Indian Armed Forces
 Emblem of India |
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| Military manpower | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total armed forces | 2,414,700 (Ranked 2nd) | ||||||||||
| Active troops | 1,414,000 (Ranked 3rd) | ||||||||||
| Total troops | 3,773,300 (Ranked 7th) | ||||||||||
| Paramilitary | 1,089,700 | ||||||||||
| 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.) | ||||||||||
| Military expenditures | |||||||||||
| US$ figure | 32.35 billion (nominal), 100 billion (PPP) (2006 est.)[1] | ||||||||||
| Percent of GDP | 0.5% (2004 est.) [4] | ||||||||||
| Components | |||||||||||
| Indian Army |  |
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| Indian Air Force |  |
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| Indian Navy |  |
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| Indian Coast Guard |  |
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| Paramilitary Forces of India (PMF) | |||||||||||
| Strategic Nuclear Command · Integrated Space Cell | |||||||||||
| History | |||||||||||
| Military history of India | |||||||||||
| British Indian Army · Indian National Army | |||||||||||
| Ranks and insignia | |||||||||||
| Air Force · Army · Navy | |||||||||||
| Related Info | |||||||||||
| Aircraft of the Indian Air Force | |||||||||||
| List of Indian divisions in WWII | |||||||||||
| Regiments of the Indian Army | |||||||||||
The Indian Armed Forces is the overall unified military of the Republic of India encompassing the Indian Army, the Indian Air Force, the Indian Navy and various other inter-service institutions. The President of India serves as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces[2] while the effective executive power is held by the Union Government headed by the Prime Minister of India. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is the ministry charged with internal and external security of India.
With an estimated total active force of 1,325,000 personnel,[3] India maintains the world's third largest armed forces.[4] Auxiliary services include the Indian Coast Guard, the Paramilitary Forces of India (PMF) and the Strategic Forces Command. India's official defense budget stands at US$26.5 billion[5] but the actual spending on the armed forces is estimated to be much higher than that.[6] Undergoing rapid expansion and modernization[7], the Indian Armed Forces plans to have an active military space program[8] and is currently developing nuclear triad capability.[9]
Contents |
Recruitment and training
Recruitment is through three military related academies. These include the National Defence Academy, Indian Military Academy and Officers Training Academy. For entrance, one must display that they are both physically and mentally fit to be in the military by sitting examinations and undergoing medical checkups. The complete list of institutions training Indian army were listed in Military academies in India section.
Indian Army
The Indian Army is the world's second largest army in terms of military personnel (after China). It is a completely voluntary service, the military draft having never been imposed in India. The army has rich combat experience in diverse terrains, due to India's diverse geography, and also has a distinguished history of serving in United Nations peacekeeping operations.
The force is headed by the Chief of Army Staff, currently General Deepak Kapoor. The highest rank in the Indian Army is Field Marshal, but it is a largely ceremonial rank and appointments are made by the President of India, on the advice of the Union Cabinet of Ministers, only in exceptional circumstances. (See Field Marshal (India)). late General S.H.F.J. Manekshaw and the late General K.M. Cariappa are the only two officers who have attained this rank.
The Indian Army has seen military action in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947, the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965,the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, and others such as Operation Polo in 1948, the Sino-Indian War in 1962 over the McMahon Line, and the Kargil War against Kashmiri insurgents and the Pakistan military personnel
Currently, the Indian army has dedicated one brigade of troops to the UN's standby arrangements. Through its large, sustained troop commitments India has come in for much praise for taking part in difficult operations for prolonged periods.
The Indian Army has participated in several UN peacekeeping operations, including the ones in Cyprus, Lebanon, Congo, Angola, Cambodia, Vietnam, Namibia, El Salvador, Liberia, Mozambique and Somalia. The army also provided a paramedical unit to facilitate the withdrawal of the sick and wounded in Korea.
The Indian Navy is the naval branch of the armed forces of India. With 55,000 men and women, including 5,000 naval aviation personnel and 2,000 Marine Commandos (MARCOS), it is the world's fifth largest navy.[10] The Indian Navy currently operates more than 155 vessels, including the aircraft carrier INS Viraat. The navy is considered to have blue-water capabilities. It is fairly advanced in terms of technology and is in control of one of two Asian aircraft carriers. Two more aircraft carriers are on order and will be joining the Indian Navy. The ships of the Indian Navy are of Indian and foreign origin.[11]
In its maritime doctrine, the Indian Navy establishes its role in providing support to maritime neighbours during natural disasters. This was demonstrated during the Asian tsunami crisis during which the Indian Navy sent 35 ships to support relief efforts in neighbouring countries. The Indian navy has taken part in UN missions in the coast of Somalia and has provided security to an African Union summit held in Mozambique. India uses its navy to enhance its international relations through joint exercises, port visits, and humanitarian missions, including disaster relief. The Indian Navy is increasing its capabilities as a true blue-water navy; the Indian Navy's doctrine states that this is for the collective good of nations.[12]
Indian Air Force
The Indian Air Force is the fourth largest air force in the world.[13][14] In its history, it has generally relied on Soviet, British, and French technology to support its growth. However, in recent times, India has begun building its own original aircraft, including the HAL Tejas, which is a 4th generation fighter. Also, India and Russia are currently building a 5th generation stealth aircraft jointly. India has also developed an UAV called Nishant and an advanced light helicopter called the HAL Dhruv. Recently, it completed a test of a long range BVR air to air missile named Astra and also conducted a successful test of its anti-ballistic missile defense system and hence became the 4th country after the US, Russia, and Israel to do so.
Paramilitary forces of India
Nuclear Command Authority
It is estimated that India possesses around 200-250 nuclear warheads which could be deployed at short notice.
Nuclear doctrine
The Indian military possesses nuclear weapons and sufficient means — by means of missiles and aircraft — to deliver anything over long distances. However, India has a nuclear no-first-use and no use against non-nuclear weapons state policy. It also maintains a non-nuclear doctrine based on credible minimum deterrence. India is not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT), arguing that it unfairly favours the established nuclear powers: While the treaty places restrictions on the non-nuclear weapons states, it does little to curb the modernization and expansion of the nuclear arsenals of the nuclear weapons states; it provides no provision for complete nuclear disarmament.
Gallantry awards
The highest wartime gallantry award given by the Military of India is the Param Vir Chakra (PVC), followed by the Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) and the Vir Chakra (VrC). Its peacetime equivalent is the Ashoka Chakra. The highest decoration for meritorious service is the Param Vishisht Seva Medal.
Future
Several reports have mentioned that the Indian military will be an even greater force to reckon with in the future given the twin advantage of economic growth and an increasing population. Analyses of the Central Intelligence Agency indicates that India is projected to possess the fourth most capable concentration of power by 2015.[15] According to a report published by the US Congress, India is the developing world's leading arms purchaser.[16]
Notes
- ↑ [1]
- ↑ http://www.prsi.co.in/politicalstructure.html
- ↑ http://www.csis.org/media/csis/pubs/060626_asia_balance_powers.pdf
- ↑ http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/DEL78715.htm
- ↑ http://in.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idINIndia-32231720080229
- ↑ http://www.business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=316389
- ↑ http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/09/19/news/missile.php?page=2
- ↑ http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/06/18/MNRR11AJK9.DTL&type=science
- ↑ http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/India_test_fires_submarine-launched_ballistic_missile/rssarticleshow/2817645.cms
- ↑ Global Security article on the Indian Navy
- ↑ Global Security The Indian Navy
- ↑ India's 12 Steps to a World-Class Navy
- ↑ GlobalSecurity.org
- ↑ Indian Air Force website
- ↑ INDIA IN THE INDIAN OCEAN by Donald L. Berlin Naval War College Review, Spring 2006, Vol. 59, No. 2
- ↑ BBC NEWS | Business | India's navy in $1.8bn sub deal
^ Does not include members of the Indian Police Service
References
- CIA World Factbook 2005: India
- Militarism in India: The Army and Civil Society in Consensus- by A. Kundu
External links
- BharatRakshak.com- Informative site on the Indian Military
- Indian Armed Forces - Indian military's official website
- Indian Air Force - Official website
- India Defence - Military & Defence News
- Washington Post correspondent Amar Bakshi investigates the Indian perspective of the proposed U.S.-India Nuclear Deal
- Indian Military Build-up TIME.com
- [5]
Armed forces, a forgotten lot: A debate by NDTV.com [6]
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Indian Coast Guard
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