Indian Armed Forces

Indian Armed Forces
Emblem of India
Service branches	Indian Army Indian Navy Indian Air Force Paramilitary Forces of India Strategic Nuclear Command Integrated Space Cell
Leadership
Commander-in-Chief	President Pratibha Patil
Ministry of Defence	A. K. Antony
Chief of the Army Staff	General V K Singh
Manpower
Military age	16 years of age
Conscription	None
Available for military service	313,905,989 males, age 16–49 (2010 est.), 291,755,100 females, age 16–49 (2010 est.)
Fit for military service	244,727,406 males, age 16–49 (2010 est.), 235,662,750 females, age 16–49 (2010 est.)
Reaching military age annually	12,011,217 males (2010 est.), 10,639,158 females (2010 est.)
Active personnel	1,325,000 (2006 est.)[1] (ranked 3rd)
Reserve personnel	1,155,000 (2006 est.)[1]
Expenditures
Budget	$32 billion (FY10)[2] (ranked 9th)
Percent of GDP	2.12% (2010 est.)[2]
Industry
Domestic suppliers	Heavy Vehicles Factory Bharat Electronics Limited Jalabpur Gun Carriage Factory Hindustan Aeronautics Limited Ishapore Rifle Factory Ordnance Factories Organization Tata Motors Heavy Alloy Penetrator Project Mazagon Dock Limited Cochin Shipyard Bharat Dynamics
Foreign suppliers	Israel  Russia  France  United States  United Kingdom  Sweden  Belgium  Germany  Italy  Brazil  Romania[3]
Annual imports	United States, Russia, Israel
Annual exports	Israel, Burma, Nepal, Ecuador
Related articles
History	Military history of India British Indian Army Indian National Army
Ranks	Air Force Army Navy

The Indian Armed Forces (Devanāgarī: भारतीय सशस्त्र सेनाएं, Bhāratīya Saśastra Sēnāēṃ) are the military forces of the Republic of India encompassing the Indian Army, the Indian Navy, the Indian Air Force and various other inter-service institutions.

The Indian military currently employs some 1,325,000 Regular troops,^[1] 1,155,000 Reserve troops^[1] and 1,293,300 Paramilitary troops^[1] (total of 3,773,300 troops), thus giving India the third-largest standing military in the world as of 2006^[4] after the People's Republic of China.^[5] Auxiliary services include the Indian Coast Guard, the Central Paramilitary Forces (CPF) and the Strategic Forces Command. India's official defense budget stands at $32 billion USD^[2] 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 a missile defense shield^[9] and nuclear triad capability. The Armed Forces of India possess nuclear weapons and operate short and intermediate-range ballistic missiles as well as nuclear-capable aircraft, and naval vessels.

India is moving to build a $2 billion or Rs 9,970.16 crore dedicated, highly secure and state-of-the-art optical fiber cable (OFC) network for the Army, Navy and Air Force. This will be one of the world's largest, closed user group (CUG) networks for exclusive use by the million-plus personnel of the Indian armed forces.^[10]

Military history of India

The Maurya Empire at its largest extent under Ashoka the Great

India has the longest military history dating back several millennia. The first reference of armies is found in the Vedas as well as the epics Ramayana and Mahabaratha. There were many powerful dynasties in India such as the Maha Janapadas, Rajput, Matsya Kingdom, Shishunaga Empire, Gangaridai Empire, Nanda Empire, Maurya Empire, Sunga Empire, Kharavela Empire, Kuninda Kingdom, Chola Empire, Chera Empire, Pandyan Empire, Satavahana Empire, Western Satrap Empire, Kushan Empire, Vakataka Empire, Kalabhras Kingdom, Gupta Empire, Pallava Empire, Kadamba Empire, Western Ganga Kingdom, Vishnukundina Empire, Chalukya Empire, Harsha Empire, Shahi Kingdom, Eastern Chalukya Kingdom, Pratihara Empire, Pala Empire, Rashtrakuta Empire, Paramara Kingdom, Yadava Empire, Solanki Kingdom, Western Chalukya Empire, Hoysala Empire, Sena Empire, Eastern Ganga Empire, Kakatiya Kingdom, Kalachuri Empire, Delhi Sultanate, Deccan Sultanates, Ahom Kingdom, Vijayanagar Empire, Mysore Kingdom, Mughal Empire, Sikh Empire, Maratha Empire, etc. Classical Indian texts on archery in particular, and martial arts in general are known as Dhanurveda.

Chola territories during Rajendra Chola I, c. 1030

India has a maritime history dating back to 5,000 years.^{[11][12][13][14]} The first ^[15][16] 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 compass, Matsya yantra was used for navigation in the fourth and fifth century AD.

The earliest known reference to an organization 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) ^[8]. 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 neighboring 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, Chola, Vijayanagara, Kalinga, Maratha and Mughal empires .^[17] 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 Pal and Qalbat participated.^[18] The Maratha Kanhoji Angre and Kunjali Marakkar, the Naval chief of Saamoothiri were two notable naval chiefs of the period.

1857 to 1947 era

Sailors of the Indian Navy breaching the Delhi gates during the Indian struggle of freedom 1857

The British Indian Navy was established by the British while India was a colony. The first Indian to be granted a commission was Sub Lieutenant D.N Mukherji who joined the Royal Indian Marine as an engineer officer in 1928. Indian sailors started a rebellion also known as The Royal Indian Navy mutiny, in 1946 on board ships and shore establishments which spread all over India. A total of 78 ships, 20 shore establishments and 20,000 sailors were involved in the rebellion. When India became a republic on 26 January 1950, it became known as the Indian Navy, and its vessels 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.

Structure

Dr.Manmohan Singh current Prime Minister of the Republic of India.

The headquarters of the Indian Armed Forces is in New Delhi, the capital city of India. The President of India serves as the de jure commander-in-chief of the armed forces^[19] while the de facto 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 the responsibilities of countering insurgency and ensuring external security of India.

Command organisation

Gen V K Singh is the head of army Chiefs panel, Admiral Nirmal Kumar Verma is the head of navy Chiefs panel and Air Chief Marshal Pradeep Vasant Naik is the head of air foces Chiefs panel.^[20] The Indian armed force are split into different groups based on their region of operation. The Indian Army is administratively divided into 7 tactical commands, each under the control of different Lieutenant Generals.The Indian Air Force is divided into five operational and two functional commands. Each Command is headed by an Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief with the rank of Air Marshal. The Indian Navy operates four Commands. Each Command is headed by a Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief in the rank of Vice Admiral.The Indian Coast Guard operations are split into 4 regions, each region is headed by an Inspector General or a Deputy Inspector General. In BSF, there are 13 Frontier under which Sector Head Quarters (SHQ) function headed by a DIG each.

Doctrine

The Armed Forces have six main tasks:^[21]

1. To assert the territorial integrity of India.
2. To defend the country if attacked by a foreign nation.
3. To send own amphibious warfare equipment to take the battle to enemy shores.^[22]
4. Cold Start which means Indian Armed Forces being able to quickly mobilise and take offensive actions without crossing the enemy's nuclear-use threshold.
5. To support the civil community in case of disasters (e.g. flooding).
6. To deploy forces to international peace support operations.

Personnel

Soldiers of the Sikh Light Infantry

As of 2006

Component	Active[1]	Reserve[1]
Indian Army	1,325,000	1,155,000
Indian Navy	55,000
Indian Air Force	170,000
Indian Coast Guard	19,741
Paramilitary forces of India	1,293,000

Service branches

Indian Army

124 Arjun MK1 tanks are in service with the Indian Army.

The Indian Army is the world's second largest army in terms of military personnel, and the largest in terms of active manpower. 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. 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 force is headed by the Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army, currently General V K 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)). Late General S.H.F.J. Manekshaw and the late General K.M. Cariappa are the only two officers who have attained this rank.

Para Commando of the Indian Army.

The Indian Army has seen military action during the First Kashmir War, Operation Polo, the Sino-Indian War, the Second Kashmir War, the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, the Sri Lankan Civil War and the Kargil War. 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. Currently, the Indian Army is seeking to massively modernize its equipment through various procurement programs. In addition, it has also embarked on an infantry modernization program known as Futuristic Infantry Soldier As a System (F-INSAS).

Indian Navy

INS Shivalik the first indigenous stealth ship of the Indian navy.

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 third largest navy.^[23]

The Indian Navy currently operates more than 155 vessels, including the aircraft carrier INS Viraat. In recent years, India has started many ambitious projects to bolster its maritime capabilities including efforts to acquire ships from foreign countries.

In recent years, the Indian Navy has undergone extensive modernization and expansion with an intention to increase its capabilities as a recognized blue-water navy.^[24][25] It is fairly advanced in terms of technology and is in control of one of two Asian aircraft carriers. Two more aircraft carriers are currently being produced. The ships of the Indian Navy are of Indian and foreign origin.^[26] In addition, three ballistic missile submarine are to enter service by 2010 end. It is also only one of the six navies in the world that has nuclear capabilities. Others include US, Russia, China, France and the UK. In addition it is in command of the BrahMos which is the fastest cruise missile in the world with speeds of 2.8 Mach.

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

In its maritime doctrine, the Indian Navy establishes its role in providing support to maritime neighbors 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. 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.

Indian Navy is expected to spend about US$40 billion on military modernization from 2008 to 2013.^[27] The modernization program includes INS Vikramaditya, Vikrant class aircraft carrier, Lease of Akula-II class submarine, Arihant class nuclear-powered submarines, Shivalik class frigate, Kolkata class destroyer, Scorpène class submarine, Improved Talwar class frigate and eight P-8 Poseidon .^[28][29]

Indian Air Force

IAF engineers conduct post-flight maintenance on Su-30 MKI fighters following a Red Flag mission in Nevada.

With a strength of approximately 170,000 personnel, and 1,309 aircraft in active service, the Indian Air Force is the fourth largest air force in the world.^[30][31] In recent years, the IAF has undertaken an ambitious expansion and modernization program and is increasingly used for India's power projection beyond South Asia. Historically, the IAF has generally relied on Soviet, British, Israeli and French military craft and technology to support its growth. In recent times however, India has manufactured its own aircraft, including the HAL Tejas, a 4th generation fighter, and the HAL Dhruv, a multi-role helicopter, which has been exported to several countries, including Israel, Burma, Nepal and Ecuador. India also maintains UAV squadrons which can be used to carry out ground attacks and aerial surveillance.

India is testing its own long range BVR air to air missile named Astra^[32] and also building a Medium Altitude Long Endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) called Rustom .^[33] India and Russia are building number of next generation aircraft like 5th generation stealth aircraft called Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft^[34] and medium-lift military transport aircraft called Multirole Transport Aircraft.^[35]

Indian Coast Guard

HAL Dhruv naval variant.

The Indian Coast Guard is the maritime Military Force created to guard Republic of India's vast coastline. It was created on 18 August 1978 as an independent entity as per the Coast Guard Act. its primary objective is to guard India's vast coastline and operates under the effective control of the Ministry of Defense.

The coast guard works closely with the Indian Navy and the Indian Customs Department, and is usually headed by a naval officer of the rank of Vice-Admiral. India's coast guard has a large number of fast craft including hovercrafts and hydrofoils. They patrol the seas and river mouths. The coast guard has performed a number of commendable tasks of rescuing distressed personnel. It has also apprehended pirates on high seas and cleaned up oil spills. Heavy patrolling of sensitive areas such as Karnataka, Gujarat, West Bengal and Mumbai have resulted in the nabbing of a large number of smugglers and illegal immigrants.

Agencies of the MoHA

All Paramilitary Forces of India (PMF) except Indian Coast Guard are under the administration of the Home Affairs (MoHA) which aid the operations of the law enforcement agencies of India and the Indian Armed Forces. With over a million personnel in active service, the PMF is one of the world's largest paramilitary organizations.

BSF Contingent

1. The Border Security Force (BSF) is a border patrol agency of the Government of India. BSF is the only paramilitary force which has its own Air Wing, Water Wing and Artillery Regiments which extend support to the General Duty Battalions in their operations during peace/war.
2. The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) is an Indian paramilitary force conceived on October 24, 1962 for security along the India's border with the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, border covering 2115 kilometers.The border posts manned by ITBP are exposed to high velocity storms, snow blizzards, avalanches, and landslides, besides the hazards of high altitude and extreme cold, where temperature dips up to minus 40 degree Celsius. ITBP conducts Long Range and Short Range patrols to keep an effective vigil on inaccessible and unmanned areas on the border.
3. The Assam Rifles are one of the Paramilitary forces of India. In times of war they can also be used as a combat force to secure rear areas if needed.
4. The Central Reserve Police Force also known as CRPF is a paramilitary security agency/Force functioning under the aegis of Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA), Government of India. The CRPF's primary role lies in assisting the State/Union Territories in police operations to maintain law and order and contain insurgency. It came into existence as the Crown Representative's Police on 27 July 1939. After Indian Independence, it became the Central Reserve Police Force on enactment of the CRPF Act on 28 December 1949.
5. The National Security Guard is a Special Response Unit in India that has primarily been utilized for counter-terrorism activities and was created by the Cabinet Secretariat under the National Security Guard Act of the Indian Parliament in 1986. The NSG has a total personnel strength of about 14,500. The NSG is modelled on Germany's GSG-9 .^[36][37] It is a task-oriented force and has two complementary elements in the form of the Special Action Group (SAG) and the Special Ranger Groups (SRG). All the personnel are on deputation from Indian Armed Forces.
6. The Central Industrial Security Force (established in its present form: June 15, 1983) is a paramilitary security force in India.
   

   CISF Security Check Point
   It was set up under an act of Parliament on March 10, 1969 with a strength of 2,800. CISF was subsequently made an armed force of the Union of India by another act of Parliament passed on June 15, 1983. Its current strength is 105,000.The strength will be raised to 145,000 by 2–3 years.CISF is the largest industrial security force in the world. It is directly under the federal Ministry of Home Affairs and its headquarters are at New Delhi. The CISF provides security cover to 269 industrial units located all over India. Industrial Sectors like Atomic Power Plants, Space Installations, Defence Production Units, Mints, Oil Fields and Refineries, Major Ports, Heavy Engineering, Steel Plants, Barrages, Fertilizer units, Airports and Hydro electric/thermal power plants, Indian border, Plants producing Indian currency are protected by CISF. Most of these installations are located in difficult terrains of the country with harsh climatic conditions.
7. The Railway Protection Force (RPF) is an Indian Paramilitary Force charged with protecting the Indian Railways.
8. The Indian Home Guard is an Indian paramilitary force which is tasked as an auxiliary to the Indian Police. The Home Guards Organization was reorganised in India in 1962 after the Sino-Indian War with the People's Republic of China, though it existed in smaller units individually in some places.
9. The Sashastra Seema Bal or simply known as SSB, is one of India's paramilitary forces and is currently under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India. It was formerly known as the Special Service Bureau.
10. 

    SSF commandos training in Jungle warfare.
    The Special Frontier Force (SFF) is a paramilitary unit of India. It was conceived in the post Sino-Indian war period as a guerrilla force composed mainly of Tibetan refugees whose main goal was to conduct covert operations behind Chinese lines in case of another war between the People's Republic of China and India. Based in Chakrata, Uttarakhand, SFF is also known as the Establishment 22. The force was put under the direct supervision of the Intelligence Bureau, and later, the Research and Analysis Wing, India's external intelligence agency.
11. The Rashtriya Rifles is a counter-insurgency force in India. It is a paramilitary force deployed in Jammu and Kashmir.
12. The Defence Security Corps (DSC), previously known as Defence Department Constabulary Centre, was founded on 25 April 1947 at Mathura in Uttar Pradesh state in north India. The Defence Security Corps, with 31,000 personnel, provides security at Defence Ministry sites. The role of Defence Security Corps is to ensure the protection and security of designated Defence Installations against sabotage and pilferage. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and the Defence Security Corps (DSC) provide security at India's nuclear laboratories and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) establishments, respectively. The CISF is purely a civilian Central government security force and though the DSC is a force under the Ministry of Defence and it comprises mainly superannuated soldiers who are re-employed for a few years

Nuclear Command Authority

Agni missile range.

Agni-II

India possesses an arsenal of nuclear weapons and maintains a no-first use, non-use against non-nuclear nations and a credible nuclear deterrence policy against nuclear adversaries. India's nuclear missiles include the Prithvi, the Agni, the Shaurya, Sagarika, Dhanush, and others. India has long range strategic bombers like the Tupolev Tu-22 M3 and Tupolev Tu-142 as well as fighter jets like Sukhoi Su-30MKI,^[38] Dassault Mirage 2000 ,^[39] MiG-29^[40] and HAL Tejas capable of being armed with nuclear tipped bombs and missiles. Since India doesn't have a nuclear first use against an adversary, it becomes important to protect from a first strike. Presently, this protection is provided by the two layered Anti-ballistic missile defense system. The first test of Agni-V, which is a MIRVed ICBM is expected in the year 2010. India's Strategic Nuclear Command controls its land-based nuclear warheads, while the Navy controls the ship and in future submarine based missiles and the Air Force the air based warheads. India's nuclear warheads are deployed in four areas:

1. Ship based mobile, like Dhanush.(operational)
2. Land-based mobile, like Agni.(operational)
3. Submarine based, like Sagarika.(under deployment)
4. Air-based warheads of the Indian Air Forces' strategic bomber force(operational)

Indian Ballistic Missile Defense Program

The Indian Ballistic Missile Defense Program is an initiative to develop and deploy a multi-layered Ballistic missile defense system to protect India from missile attacks.^[41][42]

Development

Phase 1

Launching of Advanced Air Defense (AAD) missile

Development of ABM System began in 1999. Around 40 public and private Companies were involved in the development of ABM System. They include Bharat Electronics Ltd and Bharat Dynamics Ltd, Astra Microwave, ASL, Larsen & Toubro, Vem Technologies Private Limited and KelTech. Development of LRTR (Long Range Tracking Radar) and MFCR (Multi-function Fire Control Radar) was lead by Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (ERDE).^[43][44]

For the AAD Missile System, Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) developed the mission control software. Research Centre, Imarat (RCI) developed navigation, electromechanical actuation systems and Active Radar Seeker. Advanced System Laboratory (ASL) provided the motors, jet vanes and structures for the two missiles. High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) supplied the propellants for the missile.^[44]

Phase 2

• Two new anti-ballistic missiles that can intercept IRBM/ICBMs are being developed. These high speed missiles (AD-1 and AD-2) are being developed to intercept ballistic missiles with the range of 5000 km.^[45] The test trials of these two systems is expected to take place in 2011.^[46] The new missile will be similar the THAAD missile deployed by the U.S.A. These missiles will have to travel at hypersonic speeds and will require radars with scan capability of over 1500 kilometers to successfully intercept the target.^[47]
• India is also planning to develop a laser based weapon system as part of its Ballistic Missile Defence to intercept and destroy missiles soon after they are launched towards the country. DRDO's Air Defence Programme Director V K Saraswat says its ideal to destroy a ballistic missile carrying nuclear or conventional warhead in its boost phase. Saraswat further added that it will take another 10–15 years for the premier defence research institute to make it usable on the ground.^[48]

Security pacts and Overseas Bases

India and Russia share an extensive economic, defence and technological relationship.^[49] Shown here is President Pratibha Patil with President Dmitry Medvedev.

In 1950 Indo-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship, India made obligation to actively assist Nepal in national defence and military preparedness, and made both nations not to tolerate threats to each others security.^[50][51] In 1958, the then-Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru visited Bhutan and reiterated India's support for Bhutan's independence and later declared in the Indian Parliament that any aggression against Bhutan would be seen as aggression against India.^[52] India also operates the Farkhor Air Base in Tajikistan.India started the process to bring the island country Maldives into India's security grid.^[53] India can use Iranian bases for war with Pakistan.^[54][55] India is also one of three countries with whom Japan has a security pact, the other being Australia and the United States.^[56] India and Russia have a military cooperation pact until 2010 which is likely to be extended or renewed.^[57] In 1951,India and Burma signed a Treaty of Friendship in New Delhi. Article II of the treaty stipulated that "(T)here shall be everlasting peace and unalterable friendship between the two States who shall ever strive to strengthen and develop further the cordial relations existing between the peoples of the two countries".^[58] India had signed a pact to develop ports in Myanmar and various bilateral issues, including economic cooperation, connectivity, security and energy.^[59] India and Israel have increased cooperation in military and intelligence ventures since the establishment of diplomatic relations. While India and Israel were officially "rivals" during the Cold War, the fall of the Soviet Union and the rise of Islamic terrorism in both countries have generated a solid strategic alliance.^[60] India has maritime security arrangement in place with Oman and Qatar.^[61] In 2008, a landmark defense pact was signed, under which India committed its military assets to protect "Qatar from external threats".^[62]

Budget

Military spending of the world

India has the world's 10th largest defense budget. In 2009, India's official military budget stood at $32.7 billion.^[63] In 2004, the GlobalSecurity.org estimated India's budget to be around $100 billion in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP).^[64] According to Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, India's military budget (PPP) stood at $72.7 billion in 2007.^[65] A major portion of India's current defense budget is devoted to the ambitious modernization program of the country's armed forces. Between 2007 and 2012, India is expected to spend about $50 billion on the procurement of new weapons.^[66] India boosted defence spending by 21% in 2009.^[67]

Gallantry awards

The India Gate is the largest war memorial in India

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.

Ex Servicemen (ESM)

According to military sources, more than 55,000 armed forces personnel retire from the army every year, most of them at a relatively younger age. A total of 1,567,390 ex servicemen are registered with the Indian Army, majority of them hailing from UP (17.35%), Punjab (12.23%), Haryana (10.57%), Maharashtra (9.18%), Kerala (8.16%), TN (6.58%), Rajastan (6.42%) and HP (5%). Many of them are re-employed in various Central government sectors.^[68]

Future

Analysis of the Central Intelligence Agency indicates that India is projected to possess the fourth most capable concentration of power by 2015.^[69] According to a report published by the US Congress, India is the developing world's leading arms purchaser.^[70]

Recruitment and training

Soldiers from the 4th Rajput Infantry Battalion of the Indian Army handling INSAS rifles during a training mission.

Recruitment is through four military related academies. These include the National Defence Academy, Pune, Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala, Air Force Academy, Hyderabad and Officers Training Academy, Chennai. For entrance, one must display that they are both physically and mentally fit to be in the military by written examinations, physicial endurance tests and passing medical fitness tests. The complete list of institutions training Indian army were listed in Military academies in India section.

Indian Peace Keeping And Anti-piracy Mission

In November 2008 Indian navy warship destroyed a suspected Somali pirate vessel after it came under attack in the Gulf of Aden. India is regular contributor to United Nations Peacekeeping mission and were other peacekeeping Mission.The troop-contributing to UN peacekeeping operations as of March 2007 were 9,471.^[71] It also suffered 127 soldier deaths while serving on peacekeeping missions.^[72] India also provided army contingent performing a peacekeeping operation in Sri Lanka between 1987 and 1990 as Indian Peace Keeping Force and In November 1998, India also helped restore government of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom in Maldives under Operation Cactus.

Anti-piracy Mission

India sought to augment its naval force in the Gulf of Aden by deploying the larger INS Mysore to patrol the area. Somalia also added India to its list of states, including the U.S. and France, who are permitted to enter its territorial waters, extending up to 12 nautical miles (22 km; 14 mi) from the coastline, in an effort to check piracy.^[73] An Indian naval official confirmed receipt of a letter acceding to India's prerogative to check such piracy. "We had put up a request before the Somali government to play a greater role in suppressing piracy in the Gulf of Aden in view of the United Nations resolution. The TFG government gave its nod recently."^[74] India also expressed consideration to deploy up to four more warships in the region.^[75][76] And in response increased activity of the INS Tabar.

Relief Operation of IAF

Indian Air Force provides regular relief operation for food and medical facility around the World by its Cargo aircraft most notably Ilyushin Il-76.The most recent relief operation of IAF was in Kyrgyzstan.^[77][78]

IAF Efforts In Eclipse Study

The Indian Air Force successfully undertook sorties to help Indian scientists study the total solar eclipse that took place on July 23. Two separate missions from Agra and Gwalior were flown along the path of the moon's shadow, a mission that was deemed hugely successful by scientists associated with the experiment. While one AN-32 transport aircraft carrying scientific equipment, cameras and scientists that took off from Agra landed back after a three-hour flight, a Mirage-2000 trainer from Gwalior took spectacular images of the celestial spectacle from 40,000 feet. With weather being clear at the altitudes and coordinates planned by the IAF pilots, both AN-32 and Mirage-2000 pilots were able to accomplish the mission successfully.^[79]

See also

• Equipment of the Indian Army
• Indian Naval Air Arm
• Ships of the Indian Navy
• Weapon systems of the Indian Navy
• India and weapons of mass destruction
• List of aircraft of the Indian Air Force
• List of regiments of the Indian Army
• Military operations of India
• List of missiles
• Defence Research and Development Organisation
• Indian Space Research Organisation

References

^ Does not include members of the Indian Police Service

Further reading

• CIA World Factbook 2010: India
• Militarism in India: The Army and Civil Society in Consensus- by A. Kundu

External links

• The Irrelevance of India's Rise as a Military Power- video of lecture by Stephen P. Cohen, Brookings Institution, hosted by the Program in Arms Control, Disarmament, and International Security (ACDIS), University of Illinois, October 15, 2009
• xisf.org- Website of XISF Foundation, focussed on welfare of ex-services personnel from Indian Military
• Indian-Military.org- Website dedicated to Indian Military
• 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
• http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/mil_arm_for_per-military-armed-forces-personnel
• Armed forces, a forgotten lot: A debate by NDTV.com.

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