Indian Army
| Indian Army | |
|---|---|
 Ensign of the Indian Army | |
| Founded | 26 January 1950(in current form)
1 April 1895(asBritish Indian Army) |
| Country |  India |
| Type | Army |
| Role | Land warfare |
| Size |
|
| Part of |  Indian Armed Forces |
| Headquarters | Integrated Defence Headquarters,Ministry of Defence,New Delhi |
| Motto(s) | Sevā Paramo Dharmaḥ(ISO) transl. "Service Before Self" |
| Colours | Gold, red and black |
| March |
|
| Anniversaries | Army Day:15 January |
| Engagements | |
| Website | indianarmy.nic.in |
| Commanders | |
| Commander-in-Chief | PresidentDroupadi Murmu |
| Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) |  GeneralUpendra Dwivedi |
| Vice Chief of the Army Staff (VCOAS) |  Lieutenant GeneralN. S. Raja Subramani |
| Deputy Chief of the Army Staff (DCOAS) | Lieutenant GeneralTarun Kumar Aich |
| Notable commanders | |
| Insignia | |
| Flag |  |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Attack helicopter | HAL Rudra,HAL Prachand |
| Utility helicopter | HAL Dhruv,HAL Chetak,HAL Cheetah |
TheIndian Armyis theland-based branchand largest component of theIndian Armed Forces.ThePresident of Indiais theSupreme Commanderof the Indian Army,[3]and its professional head is theChief of Army Staff(COAS). TheIndian Armywas established on 1 April 1895 alongside the long established presidency armies of theEast India Company,which too were absorbed into it in 1903. Some princely states maintained their own armies which formed theImperial Service Troopswhich, along with the Indian Army formed the land component of the Armed Forces of the Crown of India, responsible for the defence of the Indian Empire.[4][5]The Imperial Service Troops were merged into the Indian Army afterindependence.The units and regiments of the Indian Army have diverse histories and have participated in several battles and campaigns around the world, earning manybattle and theatre honoursbefore and after Independence.[6]
The primary mission of the Indian Army is to ensure national security and national unity, to defend the nation from external aggression and internal threats, and to maintain peace and security withinits borders.It conducts humanitarian rescue operations during natural calamities and other disturbances, such asOperation Surya Hope,and can also be requisitioned by the government to cope with internal threats. It is a major component of national power, alongside theIndian Navyand theIndian Air Force.[7]The independent Indian army has been involved infour warswith neighbouringPakistanand one withChina.Other major operations undertaken by the army includeOperation Vijay,Operation Meghdoot,andOperation Cactus.The army has conducted large peacetime exercises such asOperation Brasstacksand Exercise Shoorveer, and it has also been an active participant in numerousUnited Nations peacekeeping missions.The Indian Army was a major force in theFirstandSecond World Wars,particularly in theWestern Frontand theMiddle Eastern theatreduringWorld War I,and theSouth-East Asian Theatreand theEast AfricanandNorth African campaignsduringWorld War II.
The Indian Army is operationally and geographically divided intoseven commands,with the basic field formation being adivision.Below the division level arepermanent regimentsthat are responsible for their own recruiting and training. The army is anall-volunteer forceand comprises more than 80% of the country's active defence personnel. It is thelargest standing army in the world,[8]with 1,237,117[9][10]active troops and 960,000 reserve troops.[11][12]The army has embarked on an infantry modernisation program known as Futuristic Infantry Soldier As a System (F-INSAS), and is also upgrading and acquiring new assets for its armoured, artillery, and aviation branches.[13][14][15]
History
Until theindependence of India,the "Indian Army" was a British-commanded force defined as "the force recruited locally and permanently based in India, together with its expatriate British officers";[16]the "British Army in India" referred to British Army units posted to India for a tour of duty. The "Army of India" meant the combined Indian Army and the British Army in India.
Background
In 1776, a Military Department was created within the government of theEast India CompanyatCalcutta.Its main function was to record orders that were issued to the army by various departments of the East India Company for the territories under its control.[17]
With the Charter Act of 1833, the Secretariat of the government of the East India Company was reorganised into four departments, including a Military Department. The army in the presidencies ofBengal,BombayandMadrasfunctioned as respective Presidency Armies until 1 April 1895, when they were unified into a single force known as theIndian Army.[18][19][20][21]For administrative convenience, it was divided into four commands, namely Punjab (including the North West Frontier), Bengal, Madras (including Burma), and Bombay (including Sind, Quetta and Aden).[22]
The Indian Army was a critical force for maintaining the primacy of theBritish Empire,both in India and throughout the world. Besides maintaining internal security,[5]the Army fought in many other theatres:ThirdAnglo-Afghan war; theBoxer Rebellionin China; inAbyssiniaand in theFirstandSecond World Wars.
World wars
The Kitchener Reforms brought the British Army to a new century.[23]In the 20th century, the Indian Army was a crucial adjunct to the forces of the British Empire in bothworld wars.1.3 million Indian soldiers served inWorld War I(1914–1918) with theAllies,in which 74,187 Indian troops were killed or missing in action.[24]In 1915 there was amutinyby Indian soldiers in Singapore. The United Kingdom made promises of self-governance to theIndian National Congressin return for its support but reneged on them after the war, following which theIndian Independence movementgained strength.
The "Indianisation"of the Indian Army began with the formation of thePrince of Wales Royal Indian Military Collegeat Dehradun, in March 1912, to provide education to the scions of aristocratic and well-to-do Indian families and to prepare selected Indian boys for admission into theRoyal Military College, Sandhurst.Cadets were given a King's commission, after passing out, and were posted to one of theeight unitsselected for Indianisation. Because of the slow pace of Indianisation, with just 69 officers being commissioned between 1918 and 1932, political pressure was applied, leading to the formation of theIndian Military Academyin 1932 and greater numbers of officers of Indian origin being commissioned.[25]On the eve ofWorld War II,the officer corps consisted of roughly 500 Indians holding regular commissions against approximately 3,000 British officers.[26]
InWorld War IIIndian soldiers fought alongside theAllies.In 1939, British officials had no plan for expansion and training of Indian forces, which comprised about 130,000 men (in addition there were 44,000 men in British units in India in 1939), whose mission was internal security and defence against a possibleSovietthreat through Afghanistan. As the war progressed, the size and role of the Indian Army expanded dramatically, and troops were sent to battlefronts as soon as possible. The most serious problem was the lack of equipment.[27]Indian units served in Burma, wherein 1944–45, five Indian divisions were engaged along with one British and three African divisions. Even larger numbers operated in the Middle East. Some 87,000 Indian soldiers died in the war. By the end of the war, it had become the largestvolunteer armyin history, rising to over 2.5 million men in August 1945.[28][29]
In theAfrican and Middle East campaigns,captured Indian troops were given a choice to join theGerman Army,to eventually "liberate" India from Britain, instead of being sent toPOW camps.These men, along with Indian students who were inGermanywhen the war broke out, made up what was called theFree India Legion.They were originally intended as pathfinders for German forces in Asia but were soon sent to help guard theAtlantic Wall.Few who were part of the Free India Legion ever saw any combat, and very few were ever stationed outside Europe. At its height, the Free India Legion had over 3,000 troops in its ranks.[30]
Indian POWs also joined theIndian National Army,which was allied with theEmpire of Japan.It was raised by a former colonel of the Indian Army, General Mohan Singh, but was later led bySubhas Chandra BoseandRash Bihari Bose.With thefall of Singaporein 1942, about 40,000 Indian soldiers were captured. When given the choice, over 30,000 joined the Indian National Army. Those who refused became POWs and were mostly shipped to New Guinea.[31]After initial success, this army was defeated, along with the Japanese; but it had a huge impact on the Indian independence movement.
Indian independence
Upon thePartition of IndiaandIndian independencein 1947, four of the tenGurkharegiments were transferred to the British Army. The rest of the Indian Army was divided between the newly createdUnion of Indiaand theDominion of Pakistan.ThePunjab Boundary Force,which had been formed to help police Punjab during the partition period, was disbanded.[32]Headquarters Delhi and the East Punjab Command were formed to administer the area.
The departure of virtually all senior British officers following independence, and their replacement by Indian officers, meant many of the latter held acting ranks several ranks above their substantive ones. For instance,S. M. Shrinagesh,the ground-forces commander of Indian forces during the first Indo-Pak War of 1947–49 (and the future third COAS), was first an acting major-general and then an acting lieutenant-general during the conflict while holding the substantive rank of major, and only received a substantive promotion to lieutenant-colonel in August 1949.[33]Gopal Gurunath Bewoor,the future ninth COAS, was an acting colonel at his promotion to substantive major from substantive captain in 1949, while future Lieutenant GeneralK. P. Candethwas an acting brigadier (substantive captain) at the same time.[34]In April 1948, the former Viceroy's Commissioned Officers (VCO) were re-designated Junior Commissioned Officers, while the former King's Commissioned Indian Officers (KCIO) and Indian Commissioned Officers (ICO), along with the former Indian Other Ranks (IOR), were respectively re-designated as Officers and Other Ranks.[35]
Army Dayis celebrated on 15 January every year in India, in recognition ofLieutenant GeneralK. M. Cariappa's taking over as the first "Indian" Chief of the Army Staff and Commander-in-Chief, Indian Army fromGeneralSirRoy Bucher,on 15 January 1949. With effect from 26 January 1950, the date India became a republic, all active-duty Indian Army officers formerly holding the King's Commission were recommissioned and confirmed in their substantive ranks.[36]
Conflicts and operations
First Kashmir War (1947)
Immediately after independence, tensions between India and Pakistan erupted into the first of three full-scale wars between the two nations over the thenprincely stateofKashmir.TheMaharaja of Kashmirwanted to have a standstill position. Since Kashmir was aMuslimmajority state, Pakistan wanted to make Kashmir a Pakistani territory. As a result, Pakistan invaded Kashmir on 22 October 1947, causingMaharaja Hari Singhto look to India, specifically toLord Mountbatten of Burma,the governor-general, for help. He signed theInstrument of Accessionto India on 26 October 1947. Indian troops were airlifted to Srinagar from dawn on 27 October.[37]This contingent includedGeneral Thimayyawho distinguished himself in the operation and in the 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. Pakistan suffered significant losses. Its forces were stopped on the line formed which is now called theLine of Control(LOC).[citation needed]
An uneasy peace, sponsored by the UN, returned by the end of 1948, with Indian and Pakistani soldiers facing each other across the Line of Control, which has since divided Indian-held Kashmir from that part held by Pakistan. SeveralUN Security Council resolutionswere passed, withResolution 47calling for a plebiscite to be held in Kashmir to determine accession to India or Pakistan, only after Pakistan withdrew its army from Kashmir.[38]A precondition to the resolution was for Pakistan and India to return to astate of "as was" before the conflict.Pakistan would withdraw all tribesmen and Pakistani nationals brought in to fight in Kashmir. Pakistan refused to pull back, and there could be no further dialogue on fulfilling the UN resolution.[39][38]Tensions between India and Pakistan, largely over Kashmir, have never been eliminated.
Annexation of Hyderabad (1948)
After the partition of India,Hyderabad State,a princely state under the rule of theNizam of Hyderabad,chose to remain independent. The ensuing stand-off between theGovernment of Indiaand the Nizam ended on 12 September 1948, when India's then Deputy Prime MinisterSardar Vallabhbhai Patelordered Indian troops to secure Hyderabad State. During five days of fighting, the Indian Army, backed by anIndian Air Forcesquadron ofHawker Tempestaircraft, routed the Hyderabad State forces. Five Indian Army infantry battalions and one armoured squadron were engaged in the operation. The following day, Hyderabad was proclaimed part of India. Major GeneralJoyanto Nath Chaudhuri,who led the operation, and accepted the surrender of the Nizam's forces on 18 September 1948, was appointed the military governor of Hyderabad, to restore law and order, and served until 1949.
Assistance during the Korean War (1950–1953)
During the Korean War, although deciding against sending combat forces, India sent its 60th Parachute Field Ambulance unit to aid the UN troops fighting against the North Korean invasion of South Korea, as part of the1st Commonwealth Division.[40]In the aftermath of the war, an Indian infantry brigade formed the Custodian Force of India, some of whose soldiers were also part of theNeutral Nations Repatriation Commission,which assisted in the exchange of prisoners of war and was headed by Lieutenant GeneralK. S. Thimayya.[41]
Annexation of Goa, Daman and Diu (1961)
Even though the British and French vacated all their colonial possessions in theIndian subcontinent,Portugalrefused to relinquish control of its colonies ofGoa,Daman, and Diu.After repeated attempts by India to negotiate were spurned by Portuguese prime minister and dictator,António de Oliveira Salazar,on 12 December 1961 India launchedOperation Vijayto capture the Portuguese colonies, which was accomplished by small contingents of Indian troops. After a brief conflict that lasted twenty-six hours—during which 31 Portuguese soldiers were killed, thePortuguese NavyfrigateNRP Afonso de Albuquerquewas destroyed, and over 3,000 Portuguese were captured—Portuguese GeneralManuel António Vassalo e Silvasurrendered to Major General Kunhiraman Palat Kandoth of the Indian Army. Goa, Daman, and Diu became a part of the Republic of India.
Sino-Indian War (1962)
The cause of this war was a dispute over the sovereignty of the widely separatedAksai Chinand Arunachal Pradesh border regions. Aksai Chin, claimed by India as part of Kashmir, and by China as 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 Indian and Chinese forces broke out as India insisted on the disputedMcMahon Linebeing regarded as the international border between the two countries. Chinese troops claimed not to have retaliated to the cross-border firing by Indian troops, despite sustaining losses.[42]China's suspicion of India's involvement inTibetcreated more rifts between the two countries.[43]
In 1962, the Indian Army was ordered to move to theThag La ridge,located near the border between Bhutan andArunachal Pradeshand about 5 kilometres (3 miles) north of the disputed McMahon Line. Meanwhile, Chinese troops had also made incursions into Indian-held territory, and tensions between the two reached a new high when Indian forces discovered the road constructed by China in Aksai Chin. After a series of failed negotiations, thePeople's Liberation Armyattacked Indian Army positions on the Thag La ridge. This move by China caught India by surprise, and on 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 mobilise the Indian Air Force in vast numbers, gave China a crucial tactical and strategic advantage over India. On 20 October, Chinese soldiers attacked India from both the northwest and northeast; and captured large 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 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 from the United States, while China stated that it still held territory it had staked a claim on. The dividing line between the Indian and Chinese forces was named theLine of Actual Control.
The poor decisions made by India's military commanders, and the political leadership, raised several questions. TheHenderson-Brooks and Bhagat committeewas soon set up by the government of India to determine the causes of the poor performance of the Indian Army. Its report criticised the decision not to allow the Indian Air Force to target Chinese transport lines, out of fear of a Chinese aerial counterattack on Indian civilian areas. Much of the blame was placed on the then–defence minister,Krishna Menon,who resigned from his post soon after the war ended. Despite frequent calls for its release, the Henderson-Brooks report remains classified.[44]Neville Maxwellhas written an account of the war.[45]
Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
A second confrontation with Pakistan took place in 1965. Although the war is described as inconclusive, India had the better of the war and was the clear winner in tactical and strategic terms.[46][47][48]Pakistani presidentAyub KhanlaunchedOperation Gibraltarin August 1965, during which Pakistani paramilitary troops infiltrated into Indian-administered Kashmir and attempted to ignite anti-India agitation inJammu and Kashmir.Pakistani leaders believed that India, which was still recovering from theSino-Indian War,would be unable to deal with a military thrust and a Kashmiri rebellion. India reacted swiftly and launched a counter-offensive against Pakistan. In reply, on 1 September Pakistan launchedOperation Grand Slam,invading India's Chamb-Jaurian sector. In retaliation, the Indian Army launched a major offensive all along its border with Pakistan, with Lahore as its prime target.
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 an offensive by Pakistan's 1st Armoured Division was blunted at theBattle of Asal Uttar,which took place on 10 September near Khemkaran.[49]The biggest tank battle of the war was theBattle of Chawinda,the largest tank battle in history afterWorld War II.Pakistan's defeat at theBattle of Asal Uttarhastened the end of the conflict.[49]
At the time of the ceasefire declaration, India reported casualties of about 3,000. On the other hand, it was estimated that more than 3,800 Pakistani soldiers were killed in the conflict.[50][51][52]About 200–300 Pakistani tanks were either destroyed or captured by India. India lost a total of 150-190 tanks during the conflict.[49][53]The decision to return to pre-war positions, following theTashkent Declaration,caused an outcry in New Delhi. It was widely believed that India's decision to accept the ceasefire was due to political factors, not military, since it was facing considerable pressure from theUnited Statesand theUnited Nationsto cease hostilities.[54]
1967 Sino-Indian conflict
The 1967 Sino-Indian skirmish, also known as theCho La incident,was amilitary conflictbetween Indian troops and members of theChinesePeople's Liberation Armywho, on 1 October 1967, invadedSikkim,which was then a protectorate of India. On 10 October, both sides clashed again. Defence ministerSardar Swaran Singhassured the Indian people that the government was taking care of developments along the border. Indian losses were 88 killed, and 163 wounded, while Chinese casualties were 300 killed and 450 wounded inNathula,and 40 in Chola.[55]The Chinese Army left Sikkim after this defeat.[56][57][58]
Operation against the Naxalites during 1971
Under Prime MinisterIndira Gandhi,during thepresident's rulein 1971, the Indian Army and theIndian policelaunchedOperation Steeplechase,a gigantic "counter-insurgency" operation against theNaxalites,which resulted in the death of hundreds of Naxalites and the imprisonment of more than 20,000 suspects and cadres, including senior leaders.[59]The army was also assisted by abrigadeofpara commandosand theIndian paramilitary.The operation was organised in October 1969, and Lieutenant GeneralJ.F.R. Jacobwas told byGovind Narain,theHome Secretary,that "there should be no publicity and no records". Jacob's request to be presented with written orders was also refused by the then Army ChiefSam Manekshaw.[60]
Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971
An independence movement broke out inEast Pakistanwhich wascrushedby Pakistani forces. Due to large-scaleatrocitiescommitted against them, thousands ofBengalistook refuge in neighbouring India causing a major refugee crisis there. In early 1971, India declared its full support for the Bengali freedom fighters, known asMukti Bahini,and Indian agents were extensively involved in covert operations to aid them.[citation needed]
On 20 November 1971, the Indian Army moved 14 Punjab Battalion of the45th Cavalryregiment, into Garibpur, a strategically important town in East Pakistan, near India's border, and successfullycaptured it.The following day, moreclashestook place between Indian and Pakistani forces. Wary of India's growing involvement in the Bengali rebellion, thePakistan Air Force(PAF) launched a preemptive strike on 10 Indian air bases—atSrinagar,Jammu,Pathankot,Amritsar,Agra,Adampur,Jodhpur,Jaisalmer,Uttarlai,andSirsa—at 17:45 hours on 3 December. However, this aerial offensive failed to accomplish its objectives and gave India an excuse to declare a full-scale war against Pakistan the same day. By midnight, the Indian Army, accompanied by theIndian Air Force,launched a major three-pronged assault into East Pakistan. The Indian Army won several battles on the eastern front including the decisiveBattle of Hilli.The operation also included a battalion-level airborne operation on Tangail, which resulted in the capitulation of all resistance within five days.[61]India's massive early gains were attributed largely to the speed and flexibility with which Indian armoured divisions moved across East Pakistan.[62]
Pakistan launched a counterattack against India on the western front. On 4 December 1971, A Company of the 23rd Battalion of India'sPunjab Regimentintercepted the Pakistani 51st Infantry Brigade near Ramgarh, Rajasthan. TheBattle of Longewalaensued, during which A Company, though outnumbered, thwarted the Pakistani advance until the Indian Air Force directed its fighters to engage the Pakistani tanks. By the time the battle had ended, 38 Pakistani tanks and 100 armoured vehicles were either destroyed or abandoned. About 200 Pakistani troops were killed in action, while only two Indian soldiers died. Pakistan suffered another major defeat on the western front at theBattle of Basantar,which was fought from 4 to 16 December. During the battle, about 66 Pakistani tanks were destroyed and 40 more were captured. Pakistani forces destroyed only 11 Indian tanks.[63]By 16 December, Pakistan had lost sizeable territory on both the eastern and western fronts.
On 16 December 1971, under the command ofLt. General J. S. Arora,elements of the three corps of the Indian Army that had invaded East Pakistan enteredDhakaas a part of the Indo-Bangladesh allied force and forced Pakistani forces to surrender, one day after the conclusion of theBattle of Basantar.After Pakistan's Lt GeneralA. A. K. Niazisigned theInstrument of Surrender,India, as a part of the allied forces, took more than 90,000 Pakistaniprisoners of war.By the time of the signing, 11,000 Pakistani soldiers had been killed in action, while India suffered 3,500 battle-related deaths.[51]In addition, Pakistan lost 220 tanks during the battle compared to India's 69.[64]
In 1972, theSimla Agreementwas signed between the two countries, although subsequent incidences of heightened tensions have resulted in continued military vigilance on both sides.
Siachen conflict (1984)
TheSiachen Glacier,although a part of the Kashmir region, was not demarcated on maps prepared and exchanged between the two sides in 1947. In consequence, before the 1980s neither India nor Pakistan maintained a permanent military presence in the region. However, beginning in the 1950s, Pakistan began sending mountaineering expeditions to the glacier. By the early 1980s, the Government of Pakistan was granting special expedition permits to mountaineers and United States Army maps showed Siachen as a part of Pakistan.[65]This practice gave rise to the termoropolitics.
India, possibly irked by these developments, launchedOperation Meghdootin April 1984. An entire battalion of theKumaon Regimentwas airlifted to the glacier. Pakistani forces responded quickly, and clashes between the two followed. The Indian Army secured the strategicSia LaandBilafond Lamountain passes, and by 1985 more than 2,600 km2(1,000 sq mi) of territory claimed by Pakistan was under Indian control.[66]The Indian Army continues to control all of the Siachen Glacier and its tributary glaciers. Pakistan has made several unsuccessful attempts to regain control over Siachen. In late 1987, Pakistan mobilised about 8,000 troops and garrisoned them nearKhapalu,aiming to captureBilafond La.[67]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.[68]Further unsuccessful attempts to reclaim positions were launched by Pakistan in 1990, 1995, 1996, and 1999, most notably in Kargil in the latter year.
India continues to maintain a strong military presence in the region, despite inhospitable conditions. The conflict over Siachen is regularly cited as an example ofmountain warfare.[69][70]The highest peak in the Siachen Glacier region,Saltoro Kangri,could be viewed as strategically important for India because of its height, which would enable Indian forces to monitor Pakistani or Chinese movements in the area.[71]Maintaining control over Siachen poses several logistical challenges for the Indian Army. Several infrastructure projects were constructed in the region, including a helipad at an elevation of 6,400 m (21,000 ft).[72]In 2004, the Indian Army was spending an estimated US$2 million a month to support its personnel stationed in the region.[73]
Counter-insurgency activities
The Indian Army has played a crucial role in fightinginsurgentsand terrorists within the nation. The army launchedOperation Blue StarandOperation Woodrosein the 1980s to combatSikhinsurgents. The army, along withsome paramilitary forces,has the prime responsibility of maintaininglaw and orderin the troubledJammu and Kashmirregion, under Northern Command. The Indian Army sent a contingent to Sri Lanka in 1987 as a part of theIndian Peace Keeping Force.[74][75][76]The Indian Army also successfully conductedOperation Golden Birdin 1995, as a counter-insurgency operation in northeast India.[77]
Kargil war (1999)
In 1998, India carried outnuclear tests;and a few days later, Pakistan responded withnuclear testsof its own, giving both countriesnuclear deterrencecapability, although India had tested a hydrogen bomb, which Pakistan lacked. Diplomatic tensions eased after theLahore Summitwas held in 1999. However, the sense of optimism was short-lived. In mid-1999, Pakistani paramilitary forces and Kashmiri insurgents captured the deserted, but strategic, Himalayan heights in theKargil districtof India. These had been vacated by the Indian Army during the onset of the inhospitable winter and were to be reoccupied in spring. The troops that took control of these areas received important support, of both arms and supplies, from Pakistan. Some of the heights under their control, which also included theTiger Hill,overlooked the vitalSrinagar–LehHighway (NH 1A),Batalik,andDras.
Once the scale of the Pakistani incursion was realised, the Indian Army quickly mobilised about 200,000 troops, andOperation Vijaywas launched. However, since the heights were under Pakistani control, India was at a clear strategic disadvantage. From theirobservation posts,the Pakistani forces had a clear line-of-sight to lay downindirect artillery fireon NH 1A, inflicting heavy casualties on the Indians.[78]This was a serious problem for the Indian Army as the highway was its main supply route.[79]Thus, the Indian Army's priority was to recapture peaks near NH 1A. This resulted in Indian troops firsttargeting the Tiger HillandTololing complexin Dras.[80]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 NH 1A, was successfully recaptured by Indian forces on 14 June.[81]
Though most of the posts in the vicinity of the highway were cleared of the enemy by mid-June, some posts near Dras endured sporadic shelling until the end of the war. Once the NH 1A area was cleared, the Indian Army turned to drive the invading force back across the Line of Control. TheBattle of Tololing,among others, slowly tilted the war in India's favour. Nevertheless, some Pakistani posts put up a stiff resistance, including Tiger Hill (Point 5140), which fell only later in the war. As the operation was fully underway, about 250 artillery guns were brought in to clear the infiltrators in posts that were in theline-of-sight.At many vital points, neither artillery nor air power could dislodge 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 ascents that had to be made on peaks as high as 5,500 m (18,000 ft). Two months into the conflict, Indian troops had slowly retaken most of the ridges they had lost.[82][83]According to official accounts, an estimated 75%–80% of the enemy-occupied area, and nearly all the high ground, was back under Indian control.
Following theWashington Accordof 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, theUnited Jihad Council(an umbrella group for all extremists) rejected Pakistan's plan for a draw-down, deciding instead to fight on.[84]The Indian Army launched its final attacks in the last week of July. As soon as the Dras sub-sector had been cleared of Pakistani forces, the fighting ceased on 26 July, which has since been celebrated asKargil Vijay Diwas (Kargil Victory Day)in India. By the end of the war, India had resumed control of all the territory south and east of the Line of Control, as was established in July 1972 per theShimla Accord.By the time all hostilities had ended, the number of Indian soldiers killed during the conflict stood at 527,[85]while more than 700 regular members of the Pakistani Army had been killed.[86]The number of Islamist fighters, also known as Mujahideen, killed by Indian armed forces during the conflict stood at about 3,000.[citation needed]
2016 Surgical Strikes on Kashmir and the 2016–2018 India-Pakistan conflict
On 18 September 2016, afedayeenattackwas made by four armed militants on an army base near the town ofUri.Nineteen Indian Army soldiers were killed. India accusedJaish-e-Muhammad,a Pakistan-based terrorist organisation.[87]On 29 September 2016, the India Army announced that it conducted "surgical strikes"against militant launch pads across theLine of Control,in Pakistani-administeredKashmir,and inflicted "significant casualties".[88]Indian media reported the casualty figures variously from 35 to 70 killed.[89][90]Partial footage of the strikes was released to the Indian media on 27 June 2018 as proof of the strike.[91][92][verification needed]The incident triggered the2016–2018 India-Pakistan border conflict,which ended on 16 June 2018 with both India and Pakistan agreeing on a ceasefire.[93][94]
2019 India–Pakistan border skirmishes
Following the14 February 2019 Pulwama attackinJammu and Kashmir,which killed 40 IndianCentral Reserve Police Forcepersonnel. Responsibility for the attack was claimed by aPakistan-based militant group,Jaish-e-Mohammed.[95]India blamed Pakistan for the attack and promised a robust response, while the latter condemned the attack and denied having any connection to it.[96][97]
Twelve days later, in the early morning of 26 February 2019,India carried out a cross-border airstrikenearBalakot,Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,Pakistan.[98][99]
After over a month-long skirmish, both Indian Prime Minister of IndiaNarendra Modiand Pakistan Prime MinisterImran Khanagreed on a peace offer on 22 March 2019 ending hostilities and vowed to fight against terrorism together.[100][101]
United Nations peacekeeping missions
India has been the largest troop contributor toUN peacekeeping missionssince its inception. So far, India has taken part in 43 Peacekeeping missions, with a total contribution exceeding 160,000 troops and a significant number of police personnel having been deployed. In 2014, India was the third largest troop contributor (TCC), with 7,860 personnel deployed, of which 995 were police personnel, including the first UNFemale Formed Police Unit,serving with ten UN peacekeeping missions.[102][103]As of 30 June 2014[update],157 Indians have been killed during such missions.[104]The Indian army has also provided paramedical units to facilitate the withdrawal of the sick and wounded.
Indo-China Doklam issue
Major exercises
Operation Brasstacks
Operation Brasstackswas launched by the Indian Army in November 1986 to simulate a full-scale war on India's western border. The exercise was the largest ever conducted in India; it included nine infantry, three mechanised, three armoured divisions, and one air assault division, as well as three independent armoured brigades. Amphibious assault exercises were also conducted with theIndian Navy.Brasstacks also allegedly incorporated nuclear attack drills. It led to tensions with Pakistan and a subsequent rapprochement in mid-1987.[105]
Exercise Nomadic Elephant
Since 2004, and every year since, the Indian Army has been conducting training exercises with theMongolian Army.In 2012, the exercise took place inBelgaum;in June 2013, it was held in Mongolia. The aim of the exercises is to enhance counterinsurgency and counter-terrorism operations, and to train in conducting peacekeeping operations under the mandate of the United Nations.[106][107]
Exercise Ashwamedha
Indian Army tested its network-centric warfare capabilities in the Ashwamedha exercise. The exercise was held in theThar desert,and over 300,000 troops participated.[108]Asymmetric warfare capability was also tested by the Indian Army during the exercise.[109]
Exercise Yudh Abhyas
The Yudh Abhyas exercise is an ongoing series, since 2005 of joint exercises between the Indian and United States armies, agreed upon under the New Framework of the India-US Defence Relationship. Commencing at the platoon level, the exercise has graduated to a command post (CPX) and field training exercise (FTX).
The seventh edition of Yudh Abhyas began on 5 March 2012, in two locations under the Southwestern Command. The US Army contingent is from theUS Army Pacific (USARPAC),part of theUnited States Pacific Command(USPACOM). The command post exercise has an engineer brigade headquarters, with its planners drawn from both countries, while the field training exercise comprises troops of the United States' 2nd Squadron,14th Cavalry Regiment,from the25th Infantry Division,Hawaii, along with aStrykerplatoon, and a similarly sized Indian Army contingent of mechanised infantry. Several key surveillance, communications, andIEDdetection and neutralisation technologies, available to both sides, were fielded in the exercise.[citation needed]
The eighth edition of Yudh Abhyas was conducted from 3 to 17 May 2013 as a U.S.-Army-Pacific-sponsored bilateral training exercise with the Indian Army, an exercise that focused on the two countries' cultures, weapons training, and tactics. Units from the United States included the 1st Brigade Combat Team,82nd Airborne Division,fromFort Bragg,N.C., and the 3rd Squadron,73rd Cavalry Regiment.Units from India were the Indian Army's99th Mountain Brigade;the 2nd Battalion,5th Gurka Rifles;the 50th Independent Parachute Brigade;and the 54th Engineers Regiment.[110][111][112][113]
Exercise Shakti
The Shakti exercise is an ongoing series, since 2011, of joint exercises between the Indian and French armies. The exercise is conducted to practice and validate anti-terrorist operations in snowbound and mountainous areas. The first joint exercise was held in India in October 2011 and the second one in September 2013. The theme of the exercise is to conduct joint platoon-level counter-insurgency operations in high-altitude mountainous terrain under the UN Charter, thus emphasising the shared concerns of both countries regarding global terrorism. An added aim of the exercise is to qualitatively enhance knowledge of each other's military procedures, thus increasing the scope for interoperability and the ability to respond to a common threat. The twelve-day exercise with the French Army is scheduled to be conducted in multiple modules in order to achieve complete integration between the two contingents at every stage.[114][115]
Exercise Shoorveer
From the first week of April to the first week of May 2012, the Indian Army launched a massive summer exercise in the Rajasthan desert, involving over 50,000 troops and several hundred artillery pieces and infantry combat vehicles, as part of its efforts to shore up its battle worthiness on the western front, the border with Pakistan. The exercise, code-named "Shoorveer", was being conducted by the Jaipur-based South Western Command. This was the largest ever exercise conducted by the Indian army since 1947. The collective training started with the honing of basic battle procedures and tactical drills.
Several field firings were carried out to check the accuracy and lethality of weapon systems. Many innovations, adopted by units and formations to enhance combat power, were tested in the field. The troops built on the training momentum gradually, with increasing combat tempo, to set the stage for a major joint army–air force exercise in the latter part of the exercise.[116]
Exercise Rudra Akrosh
In May 2012, the Indian Army conducted several war games aimed (according to officials) at validating "the operational and transformational effectiveness of various formations under the Western Army Command".[117]The exercise involved approximately 20,000 troops and support from the Indian Air Force.
Exercise Shatrujeet
In April 2016, the Indian Army conducted a major exercise called Shatrujeet, with the eliteMathura-based Strike Corpsin the desert area of the Mahajan Field Firing Range inRajasthan,whose object was to evaluate the capability to strike deep into enemy territory, to deliver a quick, lethal strike against the enemy in an integrated air-land battle environment, with co-ordination among all the forces in a nuclear, biological, and chemical warfare scenario.[118][119][120]
Mission and doctrine
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 against insurgencies inKashmirandNortheast India.Currently, the army is also looking at enhancing itsspecial forcescapabilities. With India's increasing international role, and the requirement to protect its interests in far-off countries becoming important, the Indian Army and the Indian Navy are jointly planning to set up a marine brigade.[121][122]
The current combat doctrine of the Indian Army is based on effectively utilising holding formations and strike formations. In the case of an attack, the holding formations would contain the enemy and strike formations would counter-attack to neutralise enemy forces. In the case of an Indian attack, the holding formations would pin enemy forces down, whilst the strike formations would attack at a point of India's choosing. The Indian Army is large enough to devote several corps to the strike role.
Organisation
Leadership
| Post | Current Holder |
|---|---|
| Chief of the Army Staff | GeneralUpendra Dwivedi,PVSM, AVSM, ADC[123] |
| Vice Chief of Army Staff | Lieutenant GeneralN. S. Raja Subramani,PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM |
| Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Capability Development and Sustenance) | Lieutenant General JB Chaudhari, PVSM, SM, VSM |
| Deputy Chief of the Army Staff (Information Systems and Coordination) | Lieutenant General Rakesh Kapoor, AVSM,VSM |
| Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy) | Lieutenant GeneralTarun Kumar Aich,PVSM, AVSM |
| Adjutant General | Lieutenant GeneralBansi Ponnappa,PVSM, AVSM, VSM |
| Military Secretary | Lieutenant General Rashim Bali, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM |
| Quartermaster General | Lieutenant General VMB Krishnan, AVSM, YSM |
| Engineer-in-Chief | Lieutenant General Arvind Walia, AVSM |
The troops are organized into 40 Divisions in 14 Corps.[citation needed]Army headquarters is located in the Indian capital, New Delhi, and it is under the overall command of theChief of Army Staff(COAS).
Command structure
The army operates six operational commands and one training command.[124]Each command is headed byGeneral Officer Commanding-in-Chiefwith the rank ofLieutenant General.Each command directly reports to Army HQ in New Delhi. These commands are given below in order of creation, with location (city) and commanders listed. There is also theArmy Training Commandabbreviated ARTRAC. Besides these, army officers may head tri-service commands such as theStrategic Forces CommandandAndaman and Nicobar Command,as well as institutions such as theIntegrated Defence Staff.
Note: ** = Currently being raise
Combat Arms
Not to be confused with the field corps listed above, the corps mentioned below are divisions entrusted with specific pan-Army tasks.
TheIndian Territorial Armyhas battalions affiliated with different infantry regiments and some department units that are from the Corps of Engineers, Army Medical Corps, or the Army Service Corps. They serve as a part-time reserve. On 4 June 2017, the chief of staff announced that the Army was planning to open combat positions to women, who would first be appointed to positions in the military police.[citation needed]
| Name | Director General | Centre |
|---|---|---|
| Armoured Corps | Lieutenant General Vivek Kashyap, AVSM, VSM[135] | The Armoured Corps Centre and School,Ahmednagar |
| Regiment of Artillery | Lieutenant General Adosh Kumar, AVSM, SM[136] | The School of Artillery,DevlalinearNasik |
| Corps of Army Air Defence | Lieutenant General Sumer Ivan D'Cunha, SM[137] | Gopalpur,Odisha. |
| Army Aviation Corps | Lieutenant General Ajay Kumar Suri[138] | Combat Army Aviation Training School,Nasik. |
| Corps of Engineers | Lieutenant General Arvind Walia, AVSM[139] | College of Military Engineering, Pune Madras Engineer Group,Bangalore Bengal Engineer Group,Roorkee Bombay Engineer Group,KhadkinearPune |
| Corps of Signals | Lieutenant General Kanwar Vinod Kumar, AVSM[140] | Military College of Telecommunication Engineering(MCTE),Mhow Two Signal Training Centres atJabalpurandGoa. |
| Mechanised Infantry | - | Ahmednagar |
| Infantry | Lieutenant General A K Samantara, SM**, VSM[141][142] | Multiple centres |
Armoured Corps
There are 65armoured regimentsin the Indian Army. These include thePresident's Bodyguardand the61st Cavalryas well as the following historic regiments dating back to the nineteenth century or earlier:1st (Skinner's) Horse,the2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse),the3rd Cavalry,the4th (Hodson's) Horse,the7th Light Cavalry,the8th Light Cavalry,the9th (Deccan) Horse,the14th (Scinde) Horse,the17th (Poona) Horse,the15th Lancers,the16th Light Cavalry,the18th Cavalry,the 20th Lancers and the21st (Central India) Horse.A substantial number of additional units designated as either "Cavalry" or "Armoured" Regiments have been raised since Independence.
Mechanised Infantry
The Mechanised Infantry is the newest combat arm of the Indian Army. Often referred to as "tomorrow's arm in today's army", it is formed of two regiments—The Brigade of the GuardsandMechanised Infantry Regiment—and comprises 50 Mechanised Infantry battalions in all. It is the brainchild of GeneralKrishnaswamy Sundarji(28 April 1930 – 8 February 1999), who was the Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army from 1986 to 1988. During the late 70s, as part of Indian Army modernisation, there was an urgent need to re-calibrate the Indian Mechanised Forces, which led to the forming of Mechanised Infantry units to further the shock-action, fire-power, flexibility, and mobility of armoured formations by including ground-holding ability. The Mechanised Infantry regiments were first created with carefully selected existing Infantry battalions, based on their operational performance. As the need for more mechanised battalions grew, the elite Brigade of The Guards was also converted to the mechanised profile. The two regiments along with the Armoured Corps form part of the Indian Army's elite "Mechanised Forces".
There are 50 mechanised infantry battalions in the Army. Of these, 10 are for reconnaissance and support battalions (5 wheeled and 5 tracked) and 40 are standard mechanised infantry battalions (10 wheeled and 30 tracked).[143]
The Standard and Recce & Support Tracked battalions are equipped withBMP-2while the Wheeled ones are equipped with Jeep (mountedATGMlaunchers) andBRDM-2.The recce and support battalions also included 4 ATGM battalions (including 17Guardsbattalion). These were later converted to R&S battalions.[144]
Infantry
Upon its inception, the Indian Army inherited the British Army's organisational structure, which is still maintained today. Therefore, like its predecessor, an Indian infantry regiment's responsibility is not to undertake field operations but to provide battalions and well-trained personnel to the field formations. As such, it is common to find battalions of the same regiment spread across several brigades, divisions, corps, commands, and even theatres. Like its British and Commonwealth counterparts, troops enlisted within the regiment are immensely loyal, take great pride in the regiment to which they are assigned, and generally spend their entire career within the regiment.
MostIndian Army infantry regimentsrecruit based on certain selection criteria, such as region (for example, theAssam Regiment), caste/community (Jat Regiment), or religion (Sikh Regiment). Most regiments continue the heritage of regiments raised under the British Raj, but some have been raised after independence, some of which have specialised in border defence, in particular theLadakh Scouts,theArunachal Scouts,and theSikkim Scouts.
Over the years there have been fears that troops' allegiance lay more with their regiments and the regions/castes/communities/religions from which they were recruited, as opposed to the Indian union as a whole. Thus some "all India" or "all class" regiments have been created, which recruit troops from all over India, regardless of region, caste, community, or religion: such as theBrigade of the Guards(which later converted to the Mechanised Infantry profile) and theParachute Regiment.
Artillery
TheRegiment of Artilleryis the second-largest arm of the Indian Army, constituting nearly one-sixth of the Army's total strength. Originally raised in 1935 as part of theRoyal Indian Artilleryof the British Indian Army, the Regiment is now tasked with providing the Army's towed and self-propelledfield artillery,including guns, howitzers, heavy mortars, rockets, and missiles.
As an integral part of nearly all combat operations conducted by the Indian Army, the Regiment of Artillery has a history of being a major contributor to its military success. During theKargil War,it was the Indian Artillery that inflicted the most damage.[146]Over the years, five artillery officers have gone on to the Army's highest post as Chief of Army Staff.
For some time, the Regiment of Artillery commanded a significantly larger share of the Army's personnel than it does now, as it was also responsible for air defence artillery and some aviation assets. The 1990s saw the formation of the Corps of Army Air Defence and the coalescing of all aviation assets into the Army Aviation Corps. The arm is now focused on field artillery and supplies regiments and batteries to each of the operational commands. The home of the Regiment is inNashik,Maharashtra,where their headquarters is located, along with the service's museum. The School of Artillery of the Indian Army is located nearby, inDevlali.
After suffering consistent failure to import or produce modern artillery for three decades,[147][148]theRegiment of Artilleryis finally going ahead with procurement of brand new 130-mm and 155-mm guns.[149][150][151]The Army is also putting large numbers of rocket launchers into service, with 22 regiments to be equipped with the indigenously developedPinaka multi barrel rocket launcherby the end of the next decade.[152]
Corps of Engineers
TheIndian Army Corps of Engineershas a long history dating back to the mid-18th century. The earliest existing subunit of the Corps (18 Field Company) dates back to 1777, while the Corps officially recognises its birth as 1780, when the senior-most group of the Corps, the Madras Sappers, were raised. The Corps consists of three groups of combat engineers, namely theMadras Sappers,theBengal Sappers,and theBombay Sappers.A group is roughly analogous to a regiment of the Indian infantry, each group consisting of several engineer regiments. The engineer regiment is the basic combat-engineer unit, analogous to an infantry battalion.
Corps of Signals
Indian Army Corps of Signalsis a corps and the arm of the Indian Army which handles itsmilitary communications.It was formed on 15 February 1911 as a separate entity under Lieutenant Colonel S. H. Powell and went on to make important contributions during World War I and World War II.[153]On 15 February 2011, the corps celebrated the 100th anniversary of its raising.[154]
Army Aviation Corps
TheArmy Aviation Corps,formed on 1 November 1986, is the aviation arm of the Indian Army. It is headed by a Director-General with the rank ofLieutenant Generalat Army HQ inNew Delhi.
Corps of Army Air Defence
TheCorps of Army Air Defence(abbreviated AAD) is an active corps of the Indian Army, and a major combat formation tasked with theair defencesof the country from foreign threats. The Corps is responsible for the protection of Indian air space from enemy aircraft and missiles, especially those below 5,000 feet.[155]
The history of the AAD dates back to 1939, during the times of theBritish Rajin India. The corps actively took part in theSecond World War,fighting on behalf of theBritish Empire.Post-independence, the corps has participated in all thewars involving India,starting with the1947 Indo-Pakistani War,up to the1999 Kargil conflict.The corps enjoyed autonomous status from 1994, after the bifurcation of the Corps of Air Defence Artillery from the Army's artillery regiment. A separate training school, the Army Air Defence College (AADC), was established to train its personnel.
Services
| Name | Director General | Centre |
|---|---|---|
| Army Service Corps | Lt General Preet Mohindera Singh, VSM | Bangalore |
| Army Medical Corps | Lt General Arindam Chatterjee, AVSM, VSM | Lucknow/Pune |
| Army Dental Corps | Lt General Vineet Sharma, VSM | Lucknow |
| Army Ordnance Corps | Lt General Suresh Chandra Tandi, VSM | JabalpurandSecunderabad(HQ) |
| Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers | Lt General JS Sidana, AVSM | Secunderabad |
| Remount and Veterinary Corps | Lt General Pramod Batra, VSM | Meerut |
| Army Education Corps | - | Pachmarhi |
| Corps of Military Police | Bangalore | |
| Pioneer Corps | Bangalore | |
| Army Postal Service Corps | - | Kampteenear Nagpur |
| Territorial Army | Lieutenant General Abhijit S Pendharkar, AVSM, YSM[156] | New Delhi |
| Defence Security Corps | - | Kannur Cantonment,Kerala |
| Intelligence Corps | - | Pune |
| Judge Advocate General's Department | - | Institute of Military LawKamptee,Nagpur |
| Military Nursing Service | - | Pune and Lucknow |
| Human Rights Cell | - | Delhi |
Recruitment and Training
Pre-commission training of Gentlemen Cadets is carried out at theIndian Military AcademyatDehradunand theOfficers Training AcademyatChennai.There are also specialised training institutions such as theArmy War College,at Mhow, Madhya Pradesh; theHigh Altitude Warfare School(HAWS), at Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir; theCounter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School(CIJW), in Vairengte, Mizoram; and theCollege of Military Engineering(CME), in Pune.
TheArmy Training Command(ARTRAC), atShimla,supervises training of personnel.
In 2020 a 'Tour of Duty' scheme was proposed for voluntary recruitment into the forces for civilians, to enable them to join for three years of short service.[157]The scheme is on a trial basis and will start with a test group of 100 officers and 1000 jawans.[158]
Agnipath Scheme
Agnipath Schemeis a new scheme introduced by theGovernment of Indiaon 14 June 2022, for recruitment of soldiers below the rank of commissioned officers into the three services of thearmed forces.[159][160]All recruits will be hired only for a four-year period. Personnel recruited under this system are to be calledAgniveers(transl. Fire-Warriors), which will be a new military rank. The introduction of the scheme has been criticized for lack of consultation and public debate. The scheme was implemented in September 2022.
| Year | Soldiers |
|---|---|
| 2015–16 | 71,804 |
| 2016–17 | 52,447 |
| 2017–18 | 50,026 |
| 2018–19 | 53,431 |
| 2019–20 | 80,572 |
| 2020–21 | 0 |
| 2021–22 | 0 |
| 2022–23 | 0 |
| 2023-24 | 13,000 |
This scheme will bypass many things including long tenures, pension and other benefits which were there in old system.[162]Opposition parties in India have criticised and expressed concerns about the consequences of the new scheme. They have asked the scheme to be put on hold and that the scheme be discussed in theParliament.[163]
Intelligence
TheDirectorate of Military Intelligence(DMI) is an intelligence-gathering arm of the Indian Army. The MI (as it is commonly referred to) was constituted in 1941. It was initially created to check corruption in the Army's ranks. With time, its role has evolved into cross-border intelligence, intelligence sharing with friendly nations, infiltrating insurgent groups, and counterterrorism.
In the late 1970s, the MI was embroiled in theSamba spy scandal,wherein three Indian Army officers were falsely implicated as Pakistani spies. The organisation has since emerged from the scandal as a prime intelligence organisation of the Indian Army.
As of 2012[update],the MI has seen many of its roles taken away by the newly createdNational Technical Research Organisationand theDefence Intelligence Agency.[164]Since it was set up in 2004 as a premier scientific agency under the National Security Adviser in the Prime Minister's Office, it also includes theNational Institute of Cryptology Research and Development(NICRD), which is the first of its kind in Asia.[165]
STEAG
The Signals Technology Evaluation and Adaptation Group (STEAG), a specialist technical unit tasked with investigating and evaluating cutting-edge communication technologies, was founded by the Indian Army on 18 March 2024. It will prioritize the development of specialized technologies for both wired and wireless systems, such as5Gand6Gnetworks,quantum technologies,artificial intelligence,machine learning,software-defined radios(SDR),electronic exchanges,mobile communications,andElectronic Warfare(EW) systems. In order to find appropriate defense applications, the unit will work with industry and academics to utilize state-of-the-art technology. In addition to developing and evaluating keyInformation and Communications Technology(ICT) solutions, STEAG will do technical scouting and provide user interface assistance by maintaining and upgrading modern technologies.[166]
Field formations
Below are the basic field formations of the Indian Army:
- Command:Indian Army has six operational commands and one training command. Each one is headed by ageneral officer commanding-in-chief (GOC-in-C),known as the army commander, who is among the senior-mostLieutenant Generalofficers in the army.
- Corps:A command generally consists of two or more corps. Indian Army has 14 Corps each one commanded by ageneral officer commanding (GOC),known as the corps commander, who holds the rank ofLieutenant General.[124]Each corps is composed of three or four divisions. There are three types of corps in the Indian Army: Strike, Holding and Mixed. The Corps HQ is the highest field formation in the army.[167]
- Division:Each division is headed byGOC(division commander) in the rank ofmajor general.[124]It usually consists of three to four Brigades.[124]Currently, the Indian Army has 40 Divisions[citation needed]including four RAPIDs (Re-organised Army Plains Infantry Division), 18 Infantry Divisions, 12 Mountain Divisions, three Armoured Divisions and three Artillery Divisions.
- Brigade:A brigade generally consists of around 3,000 combat troops with supporting elements. An Infantry Brigade usually has three Infantrybattalionsalong with various Support Elements.[124]It is commanded by a brigade commander who is aBrigadier,[124]equivalent to abrigadier generalin some armies. In addition to the Brigades in various Army Divisions, the Indian Army also has five Independent Armoured Brigades, 15 Independent Artillery Brigades, seven Independent Infantry Brigades, one Independent Parachute Brigade, three Independent Air Defence Brigades, two Independent Air Defence Groups and four Independent Engineer Brigades. These Independent Brigades operate directly under the Corps Commander (GOC Corps).
- Battalion:Composed of four rifle companies.[124]Commanded by a battalion commander who is aColonel[124]and is the Infantry's main fighting unit. Every infantry battalion also possesses oneGhatak Platoon.[168]
- Company:Composed of three platoons.[124]Commanded by a company commander who is amajororlieutenant-colonel.[124]
- Battery:Comprising either 3 or 4 sections, in artillery and air defence units. Every battery has two officers, the senior of which is the Battery Commander.
- Platoon:Composed of three sections.[124]Commanded by a platoon commander who is aJCO.[124]
- Section:Smallest military outfit, with a strength of 10 personnel. Commanded by a section commander of the rank ofHavaldar.[124]
Indian Army forts
- Fort William,Kolkata:Garrison ofEastern Army Command
- Fort St George,Chennai:Garrison of ATNK&K Army Area
- OD Fort,Allahabad,Ordnance Depot
Personnel
The Indian Army is a voluntary service, and although a provision for militaryconscriptionexists in theIndian constitution,conscription has never been imposed. As of 1 July 2017[update],the Indian Army has a sanctioned strength of 49,932 officers (42,253 serving, being 7,679 under strength), and 1,215,049 enlisted personnel (1,194,864 serving, being 20,185 under strength).[9][10]Recently, it has been proposed to increase the strength of the army by more than 90,000, to counter the increasing presence of Chinese troops along theLine of Actual Control.[170][171]According to theInternational Institute for Strategic Studies,in 2020 the army had a strength of 1,237,000 active personnel and 960,000 reserve personnel.[172]Of those in reserve, 300,000 are first-line reserves (within 5 years of active service), 500,000 are committed to return if called until the age of 50, and 160,000 were in theIndian Territorial Army,with 40,000 in regular establishment. This makes the Indian Army the world's largest standingvolunteer army.[173][174]
Rank structure
The ranks of the Indian Army for the most part follow the British Army tradition.
Commissioned Officers Commissioned officers are the leaders of the army and command units from platoon/company to brigade, division, corps, and above.
Indian Army officers are continually put through different courses of training, and assessed on merit, for promotions and appointments. Substantive promotions up to lieutenant colonel, or equivalent, are based on time in service, whereas those for the colonel and above are based on selection, with promotion to colonel being also based on time served.
| Rank group | General / flag officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Indian Army[175] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||||||
| Field marshal फील्ड मार्शल |
General जनरल |
Lieutenant general लेफ्टिनेंट जनरल |
Major general मेजर जनरल |
Brigadier ब्रिगेडियर |
Colonel कर्नल |
Lieutenant colonel लेफ्टिनेंट कर्नल |
Major मेजर |
Captain कैप्टन |
Lieutenant लेफ्टिनेंट | |||||||||||||||
| Honorary/ War time rank |
Held by the Chief of Defence Staff(with different insignia) and/or the Chief of the Army Staff | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Other Ranks
| Rank group | Junior commissioned officers | Non commissioned officer | Enlisted | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Army[175] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
No insignia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subedar-major सूबेदार मेजर |
Subedar सूबेदार |
Naib subedar नायब सूबेदार |
Havildar हवलदार |
Naik नायक |
Lance naik लांस नायक |
Sepoy सिपाही | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Uniforms
To make themselves less of a target, the forces of theEast India Companyin India dyed their white summertunicsto neutral tones initially a tan calledkhaki(from theHindiword for "dusty" ). This was a temporary measure that became standard in the Indian service in the 1880s. Only during theSecond Boer Warin 1902, did the entireBritish Armystandardise ondunforService Dress.The Indian Army uniform standardised on dun for khaki.
The service dress consists of a dark green coloured short-sleeved shirt with matching dark green trousers. Officers can add a four pocket tunic worn over a peach coloured button down shirt and black tie. The Winter "Angola", meaning Angora wool, version substitutes a light brown/dark khaki long-sleeved button up shirt. It is accompanied by beret or peaked cap depending on the regiment the soldier belongs to. Organizational headwear, sashes, belts,spats,medals, lanyards, and other achievements are added for ceremonial duties.[176]A black version is worn by the Armoured Corps.[176]
The 2006 standard issuedcamouflageuniform of the Indian Army was the PC-DPM which consists ofFrench Camouflage Europe Centralefeaturing a forest camouflage pattern and is designed for use in woodland environments being printed onBDU.The Desert variant issued in 2006 was based on theFrench Camouflage Daguetprinted onBDU,which features a desert camouflage pattern, is used by artillery and infantry posted in dusty, semi-desert, and desert areas ofRajasthanand its vicinity. Starting in 2022, a digital pixelated camouflage pattern uniform designed byNIFThas been adopted, while the uniform style is similar to the US MarineMMCUUuniform.[177][178]
The newcamouflagepattern retains the mix of colours includingolive greenandearthen,and has been designed keeping in mind aspects like areas of deployment of the troops and climatic conditions they operate in. According to the officials, thefabricof the new material makes it lighter, sturdier, more breathable, and more suitable for the differentterrainsthat the soldiers are posted in.[179]
The new uniform, unlike the old one, has acombat T-shirtworn underneath and ajacketover it. Also, unlike the older uniform, the shirt will not be tucked in. The jacket has angular top pockets, lower pockets with vertical openings, knifepleatsat the back, a pocket on the leftsleeve& a pen holder on the left forearm, and improved-quality buttons. Thetrouserswill be adjustable at the waist with elastic and buttons, and has a double layer at the groin. For the caps, thegirthwill be adjustable, and the logo of the Army will be of better quality than earlier.
The new uniforms would not be available in theopen market.The uniforms will bebarcodedandQR codedto maintain their uniqueness and will be available only through the ordnance chain or military canteens.[180]To control random proliferation, they will come in over a dozen pre-stitched standard sizes. The new uniform will be made available in a phased manner to the nearly 1.2 million personnel of the Indian Army.
The modern Indian Army wears distinctive parade uniforms characterised by variegated turbans and waist-sashes in regimental colours. The Gurkha andGarhwal Riflesand the Assam, Kumaon, and Naga Regiments wear broad-brimmed hats of traditional style. Traditionally, all rifle regiments (the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, the Garhwal Rifles, all Gorkha Rifles, and the Rajputana Rifles), as well as the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry, wearrank badges,buttons, and wire-embroidered articles in black, instead of the usual brass (or gold) colour, as the original role of the rifle regiments was camouflage and concealment.
-
Indian Army officer in green service uniform -
Soldiers of theAssam Regimentwearing the Angola winter shirt. -
Winter camouflage adopted in 2022 -
Indian Army Para-Commando wearing the PC-DPM based on a combination of FrenchFrench Camouflage Europe Centraleprinted on US-styleBDU -
Senior officer from Northern Command wearing the new NIFT Camouflage -
Indian Army personnel wearing the new uniform designed byNIFT -
14th Maratha jawan in ceremonial version of the service dress
Medals and awards
The medals awarded by the President of India for gallantry displayed on the battlefield, in order of precedence, areParam Vir Chakra,Maha Vir Chakra,andVir Chakra.
The medals awarded by the President for gallantry displayed away from the battlefield, in order of precedence, areAshoka Chakra,Kirti Chakra,andShaurya Chakra.
Many of the recipients of these awards have been Indian Army personnel.
Women
The role of women in the Indian Army began when the Indian Military Nursing Service was formed in 1888. Nurses served in World Wars I and II, where 350 Indian Army nurses either died, were taken prisoner of war, or declared missing in action; this includes nurses who died when SS Kuala was sunk by Japanese Bombers in 1942.[182]In 1992, the Indian Army began inducting women officers in non-medical roles.[183]
Agnipath Recruiting Scheme
TheAgnipath Scheme[184](also spelledAgneepath Scheme) (Hindi:Agnīpath Yojanā,transl. Agnipath Scheme) is atour of dutystyle scheme approved by theGovernment of Indiaon 14 June 2022 and implemented in the country a few months later in September 2022, for recruitment of soldiers below the rank of commissioned officers into the three services of thearmed forces.[159]All recruits will be hired only for a four-year period however 25% will be eligible for advancement into career status.[185]Personnel recruited under this system are to be calledAgniveers(transl. Fire-Warriors), which will be a new military rank.[186][160]The introduction of the scheme has been criticised for lack of consultation and public debate.[160]Initial training will last six months and the remaining three years and six months will be service time.[187]
Equipment
Most of the army equipment is imported, but efforts are being made to manufacture indigenous equipment. TheDefence Research and Development Organisationhas developed a range of weapons for the Indian Army, including small arms, artillery, radars, and theArjuntank. All Indian military small-arms are manufactured under the umbrella administration of theOrdnance Factories Board,with principal firearm manufacturing facilities in Ichhapore,Cossipore,Kanpur, Jabalpur, and Tiruchirapalli. The Indian Small Arms System (INSAS) rifle, which has been successfully deployed since 1997, is a product ofRifle Factory Ishapore,while ammunition is manufactured at Khadki, and possibly at Bolangir.[188][189]
In 2014, Army chiefGeneral Bikram Singhsaid that if given sufficient budget support, the Indian Army might be able to acquire half the ammunition needed to fight in a major conflict by the next year.[190]
Aircraft
TheArmy Aviation Corpsis the main body of the Indian Army for tactical air transport, reconnaissance, and medical evacuation, while theIndian Air Force's helicopter assets are responsible for assisting army troop transport and close air support. The Aviation Corps operates approximately 150 helicopters. The Indian army had projected a requirement for a helicopter that can carry loads of up to 750 kilograms (1,650 lb) to heights of 7,000 m (23,000 ft) on the Siachen Glacier in Jammu and Kashmir. Flying at these heights poses unique challenges due to the rarefied atmosphere. The Indian Army will induct theHAL Light Utility Helicopterto replace its ageing fleet ofChetaksandCheetahs,some of which were deployed more than three decades ago.[191]
On 13 October 2012, the defence minister gave control of attack helicopters to the Indian Army, which had formerly rested the Indian Air force.[192]
Future developments
The major ongoing weapons programmes of the Indian Army are as follows:
Infantry
- F-INSASis the Indian Army's principal infantry modernisation programme, which aims to modernise the army's 465 infantry and paramilitary battalions by 2020. The programme aims to upgrade the infantry to a multi-calibre rifle with an under-barrel grenade launcher, as well as bulletproof jackets and helmets. The helmet would include a visor, flashlight, thermal sensors, night vision devices, and a miniature computer with an audio headset. There would also be a new lightweight and waterproof uniform, which would help the soldier in carrying extra loads and fighting in anNBCenvironment.[193]
- In 2008, theCabinet Committee on Securityapproved raising two new infantry mountain divisions (with around 15,000 combat soldiers each) and an artillery brigade. These divisions were likely to be armed with ultralight howitzers.[194]In July 2009, it was reported that the Army was advocating a new artillery division. The proposed artillery division, to be under the Kolkata-basedEastern Command,was to have three brigades – two armed with 155 mm howitzers and one with the Russian "Smerch" and indigenous "Pinaka" multiple-launch rocket systems.[195]
- In February 2024, reports emerged for the formation of a new Corps under theCentral Commandfor deployment alongLine of Actual Control(LAC).[196]TheXVIII Corpswill consist of at least one division (with around 15,000 to 18,000 combat soldiers each) and three independent brigades. This includes 14 RAPID Division, 9 Mountain Brigade, 136 Mountain Brigade and 119 Mountain Brigade. This move will convert HQ Uttar Bharat from a Static Formation into 'Full-fledged Combat Arm'.[197][198]This move is in a proposal stage in the Army and will be forwarded to the Ministry of Defence for clearance.[199]
- In April 2024, Indian Army proposed two new formations. One of them was the creation of an "adversial force" acting asopposing forcewhich will represent an enemy force in wargames. The other one is a "test-bed brigades or formation" which will enhance the efficiency of testing new weapons for procurement.[200]
Small Arms
- The Indian Army has 70,000Sig Sauer SIG 716assault rifles on order for its frontline troops engaged in counter-militancy operations.[201]
- To meet the needs of the rest of its soldiers, the army has selected the Russian 7.62 mmAK-203assault rifle as a "Make in India" project to manufacture 650,000 rifles through a government-to-government agreement. To be manufactured byIndo-Russia Rifles Private Limited(IRRPL)[202]
- Army has 550 units of indigenousASMI(forPara SF) submachine guns and another 550 units ofTaurus T9on order.[203]
- Earlier development efforts of the DRDO to meet the Indian Army's small arms requirements—namely theExcalibur rifle,which was meant to replace the INSAS rifle in service;[204]theMulti Caliber Individual Weapon System (MCIWS);and theModern Sub Machine Carbine,a combined venture of ARDE & OFB to develop an assault carbine for the Indian Army based on a platform of experiences from the INSAS rifle—have been halted.
- Mechanised Forces
- India is currently re-organising its mechanised forces to achieve strategic mobility and high-volume firepower for rapid thrusts into enemy territory.
- India proposes to progressively deploy as many as 248Arjunmain battle tanks (MBT) and to develop and deploy the Arjun MK-1A[205]variant, as well as 1,657 Russian-madeT-90S MBTs. The army is procuring 2,000 night vision devices for T-72 tanks, for Rs 10 billion; 1,200 for T-90 tanks, for Rs 9.60 billion; and 1,780 for infantry combat vehicles, for Rs 8.60 billion.
- It is also acquiring 700 TISAS (thermal imaging stand-alone systems) and 418 TIFACS (thermal fire control systems) for its T-72 fleet, at a cost of around $230 million. 300 Israeli TISAS were installed as part of several T-72 upgrade phases, followed by 3,860 image intensifier-based night-vision devices. 310 Russian produced T-90S Main Battle Tanks were also fitted with French Catherine TI cameras.[206][207]
- Future Ready Combat Vehicle(FRCV): Indian Army will issue an Request for Proposal to purchase 1,770 next generation tanks to replace T-72s from 2030 onwards. 590 units to be inducted in first phase. Deployment will be carried out in three phases. Features includes AI, drone integration, active protection system, network centric operation, etc.[208][209]
- Zorawar LT:Light tanks (under 25 tonnes) developed especially for deployment in mountainous terrain. 59 ordered, 295 more planned.[208]
- Futuristic Main Battle Tank(FMBT) – Upgraded version of Arjun Mk 1A. Fourth Generation MBT. It will be a 50 tonne tank powered by an indigenous 1,500 hp or 1,800 hp engine. At the conceptual stage.
- Abhay IFV– Future Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV). Intended to replaceBMP IIin Indian Army.
- TATA Kestrel– A modern armoured personnel carrier (APC) developed by Tata Motors and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It was developed to replace old Soviet-era infantry fighting vehicles (BMP) and APCs in service with the Indian army. Army has a requirement of 198 units.[210]
- Aviation
HAL Light Combat Helicopter
- Boeing AH-64 Apache:6 on order. 11 more planned.[211]
- HAL Prachand(LCH): 90 cleared for induction.[212]
- HAL Light Utility Helicopter(LUH): 6 LSP ordered, 90 initially planned. To replaceChetakandCheetah.[213]
- Missiles
- Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles
- Prahaar (missile)– With a range of 150 km (90 mi).[214]
- Agni P- Also known as Agni Prime. 1,000 km (620 mi)–2,000 km (1,200 mi) range. To replaceAgni-I.[215]
- Agni-IV– Also known as the Agni-II prime in the earlier times, it has an effective range of 4000 km and a cruise altitude of 900 km.
- Agni-V– 7,000 km (4,300 mi)–8,000 km (5,000 mi) Successfully tested in MIRV configuration on 11 March 2024.[216]
- Agni-VI– 10,000 km (6,200 mi)–12,000 km (7,500 mi) range withMIRVedwarheads. Currently in planning stage.
- Cruise Missiles
- Hypersonic cruise missile
- Nirbhay Missile
- BrahMos NG
Advanced Air Defence (AAD)missile launch, 2008
- Anti-Tank Guided Missiles
- Nag Anti-tank guided missile– ground and air-launched variant.
- TheIndian Ballistic Missile Defence Programmeis an initiative to develop and deploy a multi-layered ballistic missile defence system to protect India from ballistic missile attacks. It is a double-tiered system. Phase 1 development is complete, which consists ofPrithvi Air Defence (PAD),Advanced Air Defence (AAD),Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV)andPrithvi Defence Vehicle Mk 2missiles. Phase 2 missiles are in the trial phase.[217]
- Artillery
- Under theField Artillery Rationalisation Plan(FARP) of 2010, the army plans to procure 3000 to 4000 units of artillery at the cost of₹200 billion(US$2 billion). This includes purchasing 1580 towed, 814 mounted, 180 self-propelled wheeled, 100 self-propelled tracked, and 145 ultra-light 155 mm/39 calibre guns. The requirement for artillery guns would be met with indigenous development and production.[218]
- Towed Guns - 114Dhanushordered (18 delivered), 307ATAGSplanned, 1,200155 mmL/52howitzers planned.[219][220][221]
- Mounted Guns - 200105 mmL/37howitzers and 814155 mmL/52howitzers planned.[220][222]
- Self propelled tracked guns - 100K-9 Vajra-Tdelivered, 100 on order; another 100 planned.[220]
- Ultra light howitzer - 145M777guns delivered.[223]
- Vehicles
- Tata Motorsoffers a full range of 6×6, 8×8, and 12×12 multi-purpose high mobility carriers, designed especially for integrating specialist rocket and missile systems. The Tata 2038 6×6 vehicle platform has, after rigorous field-firing evaluation trials, been qualified by the Indian Army to carry the GRAD BM21 Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) application.
- Mahindra Axe– Light utility vehicle to be purchased.
- The army needs 3,000 light support vehicles and 1600 heavy motor vehicles for mounting rockets and radar, and for reconnaissance and transportation, at a cost of Rs 15 billion.[224]
See also
- Centre for Land Warfare Studies
- List of serving generals of the Indian Army
- Paramilitary forces of India
- Army Day (India)
- Indian National Army
- Indian Army United Nations peacekeeping missions
- Army Red Football Club
- Army Green Football Club
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External links
- Official website
- Indian ArmyatBharat Rakshak(archived)
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