Indian Armed Forces

The Indian Armed Forces are the military forces of the Republic of India. They consist of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Indian Coast Guard, supported by Paramilitary forces (Assam Rifles and Special Frontier Force) and various inter-service institutions such as the Strategic Forces Command. The Supreme Command of the Indian Armed Forces vests in the President. The Indian Armed Forces are under the management of the Ministry of Defence (MoD), which is led by the Union Cabinet Minister of Defense. The headquarters of the Indian Armed Forces is in New Delhi, the capital city of India. As of 2010, the Indian Armed Forces have a combined strength of 1,325,000 active personnel and 1,155,000 reserve personnel. In addition, there are approximately 2,289,000 paramilitary personnel, making it one of the world's largest military forces

The Armed Forces have six main tasks:

•         To assert the territorial integrity of India.
•         To defend the country if attacked by a foreign nation.
•        To send own amphibious warfare equipment to take the battle to enemy shores.
•        Cold Start which means Indian Armed Forces being able to quickly mobilise and take offensive        actions without crossing the enemy's nuclear-use threshold.
•        To support the civil community in case of disasters (e.g. flooding).
•        Participate in United Nations peacekeeping operations in consonance with India’s commitment to the United Nations Charter.

The earliest mention of Indian Army is found in the ancient texts and scriptures, including the Vedas and the epics Mahabharata and Ramayana. History of Indian army during British rule depicts that it became more structured. During the reign of the emperors, the loyalty of the soldiers laid with their kings and during later periods, this entire concept underwent sea changes. This mainly occurred due to the rise of the concept of nation.

Indian Army : The basic responsibility of the Army is to safeguard the territorial integrity of the nation against external aggression. The Indian Army, as we know it today became operational after the Country gained independence from British colonialism. The force is headed by the Chief of Army Staff 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. The Army is often required to assist the civil administration during internal security disturbances and in the maintenance of law and order, in organising relief operations during natural calamities like floods, earthquakes and cyclones and in the maintenance of essential services.

Indian Navy : The foundation of the modern Indian Navy was laid in the seventeenth century when the East India Company had established a maritime force, thereby graduating in time to the establishment of the Royal Indian Navy in 1934. With 58,350 men and women, including 7,000 personnel of Indian naval air arm, 1,200 Marine Commandos (MARCOS) and 1,000 personnel of the Sagar Prahari Bal, it is one of the world's largest navy. The navy is under the command of the Chief of the naval staff – an Admiral. The Indian navy is deployed under three area commands, each headed by a flag officer. 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. It is also only one of the six navies in the world that has nuclear capabilities. 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 Airforce :  The Indian Air Force (IAF) today, having completed more than six decades of dedicated service to the nation, is a modern, technology-intensive force distinguished by its commitment to excellence and professionalism. The Indian Air Force was officially established on 8th October 1932, and on 1st April 1954. With the passage of time, the Indian Air Force undertook massive upgrading of its aircraft and equipments. 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.

Indian Coast Guard : The Coast Guard (CG) was set up as an Armed Force of the Union in 1978 on recommendations of Rustamji Committee for preservation and protection of our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The CG is responsible for keeping India’s EEZ measuring over 2.02 million sq. kms. under regular surveillance in order to prevent poaching/ smuggling and other illegal activities in the EEZ. 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.

The Primary duty of Indian Coast Guard is:

• To protect our ocean and offshore wealth including Oil, Fish and Minerals.
• Protect the artificial Islands and off-shore installations.
• To assist Mariners in distress and safeguard life and property at sea
• To enforce Maritime Laws with respect to sea, shipping, poaching, smuggling and narcotics.
• To preserve marine environment and ecology and to protect rare species.
• To collect scientific data
• To assist Indian Navy during war situation

India has the world's 8th largest defense budget. In 2011, India's official military budget stood at $46.8 billion.

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 Award. The highest decoration for meritorious service is the Param Vishisht Seva Medal.

History of Indian forces shows that since ancient times a conventional method of warfare was followed. Hence the structure, strength and the policies differed in the various empires, but what remained unaltered, was the undeterred bravery with which the courageous men faced their foes. Indian Armed Forces that are well regarded as the epitome of chivalry, gallantry and intrepidity, is the subcontinent`s guardian against all kinds of intrusions.

                                                                                               I don’t claim the information to be my own. The information is compiled from different sources