Military of India

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**Indian Armed Forces**
Military manpower
Emblem
Total armed forces	2,414,700^[2] (Ranked 3rd)
Active troops	1,414,000 (Ranked 3rd)
Total troops	3,773,300 (Ranked 6th)
Paramilitary forces	1,089,700^[3]
Conscription age	16 years of age
Availability	males age 15-49: 287,551,111 (2005 est.)
Fit for military service	males age 18-49: 219,471,999 (2005 est.)
Reaching conscription age annually	males: 11,446,452 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures
USD figure	25.97(nominal),100 billion (ppp) billion US $ (2006 est.) [4]
Percent of GDP	1.97% (2004 est.) [5]
Components
Indian Army
Indian Air Force
Indian Navy
Indian Coast Guard
Indian Paramilitary Forces
Strategic Nuclear Command
History
Military history of India
British Indian Army
Indian National Army
Ranks
Air Force ranks and insignia of India
Army ranks and insignia of India
Naval ranks and insignia of India
Related Info
Aircraft of the Indian Air Force
List of Indian divisions in WWII
Regiments of the Indian Army

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

All service personnel are volunteers although the government is empowered to undertake conscription if considered necessary for India's defence. However, India has never had conscription, even during the Indo-Pakistani Wars and the Indo-China War. The armed forces draw many of its service personnel from communities maintaning a long-standing military tradition. Retaining much of the organisational structure established by the British, the armed forces continue to face challenges from aging weaponry and equipment and relying on foreign purchases of military equipment. However, the armed forces are an essential character of India's strategic importance, power and capabilities, which have increased after India became a declared nuclear weapons state.

[edit] History

Main article: Military history of India

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Although India has a long military history, the modern armed forces were raised under British Raj in the 19th century. The Army of India, as the armed force was known during the British Raj, fought in both the World Wars. During World War II, the Army of India played a crucial role in checking the advance of the Imperial Japan and also fought several battles against Axis forces in northern Africa and Italy.

The Indian armed forces succeeded the Military of British India following India's independence in 1947. The Indian armed forces has fought in all three wars against Pakistan and a war with People's Republic of China. India also fought Kargil War with Pakistan in 1999. The Indian Armed Forces have participated in several United Nations peacekeeping operations and are presently the second largest troops contributor to the peacekeeping force.

Indian military personnel have also frequently served as peacekeepers for the United Nations. The Indian armed forces have the third highest headcount in the world. Altogether India maintains the third largest armed forces in the world.

[edit] Organisation and command structure

The headquarters of the Indian Armed Forces are in New Delhi, the capital city of India. From here, they are split into different groups based on their region of operation. The Indian Army, for example, is run from its headquarters in New Delhi. It is under the control of the Chief of Army Staff. From here, it is split into 7 tactical commands, each under the control of different Lieutenant Generals.

[edit] Structure of the Indian Army

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

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

There are 3 types of Corps in the Indian Army: Strike, Holding & Mixed. A Command generally consists of 2 or more Corps. A corps has many more army divisions under its control. The Corps HQ is the highest field formation in the army.

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

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

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

The Regiment of Artillery constitutes a formidable operational arm of Indian Army. Historically it takes its lineage from Moghul Emperor Babar 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.

[edit] Rank Structure

See: Army ranks and insignia of India

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

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

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

[edit] Structure of the Indian Navy

[edit] Structure of the Indian Air-Force

[edit] Recruitment and training

Recruitment is through three military related academies. These include the National Defence Academy, Indian Military Academy and Officers Training Academy. For entrance, one must display that they are both physically and mentally fit to be in the military by sitting examinations and undergoing medical checkups.

[edit] Indian Army

Main article: Indian Army

[edit] Strength

Indian Army statistics
Active Troops	1,200,000
Reserve Troops	900,000*
Territorial Army	200,000**
Main Battle Tanks	6200 (900 t-90s to be inducted by 2010 by mass production)
Artillery	31500
Aircraft	52squadrons of helicopters
Surface-to-air missiles	90000

* includes 300,000 1st line troops and 500,000 2nd line troops

** includes 40,000 1st line troops and 160,000 2nd line troops

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

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

Indian soldiers are known as Jawans in Bengali. Shown here are Indian Jawans of the Madras Regiment during the annual Republic Day Military Parade in 2004

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

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

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

[edit] War heroes

A Arjun tank on display. This a tank developed indigenously and is considered similar to western tanks in terms of design and capability.

A T-90 tank on display.

An Indian Army upgraded Ajeya during an exercise.

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

Lt. Nawang Kapadia
Major Navneet Vats
Major Rajesh Singh Adhikari, MVC
Lance Naik Ahmed Ali [7]
Lieutenant Kieshing Clifford Nongrum [8]

[edit] Indian Navy

Main article: Indian Navy

Indian HERMES Class Aircraft Carrier INS (Indian Navy Ship) VIRAAT (R 22)

The Indian Navy is the world's fifth largest navy, in terms of manpower^[1]. The navy is considered to have blue-water capabilities. It is fairly advanced in terms of technology and is in control of one of two Asian aircraft carriers. Two more aircraft carriers are on order and will be joining the Indian Navy. The ships of the Indian Navy are of Indian and foreign origin.^[2] The Indian Navy is expanding and is constructing fifty ships of various sizes, of which thirty seven ships are being built in Indian shipyards. The submarine fleet will become strengthened by the induction of Scorpene class submarines, Advanced Technology Vessel and the Akula class of submarines.

The Indian Navy in its maritime doctrine mentions about its role to provide support to maritime neighbours during the time of natural calamities. This was demonstrated during the Asian tsunami crisis during which the Indian Navy was able to send thirty five ships and also aircrafts and helicopters. The Indian navy has taken part in U.N missions in the coast of Somalia and also has provided security to African Union summit held in Mozambique.

[edit] Indian Air Force

Main article: Indian Air Force

The Indian Air Force

The Indian Air Force is the fourth largest air force in the world ^[3]^[4]. In its history, it has generally relied on Soviet technology to support its growth. However, in recent times, India has begun building its own original aircraft, including the HAL Tejas. It is still cooperating with the Russian Federation to upgrade its air technology.

[edit] Strategic Forces Command

Main article: Strategic Forces Command

[edit] Indian Paramilitary Forces

Main article: Indian Paramilitary Forces

[edit] India and weapons of mass destruction

Indian ballistic missiles

[edit] Nuclear doctrine

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

[edit] Gallantry awards

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

[edit] Future

Several reports have mentioned that the Indian military will be an even greater force to reckon with in the future given the twin advantage of economic growth and an increasing population. Analyses by the Central Intelligence Agency indicates that India is projected to possess the fourth most capable concentration of power by 2015.^[5] According to a report published by the US Congress, India is the developing world's leading arms purchaser^[6].

[edit] See also

Military of India
Indian Army \| Indian Navy \| Indian Air Force \| Indian Coast Guard
Military history \| Military academies \| Special Forces \| Army ranks and insignia \| Air Force ranks and insignia \| Naval ranks and insignia \| Indian Peace Keeping Force \| Indian Paramilitary Forces \| Strategic Forces Command \| Strategic Nuclear Command \| India and WMDs \| India and ballistic missiles