 2017. Order has been placed for seven Project 17A class frigates. India is currently focusing on expanding its submarine fleet. Also newer technology like the Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) is being developed for the Indian Navy. After ordering six Scorpene submarines as part of Project 75, Indian Navy is now on the look out for six next-generation submarines in a project worth over 50,000 crore (US$11.1 billion). These six dieselelectric submarines built in India under Project-75I, will be equipped with air-independent propulsion boosting their operational capabilities and will have high degree of stealth, land-attack capability and ability to incorporate futuristic technologies. While according to the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), three of the six submarines will be constructed at the Mazagon Dock Ltd (MDL) in Mumbai and one at Hindustan Shipyard Ltd (HSL) in Visakhapatnam, the two remaining submarines will either be imported or constructed at a private shipyard in India. RFI has been issued to Rosoboronexport, French (Armaris),
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HDW and other firms, two rounds of discussions have already taken place. The RFP (request for proposal) for six MRMR aircraft with antisubmarine warfare (ASW) capabilities was issued on 11 July 2008 to Italian Alenia Aeronautica's ATR-72-500MP aircraft, Brazilian Embraer P-99 , French Dassault's Falcon 900DX and Russian Antonov-72P. The contract is expected to be signed in 2011 and deliveries to begin by 2012/2013. The contract is estimated to cost 1,600 crore (US$355.2 million). The Navy is also planning to induct more UAVs. The IndiaIsrael joint venture to convert the Chetak helicopters into unmanned UAV's that can operate from ships is progressing steadily. All these will be linked with space-based reconnaissance systems. On 13 January 2009, India has issued a request for proposals (RFPs) for six Medium Range Maritime Reconnaissance (MRMR) aircraft. The new aircraft, which will replace the ageing fleet of 10 Islander aircraft in service, are to be equipped with an Airborne Early Warning system. The Indian Coast Guard has an additional requirement for six MRMRs without an Airborne Early Warning system. The MRMR is required to have a range of 500 nautical miles (930 km) and an endurance of 6 hours. Aircraft competing for the order include a variant of Boeing's P-8I, and possibly the turboprop ATR-72MP, EADS C-295, Dassault's Falcon 900MPA and Embraer P-99A platforms. For the Coast Guard RFP, contenders could be the ATR-42MP, C-295 or CN-235MP. In August 2009, the U.S. Navy and Northrop Grumman briefed the Indian Navy on the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye. This covered potential use of this platform to satisfy its current shore-based and future carrierbased Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) requirements. The Indian Navy reportedly expressed interest in acquiring up to six Hawkeyes. Indian Navy has issued a tender for procurement of 16 advanced, multirole naval helicopters to AgustaWestland, EADS and Sikorsky. The order is likely to be expanded to 60 helicopters. The helicopters will be equipped with anti-ship and anti-submarine warfare equipment
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including cruise missiles and torpedoes, and also be capable of being refuelled in flight. The type will operate from both naval vessels and land bases. Global bids has been floated to acquire eight mine countermeasure vessels (MCMVs), to replace the twelve Pondicherry class ocean minesweepers in service. France's DCN International, Fincantieri of Italy, Izar of Spain, Kangnam Shipbuilding Co. of South Korea and Northrop Grumman of the U.S have been invited to participate in the bidding process. Six of the craft will be produced at Goa shipyard under transfer of technology With the recent and ongoing upgrades and inductions, independent analysts expect that the Indian Navy may soon become a blue-water navy. India's navy is already the most powerful in the region, and with further upgrades in the future, aims to control the Indian Ocean Region, from the coast of East Africa to Australia. India is also the only Asian navy to regularly operate aircraft carriers. The aim is to have a total of three Aircraft carriers resulting in two fully operational Carrier battle groups and an additional Aircraft carrier eventually in refit making India an operating Blue-water navy. The ambitious long term plan that was recently revealed shows a roadmap to blue water navy with six aircraft carriers.

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