Edit filter log

'{{About|the Indian Army since 1947|the 1858-1947 Indian Army|British Indian Army|the earlier period|Military history of India}} {{EngvarB|date=May 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2014}} {{Infobox military unit |unit_name = Indian Army<br /> <small>(''Bharatiya Thalsena'')</small> |image = [[File:Flag of Indian Army.svg|centre|250px|Flag of the Indian Army]] |caption = Flag of the Indian Army |start_date = 15 August 1947 |country = {{flag|India}} |type = [[Army]] |size = 1,129,900 active personnel<br/>960,000 reserve personnel<br/>[[Army Aviation Corps (India)|158 aircraft]] |command_structure = [[Ministry of Defence (India)|Ministry of Defence]]<br />[[Indian Armed Forces]] |garrison = [[New Delhi]], India |garrison_label = Headquarters |motto = "Service Before Self" |colors = Gold, red and black <br />{{color box|#FFD700}}{{color box|#D90000}}{{color box|#000000}} |colors_label = Colours |website = [http://indianarmy.nic.in/ Official Website of the Indian Army] <!-- Commanders --> |commander1 = [[General]] [[Dalbir Singh Suhag]]<ref name=SinghCOAS /> |commander1_label = [[Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Chief of the Army Staff (COAS)]] |commander2 = [[Lieutenant General|Lt Gen]] [[Philip Campose]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/NewsDetail/frmNoticeDetails.aspx?MnId=wZKaJTvhq6pc+/CjfB48LQ&NewsID=Ew1r3LavoiuBZz/G3kLfkQ== |title=Official Website of Indian Army |publisher=Indianarmy.nic.in |date=2014-08-01 |accessdate=2014-08-11}}</ref> |commander2_label = Vice Chief of the Army Staff (VCOAS) |ceremonial_chief = |ceremonial_chief_label = |notable_commanders = [[Kodandera Madappa Cariappa|Field Marshal K M Cariappa]]<br />[[Sam Manekshaw|Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw]] <!-- Insignia --> |identification_symbol= |identification_symbol_label= |identification_symbol_2= |identification_symbol_2_label= <!-- Aircraft --> |aircraft_electronic= |aircraft_transport=[[HAL Dhruv]], [[Aérospatiale Alouette III|HAL Chetak]], [[Aérospatiale SA 315B Lama|HAL Cheetah and Cheetal]] |aircraft_helicopter=[[HAL Rudra]] }} [[File:Yudh Abhyas 1.jpg|thumb|right|Soldiers from the 4th Rajput Infantry Battalion of the Indian Army handling [[INSAS rifle]]s during a training mission.]] The '''Indian Army''' ('''IA''', [[Hindi language|Hindi]]: भारतीय थलसेना, ''Bhāratīya Thalsēnā'') is the [[army|land-based branch]] and the largest component of the [[Indian Armed Forces]]. The [[President of India]] serves as the de jure Commander-in-Chief of the army while the de facto leadership lies with Minister of Defence, and it is commanded by the [[Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army|Chief of Army Staff]] (COAS), who is a [[Four-star rank|four-star]] general. Two officers have been conferred the rank of [[Field marshal (India)|Field marshal]], a [[Five-star rank]], which is a ceremonial position of great honour. The Indian Army originated from the armies of the [[East India Company]], which eventually became the [[British Indian Army]] and finally the national army after [[Independence of India|independence]]. The units and regiments of the Indian Army have diverse histories and have participated in a number of battles and campaigns across the world, earning a large number of [[Battle and theatre honours of the Indian Army|battle and theatre honours]] before and after Independence.<ref name='Sarbans'>{{cite book |title=Battle Honours of the Indian Army 1757 - 1971 |last=Singh |first=Sarbans |year=1993 |publisher=Vision Books |location=New Delhi |isbn=8170941156}}</ref> The primary mission of the Indian Army is to ensure [[national security]] and unity, [[Defence (military)|defending]] the nation from external aggression and threats, and maintaining peace and security within its borders. It conducts humanitarian rescue operations during natural calamities and other disturbances, like [[Operation Surya Hope]], and can also be requisitioned by the government to cope with internal threats. It is a major component of national power alongside the [[Indian Navy]] and the [[Indian Air Force]].<ref>Headquarters Army Training Command. "Indian Army Doctrine". October 2004. [http://web.archive.org/web/20071201062843/http://indianarmy.nic.in/indianarmydoctrine_1.doc Archive link] via [[archive.org]] (original url: <nowiki>http://indianarmy.nic.in/indianarmydoctrine_1.doc</nowiki>).</ref> The army has been involved in four wars with neighbouring Pakistan and one with China. Other major operations undertaken by the army include [[Operation Vijay (1961)|Operation Vijay]], [[Operation Meghdoot]] and [[Operation Cactus]]. Apart from conflicts, the army has conducted large peace time exercises like [[Operation Brasstacks]] and Exercise Shoorveer, and it has also been an active participant in numerous [[Indian Army United Nations peacekeeping missions|United Nations peacekeeping missions]] including the ones in Cyprus, Lebanon, Congo, Angola, Cambodia, Vietnam, Namibia, El Salvador, Liberia, Mozambique and Somalia. The Indian Army has a [[Regiment#Regimental system|regimental system]], but is operationally and geographically divided into [[Indian Army#Commands|seven commands]], with the basic field formation being a [[Division (military)|division]]. It is an [[Volunteer military|all-volunteer force]] and comprises more than 80% of the country's active defence personnel. It is [[List of countries by number of military and paramilitary personnel|one of the largest standing armies]] in the world, with 1,129,900 active troops and 960,000 reserve troops.<ref>First line reserves number 300,000, who are within 5 years of full-time service. 500,000 more have commitment till the age of 50.</ref> The army has embarked on an infantry modernization 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.<ref name=tmb2010>{{cite book|title=The Military Balance 2010|year=2010|publisher=Routledge|location=Oxfordshire|isbn=1857435575|pages=351, 359–364}}</ref><ref name=isfeb10>{{cite news|title=Indian Army Modernisation Needs a Major Push|url=http://www.indiastrategic.in/topstories482.htm|accessdate=10 July 2013|newspaper=India Strategic|date=February 2010}}</ref><ref name=dn2a12>{{cite news|title=India's Military Modernisation Up To 2027 Gets Approval|url=http://www.defencenow.com/news/611/indias-military-modernisation-up-to-2027-gets-approval.html|accessdate=10 July 2013|newspaper=Defence Now|date=2 April 2012}}</ref> ==History== {{Indian Army}} ===British Indian Army=== {{main|British Indian Army}} {{Further|List of regiments of the Indian Army (1903)}} [[Image:RML7pounderMountanGunHazaraBattery1895.jpg|thumb|left|200px|No. 4 ([[Hazara, Pakistan|Hazara]]) Mountain Battery with RML7 pounder "Steel Gun" Mountain Gun in Review Order. Left to right Naick, Havaldar, Subadar (Sikhs) and Gunner (Punjabi Musalman) circa 1895.]] A Military Department was created within the Supreme Government of the [[East India Company]] at [[Kolkata]] in the year 1776. Its main function was to sift and record orders relating to the Army that were issued by various Departments of the Government of the East India Company<ref name=mod-history>{{cite web|url=http://mod.nic.in/aboutus/welcome.html |title=About The Ministry |publisher=Ministry of Defence, Government of India |accessdate=31 March 2011}}</ref> 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 of [[Bengal Presidency|Bengal]], [[Bombay Presidency|Bombay]] & [[Madras Presidency|Madras]] functioned as respective Presidency Army until April 1895, when the Presidency Armies were unified into a single [[British Indian Army|Indian Army]]. For administrative convenience, it was divided into four commands at that point of time, namely Punjab (including the North West Frontier), Bengal, Madras (including Burma) and Bombay (including Sind, Quetta and Aden).<ref>Harold E. Raugh, ''The Victorians at war, 1815–1914: an encyclopaedia of British military history'' (2004) pp 173–79</ref> The British Indian Army was a critical force for the primacy of the [[British Empire]] both in India and across the world. Besides maintaining the internal security of the [[British Raj]], the Army fought in many other theatres – [[Anglo-Burmese Wars]], [[First Anglo-Sikh War|First]] and [[Second Anglo-Sikh War|Second]] Anglo-Sikh Wars, [[First Anglo-Afghan War|First]], [[Second Anglo-Afghan War|Second]] and [[Third Anglo-Afghan War|Third]] Anglo-Afghan Wars, [[First Opium War|First]] and [[Second Opium War]]s in China, [[Abyssinia (battle honour)|Abyssinia]], [[Boxer Rebellion]] in China. ===World Wars=== {{Main|Indian Army during World War I|Indian Army during World War II}} [[File:SikhsInFrancePostcard.jpg|right|thumb|200px|French postcard depicting the arrival of 15th Sikh Regiment in France during [[World War I]]. The postcard reads, ''"Gentlemen of India marching to chasten the German hooligans"''.]] [[File:0129.jpg|right|thumb|200px|An Indian soldier with the flag of [[Nazi Germany]] after German surrender during [[World War II]]]] In the 20th century, the Indian Army was a crucial adjunct to the British forces in both the [[World Wars]]. 1.3 million Indian soldiers served in [[World War I]] (1914–1918) for the [[Allies of World War I|Allies]], in which 74,187 Indian troops were killed or missing in action.<ref name="Urlanis">{{cite book |title=Wars and Population |last=Urlanis |first=Boris |year=1971 |location=Moscow |page=85 }}</ref> After the United Kingdom made vague promises of self-governance to the [[Indian National Congress]] in return for its support. Britain reneged on its promises after the war, following which the [[Indian independence movement#First World War|Indian Independence movement]] gained strength. The "[[Indianisation (British India)|Indianisation]]" of the British Indian Army began with the formation of the [[Prince of Wales Royal Indian Military College]] at Dehradun in March 1912 with the purpose of providing education to the scions of aristocratic and well-to-do Indian families and to prepare selected Indian boys for admission into the [[Royal Military College, Sandhurst]]. Indian officers given a King's commission after passing out were posted to one of the [[Eight Unit Scheme of Indianisation|eight units]] selected for Indianisation. Political pressure being applied due to the slow pace of Indianisation, with just 69 officers being commissioned between 1918 and 1932, led to the formation of the [[Indian Military Academy]] in 1932 and greater numbers of officers of Indian origin being commissioned.<ref>{{cite book |title=Thimayya: an amazing life |last=Khanduri |first=Chandra B. |year=2006 |publisher=Knowledge World |location=New Delhi |isbn=978-81-87966-36-4|page=394 |url=http://books.google.co.in/books?id=ZWXfAAAAMAAJ |accessdate=30 July 2010}}</ref> In [[World War II]] Indian soldiers fought for the [[Allies of World War II|Allies]]. 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). Their mission was internal security and defence against a possible Soviet threat through Afghanistan. As the war progressed, the size and role of the Indian Army expanded dramatically, and troops were sent to battle fronts as soon as possible. The most serious problem was lack of equipment.<ref>Kaushik Roy, "Expansion And Deployment of the Indian Army during World War II: 1939–45,"''Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research,'' Autumn 2010, Vol. 88 Issue 355, pp 248–268</ref> In the African and Middle-Eastern Campaigns, captured Indian troops were given a choice to join the German Army to eventually "liberate" India from Great Britain instead of being sent to [[POW camp]]s. These men, along with Indian students who were in Germany when the war broke out, made up what was called the [[Free India Legion]]. They were originally intended as pathfinders for German forces in Asia but they soon were sent to help guard the [[Atlantic Wall]]. Few who were part of the Free India Legion ever saw any combat and very few were ever stationed outside of Europe. At its height the Free India Legion had over 3,000 troops in its ranks.<ref>{{cite web|author=Martin Bamber and Aad Neeven |url=http://www.freeindianlegion.info/pag_infanterie-regement-950.php |title=The Free Indian Legion – Infantry Regiment 950 (Ind) |publisher=Freeindianlegion.info |date=26 August 1942 |accessdate=1 June 2012}}</ref> Indian units served in Burma, where in 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. Elements of British Indian army played important part in Indian independence movement. In the [[1915 Singapore Mutiny]] and in World War Two, thousands of British Indian army soldiers rose up and fought against British, most importantly by joining the [[Indian National Army]], which was allied with the [[Empire of Japan]], was raised by a former col of British Indian Army (Gen) Mohan Singh but later led by Netaji [[Subhas Chandra Bose]] and [[Rash Bihari Bose]]. With the fall of Singapore in 1942, about 40,000 Indian soldiers were captured. They were given a choice and over 30,000 joined the [[Indian National Army]]. Those who refused became POWs and were mostly shipped to New Guinea.<ref>Peter Stanley, "Great in adversity": Indian prisoners of war in New Guinea," ''Journal of the Australian War Memorial'' (October 2002) No. 37 [https://www.awm.gov.au/journal/j37/indians.asp online]</ref> After initial success it was defeated along with Japanese but it had huge impact on Indian independence movement. Similar organisations were also made in Germany and Japan. In 1946 Indian sailors revolted against British which resulted in [[Royal Indian Navy mutiny|1946 British Indian Navy Mutiny]]. ===Post independence=== Upon [[Independence of India|independence]] and the subsequent [[Partition of India]] in 1947, four of the ten [[Gurkha]] regiments were transferred to the British Army. The rest of the [[British Indian Army]] was divided between the newly created nations of [[Republic of India]] and [[Republic of Pakistan]]. The [[Punjab Boundary Force]], which had been formed to help police the Punjab during the partition period, was disbanded,<ref>For the Punjab Boundary Force, see Daniel P. Marston, 'The Indian Army, Partition, and the Punjab Boundary Force, 1945–47,' War in History November 2009, vol. 16 no. 4 469–505</ref> and Headquarters Delhi and East Punjab Command was formed to administer the area. ==Conflicts and operations== ===First Kashmir War (1947)=== {{Main|Indo-Pakistani War of 1947}} Immediately after independence, tensions between India and Pakistan began to boil over, and the first of three full-scale wars between the two nations broke out over the then [[princely state]] of [[Kashmir]]. The Maharaja of Kashmir wanted to have stand still position. Since, Kashmir was Muslim majority state, Pakistan wanted to make Kashmir a Pakistani territory. In 1948, Pakistan invaded Kashmir, as a result, Maharaja Hari Singh appealed to India, and to [[Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma|Lord Mountbatten of Burma]], the Governor General, for help. He signed the Instrument of Accession to India. It took 2 weeks for Indian forces to reach war front. Indian troops were airlifted to Srinagar.<ref name="TC">{{cite journal|first=Tom Cooper|date=29 October 2003|title=Indo-Pakistani War, 1947–1949|publisher=ACIG|url=http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_321.shtml}}</ref> This contingent included [[General Thimayya]] who distinguished himself in the operation and in 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 LOC (Line of Control). An uneasy UN sponsored peace returned by the end of 1948 with Indian and Pakistani soldiers facing each other directly on the [[Line of Control]], which has since divided Indian-held Kashmir from Pakistan-held Kashmir. A number of UN resolutions (38–47) were passed calling for a plebiscite to be held in Kashmir to determine accession to India or Pakistan.<ref>[http://www.kashmiri-cc.ca/un/index.htm UN Resolutions]</ref> These resolutions were never accepted by India.<ref>[http://www.kashmiri-cc.ca/un/index.htm Resolutions]</ref> Tensions between India and Pakistan, largely over Kashmir, have never since been entirely eliminated. ===Invasion of Hyderabad (1948)=== [[File:Op Polo Surrender.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Major General]] [[General El Edroos|El Edroos]] (at right) offers his surrender of the Hyderabad State Forces to Major General (later General and Army Chief) [[Joyanto Nath Chaudhuri]] at [[Secunderabad]]]] {{Main|Operation Polo}} After the partition of India, the [[Hyderabad State|State of Hyderabad]], a princely state under the rule of a [[Nizam]], chose to remain independent. The [[Nizam of Hyderabad|Nizam]], refused to accede his state to the Union of India. The following stand-off between the [[Government of India]] and the Nizam ended on 12 September 1948 when India's then deputy prime minister [[Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel]] ordered Indian troops to secure the [[Hyderabad State|state]]. With 5 days of low-intensity fighting, the Indian Army, backed by a squadron of [[Hawker Tempest|Hawker Tempest aircraft]] of the [[Indian Air Force]], routed the Hyderabad State forces. Five infantry battalions and one armoured squadron of the Indian Army were engaged in the operation. The following day, the [[Hyderabad State|State of Hyderabad]] was proclaimed as a part of the [[Union of India]]. Major General [[Joyanto Nath Chaudhuri]], who led the [[Operation Polo]] was appointed the Military Governor of Hyderabad (1948–1949) to restore law and order. ===Medical assistance during Korean War (1950–1953)=== {{main|Korean War}} During the Korean War, India sent the [[60th (Parachute) Field Ambulance]] unit to aid the UN troops fighting against the Chinese and North Korean invasion of South Korea, though they decided against sending combat forces. The 60th PFA was included in the [[1st Commonwealth Division]]. In the aftermath of the war, Indian soldiers were also sent to Korea to peace-keep. ===Annexation of Goa, Daman and Diu (1961)=== {{Main|Portuguese-Indian War}} [[File:Vasco Da gama POW camp.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The Indian Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Pran Thapar (far right) with deposed Governor General of Portuguese India Manuel António Vassalo e Silva (seated centre) at a POW facility in Vasco Da Gama, Goa]] Even though the British and French vacated all their colonial possessions in the [[Indian subcontinent]], Portugal refused to relinquish control of its Indian colonies of [[Goa]], Daman and Diu. After repeated attempts by India to negotiate with Portugal for the territory were spurned by Portuguese prime minister and dictator, [[Antonio de Oliveira Salazar]], India launched [[Operation Vijay (1961)|Operation Vijay]] on 12 December 1961 to take Goa from the Portuguese. A small contingent of its troops entered Goa, Daman and Diu to capture and secure the territory. After a brief conflict, in which 31 Portuguese soldiers were killed, the [[Portuguese Navy]] frigate [[NRP Afonso de Albuquerque]] destroyed, and over 3,000 Portuguese captured, Portuguese General [[Manuel António Vassalo e Silva]] surrendered to Maj Gen KP Candeth (Kunhiraman Palat Kandoth) of the Indian Army, after twenty-six hours and Goa, Daman and Diu joined the Indian Union. ===Sino-Indian War (1962)=== {{Main|Sino-Indian War}} The cause of the war was a dispute over the sovereignty of the widely separated Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh border regions. Aksai Chin, claimed by India to belong to Kashmir and by China to be 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 the Indian and Chinese forces broke out as India insisted on the disputed [[McMahon Line]] being regarded as the international border between the two countries. Chinese troops claim to have not retaliated to the cross-border firing by Indian troops, despite sustaining losses.<ref>Bruce Bueno de Mesquita & David Lalman. ''War and Reason: Domestic and International Imperatives''. Yale University Press (1994), [http://books.google.com/books?id=jhVyb7m_m8MC&pg=PA200&dq=india+china+war+maxwell&lr=&as_brr=3&ei=u2WJSb3POIH4lQTkve2RAg&client=firefox-a#PPA201,M1 p. 201]. ISBN 978-0-300-05922-9.</ref> China's suspicion of India's involvement in [[Tibet]] created more rifts between the two countries.<ref>Alastair I. Johnston & Robert S. Ross. ''New Directions in the Study of China's Foreign Policy''. Stanford University Press (2006), [http://books.google.com/books?id=DCihrQEdPzAC&pg=PA86&dq=india+china+war+maxwell&lr=&as_brr=3&ei=u2WJSb3POIH4lQTkve2RAg&client=firefox-a#PPA99,M1 p. 99]. ISBN 978-0-8047-5363-0.</ref> In 1962, the Indian Army was ordered to move to the Thag La ridge located near the border between Bhutan and [[Arunachal Pradesh]] and about three miles (5&nbsp;km) north of the disputed McMahon Line. Meanwhile, Chinese troops too had made incursions into Indian-held territory and tensions between the two reached a new high when Indian forces discovered a road constructed by China in [[Aksai Chin]]. After a series of failed negotiations, the [[People's Liberation Army]] attacked Indian Army positions at the Thag La ridge. This move by China caught India by surprise and by 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 in both the North-West and North-Eastern parts of the border and captured vast 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 peaceful 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 to it from the United States, while China stated that it still held territory that it had staked diplomatic claim upon. The dividing line between the Indian and Chinese forces was named the [[Line of Actual Control]]. The poor decisions made by India's military commanders, and, indeed, its political leadership, raised several questions. The [[Henderson-Brooks Report|Henderson-Brooks & Bhagat committee]] was soon set up by the Government of India to determine the causes of the poor performance of the Indian Army. The report of China even after hostilities began and also criticised the decision to not allow the Indian Air Force to target Chinese transport lines out of fear of Chinese aerial counter-attack on Indian civilian areas. Much of the blame was also targeted at the incompetence of 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 still remains classified.<ref>Claude Arpi. ''India and her neighbourhood: a French observer's views''. Har-Anand Publications (2005), [http://books.google.com/books?id=RtLS3TPoan4C&pg=PA186 p. 186]. ISBN 978-81-241-1097-3.</ref> [[Neville Maxwell]] has written an account of the war.<ref>CenturyChina, www.centurychina.com/plaboard/uploads/1962war.htm</ref> ===Indo-Pakistani War of 1965=== {{Main|Indo-Pakistani War of 1965}} [[File:18Cav on move.jpg|thumb|Tanks of 18th Cavalry of the Indian Army attacking Pakistani positions during the 1965 war.]] 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 a clear winner in tactical and strategic terms.<ref>Dennis Kux's "India and the United States estranged democracies", 1941–1991, ISBN 1-4289-8189-6, DIANE Publishing, Pg 238</ref><ref>Dijkink, Gertjan. National identity and geopolitical visions: maps of pride and pain. Routledge, 1996. ISBN 0-415-13934-1.</ref><ref>Praagh, David. The greater game: India's race with destiny and China. McGill-Queen's Press – MQUP, 2003. ISBN 0-7735-2639-0.</ref> Pakistani President Sir[[Ayub Khan (Field Marshal)|Ayub Khan]] launched ''[[Operation Gibraltar]]'' in August 1965, during which several Pakistani paramilitary troops infiltrated into Indian-administered Kashmir and attempt to ignite an anti-India agitation in [[Jammu and Kashmir]]. Pakistani leaders believed that India, which was still recovering from the disastrous Sino-Indian War, would be unable to deal with a military thrust and a Kashmiri rebellion. India reacted swiftly and launched a counter offensive on Pakistan. Pakistan launched [[Operation Grand Slam]] in reply on 1 September, invading India's Chamb-Jaurian sector. In retaliation, the Indian Army launched a major offensive throughout 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 in-roads into Pakistan. India had its largest haul of Pakistani tanks when the offensive of Pakistan's 1st Armoured Division was blunted at the [[Battle of Asal Uttar]], which took place on 10 September near Khemkaran.<ref name=pradhan>{{cite book|last=R.D. Pradhan & Yashwantrao Balwantrao Chavan|title=1965 War, the Inside Story: Defence Minister Y.B. Chavan's Diary of India-Pakistan War''.|year=2007|publisher=Atlantic Publishers & Distributors|isbn=978-81-269-0762-5|page=47|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=ymYCJQjEGBUC&pg=PA47}}</ref> The biggest tank battle of the war came in the form of the [[Battle of Chawinda]], the largest tank battle in history after [[World War II]]. Pakistan's defeat at the [[Battle of Asal Uttar]] hastened the end of the conflict.<ref name=pradhan/> At the time of ceasefire declaration, India reported casualties of about 3,000 killed. On the other hand, it was estimated that more than 4,000 Pakistani soldiers were killed in the battle.<ref>Sumit Ganguly. "Pakistan". In [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/intoc.html ''India: A Country Study''] (James Heitzman and Robert L. Worden, editors). [[Library of Congress]] [[Federal Research Division]] (September 1995).</ref><ref name=encarta>[http://uk.encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_781531179/indo-pakistan_wars.html "Indo-Pakistan Wars"]. [[Microsoft Encarta]] 2008. [http://www.webcitation.org/5kwrG0An8 Archived] 31 October 2009.</ref><ref name="Hagerty">{{cite book |last = Thomas M. Leonard |title = Encyclopedia of the developing world, Volume 2 |publisher = Taylor & Francis, 2006 |isbn = 978-0-415-97663-3}}</ref> About 471 Pakistani tanks were either destroyed or captured by India. India lost a total of 128 tanks during the conflict.<ref name=pradhan/><ref>Spencer Tucker. ''Tanks: An Illustrated History of Their Impact''. ABC-CLIO (2004), [http://books.google.com/books?id=N481TmqiSiUC&pg=PA172 p. 172]. ISBN 978-1-57607-995-9.</ref> The decision to return to pre-war positions, following the [[Tashkent Declaration]], caused an outcry among the polity{{Who|date=April 2011}} in New Delhi. It was widely believed that India's decision to accept the ceasefire was due to political factors, and not military, since it was facing considerable pressure from the United States and the UN to stop hostilities.<ref>Sumit Ganguly. ''Conflict unending: India-Pakistan tensions since 1947''. Columbia University Press (2002), [http://books.google.com/books?id=xn_QVYLy6ocC&pg=PA45 p. 45]. ISBN 978-0-231-12369-3.</ref> ===Indo-Sino Conflict of 1967=== The 1967 Sino-Indian skirmish also known as the [[Chola incident]], was a day-long military conflict between Indian troops and troops of the Chinese People's Liberation Army in Sikkim, who had infiltrated the area. The end of the battle saw the Chinese Army leave Sikkim.<ref>"History of Modern China" Page 288</ref><ref>[http://www.millenniumpost.in/NewsContent.aspx?NID=11769 50 years after Sino-Indian war | Millennium Post]. Millenniumpost.in (16 May 1975). Retrieved 12 July 2013.</ref> ===Operation against the Naxalites during 1971=== In the supervision of [[Indira Gandhi]] during the [[President's rule]] in 1971, the Indian Army along with the [[Indian police]] launched ''[[Operation Steeplechase]],'' a gigantic "counter-insurgency" operation against the [[Naxalites]], which resulted in the death of hundreds of Naxalites and imprisonment of more than 20,000 suspects and cadres including senior leaders.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Maoist Insurgency in Nepal: Revolution in the Twenty-first Century |chapter=Part V: Military and state dimension |chapterurl=http://books.google.co.in/books?id=KtGNAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA208&output=text#c_top |page=208 |first1=Mahendra |last1=Lawoti |first2=Anup Kumar |last2=Pahari |publisher=[[Routledge]] |location=London |year=2009 |isbn=978-11-35261-68-9 |quote=The second turning point came in the wake of the 1971 Bangladesh war of independence which India supported with armed troops. With large contingents of Indian Army troops amassed in the West Bengal border with what was then East Pakistan, the Government of Indira Gandhi used the opening provided by President's Rule to divert sections of the army to assist the police in decisive counter–insurgency drives across Naxal–impacted areas. "Operation Steeplechase," a police and army joint anti–Naxalite undertaking, was launched in July–August 1971. By the end of "Operation Steeplechase" over 20,000 suspected Naxalites were imprisoned and including senior leaders and cadre, and hundreds had been killed in police encounters. It was a massive counter–insurgency undertaking by any standards.}}</ref> The army was also assisted by a [[brigade]] of [[Para Commandos (India)|para commandos]] and the [[Paramilitary forces of India|Indian paramilitary]]. The operation was choreographed in October 1969, and Lieutenant General [[J.F.R. Jacob]] was enjoined by Govind Narain, the [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)#Home Secretary and other senior officials|Home Secretary of India]], that "there should be no publicity and no records" and Jacob's request to be presented with written orders was also repudiate by [[Sam Manekshaw]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Hello, Bastar : The Untold Story of India's Maoist Movement |url=http://books.google.co.in/books?id=IZ83V3JLXFMC&pg=PA23&output=text#c_top |first=Rahul |last=Pandita |pages=23–24 |publisher=Westland (Tranquebar Press) |year=2011 |location=Chennai |ISBN=978-93-80658-34-6 |oclc=754482226 |quote=Meanwhile, the Congress government led by Indira Gandhi decided to send in the army and and tackle the problem militarily. A combined operation called Operation Steeplechase was launched jointly by military, paramilitary and state police forces in West Bengal, Bihar and Orissa.<br />In Kolkata, Lt General J.F.R. Jacob of the Indian Army's Eastern Command received two very important visitors in his office in October 1969. One was the army chief General Sam Manekshaw and the other was the home secretary Govind Narain. Jacob was told of the Centre's plan to send in the army to break the Naxal. More than 40 years later, Jacob would recall how he had asked for more troops, some of which he got along with a brigade of para commandos. When he asked his boss to give him something in writing, Manekshaw declined, saying, 'Nothing in writing.' while secretary Narain added that there should be no publicity and no records.}}</ref> ===Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971=== {{Main|Indo-Pakistani War of 1971}} {{See also|Battle of Longewala|Battle of Hilli|Battle of Basantar}} An independence movement broke out in [[East Pakistan]] which was [[Operation Searchlight|brutally crushed]] by Pakistani forces. Due to large-scale [[1971 Bangladesh atrocities|atrocities]] against them, thousands of [[Bengali people|Bengalis]] took refuge in neighbouring India causing a major refugee crisis there. In early 1971, India declared its full-support for the Bengali rebels, known as [[Mukti Bahini]], and Indian agents were extensively involved in covert operations to aid them. On 20 November 1971, Indian Army moved the 14 Punjab Battalion [[45 Cavalry]] into Garibpur, a strategically important town near India's border with East Pakistan, and successfully [[Battle of Garibpur|captured it]]. The following day, more [[Battle of Atgram|clashes]] took place between Indian and Pakistani forces. Wary of India's growing involvement in the Bengali rebellion, the [[Pakistan Air Force]] (PAF) launched a preemptive strike on 10 Indian air bases at Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Agra, Adampur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Uttarlai and Sirsa at 1745 hours on 3 December. This aerial offensive, however, failed to accomplish its stated objectives and gave India its excuse to declare a full-scale war against Pakistan the same day. By midnight, the Indian Army, accompanied by Indian Air Force, launched a major three-pronged assault into East Pakistan. The Indian Army won several battles on the eastern front including the decisive of [[battle of Hilli]], which was the only front where the Pakistani Army was able to build up considerable resistance. The operation also included a battalion-level airborne operation on Tangail which resulted in the capitulation of all resistance within five days.<ref>Owen Bennett Jones. ''Pakistan: Eye of the Storm''. Yale University Press (2003), [http://books.google.com/books?id=ONZpltd6UZ8C&pg=RA1-PA177 p. 177]. ISBN 978-0-300-10147-8.</ref> India's massive early gains was largely attributed to the speed and flexibility with which Indian armoured divisions moved across East Pakistan.<ref>Eric H. Arnett. ''Military capacity and the risk of war: China, India, Pakistan, and Iran''. Oxford University Press (1997), [http://books.google.com/books?id=eOgj3HHDnJkC&pg=PA134 p. 134]. ISBN 978-0-19-829281-4.</ref> [[File:Basantar2.jpg|thumb|Indian Army personnel celebrate victory at the end [[Battle of Basantar]] on top of a knocked out Pakistani Patton tank.]] Pakistan launched a counter-attack against India on the western front. On 4 December 1971, the A company of the 23rd Battalion of India's [[Punjab Regiment (India)|Punjab Regiment]] detected and intercepted the movement of the 51st Infantry Brigade of the Pakistani Army near Ramgarh, Rajasthan. The [[battle of Longewala]] ensued during which the A company, though being 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 during the battle while only 2 Indian soldiers lost their lives. Pakistan suffered another major defeat on the western front during the [[battle of Basantar]] which was fought from 4 December to 16th. By the end of the battle, about 66 Pakistani tanks were destroyed and 40 more were captured. In return, Pakistani forces were able to destroy only 11 Indian tanks. None of the numerous Pakistani offensives on the Western front materialised.<ref>S. Paul Kapur. ''Dangerous deterrent: nuclear weapons proliferation and conflict in South Asia''. Stanford University Press (2007), [http://books.google.com/books?id=6Qbovlt-eZ4C&pg=PA17 p. 17]. ISBN 978-0-8047-5550-4.</ref> By 16 December, Pakistan had lost sizeable territory on both eastern and western fronts. Under the command of [[Jagjit Singh Arora|Lt. General J.S. Arora]], the three corps of the Indian Army, which had invaded East Pakistan, entered [[Dhaka]] and forced Pakistani forces to surrender on 16 December 1971, one day after the conclusion of the battle of Basantar. After Pakistan's Lt. General [[Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi|A.A.K. Niazi]] signed the Instrument of Surrender, India took more than 90,000 Pakistani [[prisoners of war]]. At the time of the signing of the Instrument of Surrender, 11,000 Pakistani soldiers were killed-in-action while India suffered only 3,500 battle-related deaths.<ref name=encarta/> In addition, Pakistan lost 220 tanks during the battle compared to India's 69.<ref>Encyclopedia of the Developing World, [http://books.google.com/books?id=3mE04D9PMpAC&pg=PA806 p. 806].</ref> In 1972, the [[Simla Agreement]] was signed between the two countries and tensions simmered. However, there were occasional spurts in diplomatic tensions which culminated into increased military vigilance on both sides. ===Siachen conflict (1984)=== {{Main|Siachen conflict}} [[File:Dogra Siachen.jpg|thumb|right|A memorial at the headquarters of the [[Dogra Regiment]] of the Indian Army in remembrance of members of the regiment who died or served in the Siachen Conflict]] The [[Siachen Glacier]], though a part of the Kashmir region, was not officially demarcated on maps prepared and exchanged between the two sides in 1947. As a consequence, prior to the 1980s, neither India nor Pakistan maintained any permanent military presence in the region. However, Pakistan began conducting and allowing a series of mountaineering expeditions to the glacier beginning in the 1950s. By the early 1980s, the government of Pakistan was granting special expedition permits to mountaineers and United States Army maps deliberately showed Siachen as a part of Pakistan. This practice gave rise to the contemporary meaning of the term ''[[oropolitics]]''. India, possibly irked by these developments, launched [[Operation Meghdoot]] in April 1984. An entire battalion of the Kumaon Regiment was airlifted to the glacier. Pakistani forces responded quickly and clashes between the two followed. Indian Army secured the strategic [[Sia La]] and [[Bilafond La]] mountain passes and by 1985, more than {{convert|1000|sqmi|km2|sigfig=2}} of territory, 'claimed' by Pakistan, was under Indian control.<ref>Edward W. Desmond. [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,958254-2,00.html "The Himalayas War at the Top Of the World"]. ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' (31 July 1989).</ref> The Indian Army continues to control all of the [[Siachen Glacier]] and its tributary glaciers. Pakistan made several unsuccessful attempts to regain control over Siachen. In late 1987, Pakistan mobilised about 8,000 troops and garrisoned them near Khapalu, aiming to capture Bilafond La.<ref>Vivek Chadha. ''Low Intensity Conflicts in India: An Analysis''. SAGE (2005), [http://books.google.com/books?id=ApzUuLiO0jYC&pg=PA105 p. 105]. ISBN 978-0-7619-3325-0.</ref> 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.<ref>Pradeep Barua. ''The State at War in South Asia''. University of Nebraska Press (2005), [http://books.google.com/books?id=FIIQhuAOGaIC&pg=PA256 p. 256]. ISBN 978-0-8032-1344-9.</ref> Further unsuccessful attempts to reclaim positions were launched by Pakistan in 1990, 1995, 1996 and 1999, most notably in Kargil that year. India continues to maintain a strong military presence in the region despite extremely inhospitable conditions. The conflict over Siachen is regularly cited as an example of [[mountain warfare]].<ref>Tim McGirk with Aravind Adiga. [http://www.time.com/time/asia/covers/501050711/story.html "War at the Top of the World"]. ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' (4 May 2005).</ref> The highest peak in the Siachen glacier region, [[Saltoro Kangri]], could be viewed as strategically important for India because of its immense altitude which could enable the Indian forces to monitor some Pakistani or Chinese movements in the immediate area.<ref>Sanjay Dutt. ''War and Peace in Kargil Sector''. APH Publishing (2000), [http://books.google.com/books?id=XlHplc3pr1IC&pg=PA389 p. 389-90]. ISBN 978-81-7648-151-9.</ref> Maintaining control over Siachen poses several logistical challenges for the Indian Army. Several infrastructure projects were constructed in the region, including a helipad 21,000 feet (6,400&nbsp;m) above the sea level.<ref>Nick Easen. [http://edition.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/asiapcf/south/05/20/siachen.kashmir/ Siachen: The world's highest cold war]. [[CNN]] (17 September 2003).</ref> In 2004, Indian Army was spending an estimated US$2 million a month to support its personnel stationed in the region.<ref>Arun Bhattacharjee. [http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/FI23Df04.html "On Kashmir, hot air and trial balloons"]. ''[[Asia Times]]'' (23 September 2004).</ref> ===Counter-insurgency activities=== The Indian Army has played a crucial role in the past, fighting [[Insurgency|insurgent]]s and terrorists within the nation. The army launched [[Operation Blue Star]] and [[Operation Woodrose]] in the 1980s to combat [[Sikh]] insurgents. The army, along with [[Paramilitary forces of India|some paramilitary forces]], has the prime responsibility of maintaining [[law and order (politics)|law and order]] in the troubled [[Jammu and Kashmir]] region. The Indian Army also sent a contingent to Sri Lanka in 1987 as a part of the [[Indian Peace Keeping Force]]. ===Kargil conflict (1999)=== {{Main|Kargil War}} [[File:Kargil Op Vijay Memorial 1.jpg|thumb|200px|Memorial of Operation Vijay.]] In 1998, India carried out [[Pokhran-II|nuclear tests]] and a few days later, Pakistan responded by more [[Chagai-I|nuclear tests]] giving both countries [[nuclear deterrence]] capability, although India had exploded three hydrogen bombs which Pakistan lacks. Diplomatic tensions eased after the [[Lahore Summit]] was held in 1999. The sense of optimism was short-lived, however, since in mid-1999 Pakistani paramilitary forces and Kashmiri insurgents captured deserted, but strategic, Himalayan heights in the [[Kargil district]] of India. These had been vacated by the Indian army during the onset of the inhospitable winter and were supposed to reoccupied in spring. The regular Pakistani troops who took control of these areas received important support, both in the form of arms and supplies, from Pakistan. Some of the heights under their control, which also included the ''Tiger Hill'', overlooked the vital [[Srinagar]]-[[Leh]] Highway (NH 1A), [[Batalik]] and [[Dras]]. Once the scale of the Pakistani incursion was realised, the Indian Army quickly mobilised about 200,000 troops and [[Operation Vijay (1999)|Operation Vijay]] was launched. However, since the heights were under Pakistani control, India was in a clear strategic disadvantage. From their [[observation post]]s, the Pakistani forces had a clear line-of-sight to lay down [[indirect fire|indirect artillery fire]] on NH 1A, inflicting heavy casualties on the Indians.<ref name="NLI">[http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_5-5-2003_pg7_14 Indian general praises Pakistani valour at Kargil] 5 May 2003 Daily Times, Pakistan</ref> This was a serious problem for the Indian Army as the highway was its main logistical and supply route.<ref>Kashmir in the Shadow of War By Robert Wirsing Published by M.E. Sharpe, 2003 ISBN 0-7656-1090-6 pp36</ref> Thus, the Indian Army's first priority was to recapture peaks that were in the immediate vicinity of NH1a. This resulted in Indian troops first targeting the Tiger Hill and Tololing complex in Dras.<ref>Managing Armed Conflicts in the 21st Century By Adekeye Adebajo, Chandra Lekha Sriram Published by Routledge pp192,193</ref> 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 NH1a, was successfully recaptured by Indian forces on 14 June.<ref>The State at War in South Asia By Pradeep Barua Published by U of Nebraska Press Page 261</ref> Though most of the posts in the vicinity of the highway were cleared by mid-June, some parts of the highway near Drass witnessed sporadic shelling until the end of the war. Once NH1a area was cleared, the Indian Army turned to driving the invading force back across the Line of Control. The [[Battle of Tololing]], among other assaults, slowly tilted the combat in India's favour. Nevertheless, some of the posts put up a stiff resistance, including Tiger Hill (Point 5140) that fell only later in the war. As the operation was fully underway, about 250 artillery guns were brought in to clear the infiltrators in the posts that were in the [[Sightline|line-of-sight]]. In many vital points, neither artillery nor air power could dislodge the outposts manned by 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 ascent that had to be made on peaks as high as 18,000 feet (5,500 m). Two months into the conflict, Indian troops had slowly retaken most of the ridges they had lost;<ref>[http://www.lrb.co.uk/v23/n08/ali_01_.html ''Bitter Chill of Winter''] – [[Tariq Ali]], [[London Review of Books]]</ref><ref>{{cite book | author=Colonel Ravi Nanda | title=Kargil : A Wake Up Call | publisher=Vedams Books | year=1999 | isbn=81-7095-074-0}} [https://www.vedamsbooks.com/no14953.htm Online summary of the Book]</ref> according to official count, an estimated 75%–80% of the intruded area and nearly all high ground was back under Indian control. Following the Washington accord on 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, the [[United Jihad Council]] (an umbrella for all extremist groups) rejected Pakistan's plan for a climb-down, instead deciding to fight on.<ref>Alastair Lawson. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/386537.stm "Pakistan and the Kashmir militants"]. [[BBC News]] (5 July 1999).</ref> The Indian Army launched its final attacks in the last week of July; as soon as the Drass subsector had been cleared of Pakistani forces, the fighting ceased on 26 July. The day has since been marked as ''Kargil Vijay Diwas'' (Kargil Victory Day) in India. By the end of the war, India had resumed control of all territory south and east of the Line of Control, as was established in July 1972 per the Shimla Accord. By the time all hostilities had ended, the number of Indian soldiers killed during the conflict stood at 527,<ref>A.K. Chakraborty. [http://pib.nic.in/feature/feyr2000/fjul2000/f210720001.html "Kargil War brings into sharp focus India's commitment to peace"]. Government of India Press Information Bureau (July 2000).</ref> while more than 700 regular members of the Pakistani Army were killed.<ref>Michael Edward Brown. ''Offense, defence, and war''. MIT Press (2004), [http://books.google.com/books?id=e7bx2eNsc7wC&pg=PA393 p. 393].</ref> The number of Islamist fighters, also known as ''Mujahideen'', killed by Indian Armed Forces during the conflict stood at about 3,000.{{Citation needed|date=March 2013}} ===United Nations peacekeeping missions=== {{Main|Indian Army United Nations peacekeeping missions}} The Indian Army has undertaken numerous [[UN peacekeeping missions]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/dpko/pastops.shtml |title=Past peacekeeping operations |publisher=United Nations Peacekeeping |accessdate=31 March 2011}}</ref> As of 30 June 2014, 157 Indians have been killed during such operations.<ref>[http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/fatalities/documents/stats_2.pdf United Nations peacekeeping - Fatalities By Year up to 30 June 2014]</ref> The Indian army also provided paramedical units to facilitate the withdrawal of the sick and wounded in the [[Korean War]]. ==Major exercises== ===Operation Brasstacks=== [[Operation Brasstacks]] was launched by the Indian Army in November 1986 to simulate a full-scale war on the western border. The exercise was the largest ever conducted in India and comprised nine infantry, three mechanised, three armoured and one air assault division, and included three independent armoured brigades. Amphibious assault exercises were also conducted with the [[Indian Navy]]. Brasstacks also allegedly incorporated nuclear attack drills. It led to tensions with Pakistan and a subsequent rapprochement in mid-1987.<ref>{{cite web|author=John Pike |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/brass-tacks.htm |title=Brass Tacks |publisher=Globalsecurity.org |accessdate=31 March 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl1811/18110990.htm |title=An exercise in anticipation |publisher=Hinduonnet.com |author=John Cherian |date=8 June 2001 |accessdate=31 March 2011}}</ref> ===Exercise Ashwamedha=== Indian Army tested its network centric warfare capabilities in the exercise Ashwamedha. The exercise was held in the Thar desert, in which over 300,000 troops participated.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.india-defence.com/reports/3115 |title=Indian Army tests network centric warfare capability in Ashwamedha war games |publisher=India-defence.com |accessdate=1 June 2012}}</ref> Asymmetric warfare capability was also tested by the Indian Army during the exercise.<ref>[http://www.dailyindia.com/show/138168.php/Ashwamedha-reinforces-importance-of-foot-soldiers 'Ashwamedha' reinforces importance of foot soldiers]{{dead link|date=June 2012}}</ref> ===Yuddh Abhyas=== [[File:Yudh Abhyas 2012.ogv|thumb|Yudh Abhyas 2012 – U.S. and Indian Army military exercise Trailer(Produced and Shot by SSG Robert Ham. Cultural Advisor, SPC Mohan Pagonda. Music by Celldweller. Song – ShutEmDown)]] [[File:Yudh Abhyas 2013, Coalition color guard.jpg|right|thumb|Coalition color guard during Yudh Abhyas 2013.]] Exercise Yuddh Abhyas is part of an ongoing series of joint exercises between the Indian and United States Armies since 2005, agreed upon under the New Framework of 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 is currently underway since 5 March 2012 in two locations under the South Western Command. The US Army contingent is from the [[United States Army Pacific|US Army Pacific (USARPAC)]], part of the [[United States Pacific Command|United States Pacific Command (USPACOM)]]. The Command Post Exercise has an engineer brigade headquarters with its planners from both sides, while the Field Training Exercise comprises troops of 2nd Squadron 14th US Cavalry Regiment from 25th Infantry Division, Hawaii, along with a platoon of Strykers, and a similar sized Indian Army contingent of mechanised infantry. The event is all the more interesting as a number of key surveillance, communications and Improvised Explosive Devices detection and neutralisation technologies, available with both sides have been fielded in the exercise.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defence.pk/forums/indian-defence/165331-indo-us-army-exercise-yudh-abhyas.html |title=Indo-US Army Exercise Yudh Abhyas |publisher=Defence.pk |date=14 March 2012 |accessdate=1 June 2012}}</ref> The eighth edition of Yudh Abhyas had conducted with The Indian army's 99th Mountain Brigade and the 1st Bde. Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, participated in Yudh Abhyas 2013 exercise at [[Fort Bragg]], N.C. Other units represented were the 3rd Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, from the U.S. forces, and from India, the 2nd Battalion, 5th Gurka Rifles; the 50th Independent Para Bde.; and the 54th Engineers Regt. U.S. Army-Pacific sponsored a bilateral training exercise with the Indian army, 3–17 May May 2013, that focused on the two countries' cultures, weapons training and tactics<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hawaiiarmyweekly.com/2013/05/22/yudh-abhyas-enhances-u-s-indian-army-partnership/ |title=Yudh Abhyas enhances U.S., Indian Army partnership |publisher=Hawaii Army Weekly |date=2013-05-22 |accessdate=2014-08-11}}</ref><ref>http://www.ausa.org/publications/armymagazine/archive/2013/08/Documents/Steele_August2013.pdf</ref> ===Exercise Shakti=== Exercise Shakti is an ongoing series of joint exercises between the Indian and French armies since 2011. Exercise Shakti is conducted to practice and validate anti terrorist operations and drills in snowbound and mountainous areas. The second joint military exercise between the two countries was held in September 2013 with the first one being held in India in October 2011. The theme of the exercise is to conduct platoon level joint counter insurgency operations in high altitude mountainous terrain under the UN Charter, thus emphasizing the shared concerns of both countries about 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 better responsiveness to a common threat. The twelve day exercise with France Army is scheduled to be conducted in multiple modules in order to achieve complete integration between the two contingents at every stage.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/indo-french-joint-army-exercise-shakti-2013-begins-today_875147.html |title=Indo-French joint Army exercise Shakti 2013 begins today |publisher=Zeenews.india.com |date= |accessdate=2014-08-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.161880577341913.1073741956.123788044484500&type=1 |title=INDO - FRENCH JOINT ARMY EXERCISE SHAKTI 2013 |publisher=Facebook |date= |accessdate=2014-08-11}}</ref> ===Exercise Shoorveer=== On first week of April 2012 Indian Army has launched a massive summer exercise in the Rajasthan desert involving over 50,000 troops and several hundred artillery guns and infantry combat vehicles as part of its efforts to shore up its battle worthiness on the western front with Pakistan. The exercise, code-named "Shoorveer", is being conducted by the Jaipur-based South Western Command and will end in the first week of May. This is the largest ever exercise conducted by Indian army since 1947. The collective training started with honing up of basic battle procedures and tactical drills at tactical level. A number of field firings are being carried out to check the accuracy and lethality of the weapon systems. A large number of innovations and modifications carried out by units and formations to enhance combat power are being tested in the field. The troops will build the momentum of training gradually, with increased combat tempo to set the stage for a major joint army-air force exercise in the later part of the exercise.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.facenfacts.com/NewsDetails/24655/indian-army-gears-up-for-war-game-in-rajasthan-desert.htm |title=Indian Army gears up for war game in Rajasthan desert |publisher=FacenFacts |date=25 April 2012 |accessdate=1 June 2012}}</ref> ===Exercise Rudra Akrosh=== In May 2012 Indian army start testing the preparedness level of its units and to validate new age technology, battle concepts, organisational structures and networked operations, Western Army Command is conducting its summer training exercises in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir. "Codenamed Exercise Rudra Akrosh, the war games are aimed to validate the operational and transformational effectiveness of various formations under the Western Army Command. The exercise which entered its culmination phase was also witnessed by Western Army Commander Lt General S R Ghosh. It includes various summer training manoeuvres where approximately 20,000 troops tested battle skills with state-of-the-art weapon systems in complete integration of the fighter and transport aircraft pitched in by the Indian Air Force. Besides interacting with the soldiers and officers coordinating the war games, Lt Gen Ghosh witnessed various battle manoeuvres by infantry troops, mechanised infantry, tanks, artillery, Heliborne troops and surveillance equipment. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and attack helicopters were also coopted in the operational scenario. Recently, the Jaipur-based South Western Command- also known as Sapta Shakti command- conducted its summer war games with more than 50,000 troops, latest weaponry and air assets.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/western-army-command-conducts-summer-training-exercises/997533.html |title=Western Army Command conducts summer training exercises, IBN Live News |publisher=Ibnlive.in.com |accessdate=1 June 2012}}</ref> ===Exercise Nomadic Elephant=== The Indian Army has been conducting training exercises with the [[Mongolian Army]]. The first exercise took place in 2004, and these exercises have since been taking place every year. In 2012, the exercise took place in [[Belgaum]], and in June 2013, they were held in Mongolia. The aim of the exercises is to enhance counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations, and conduct peacekeeping operations under the mandate of the United Nation.<ref name=bs11j13>{{cite news|title=India, Mongolia engage in joint military exercises|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/india-mongolia-engage-in-joint-military-exercises-113061100792_1.html|accessdate=27 June 2013|newspaper=Business Standard|date=11 June 2013}}</ref><ref>[https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.142199665976671.1073741891.123788044484500&type=1 Exercise Nomadic Elephant, Indo Mongolian Joint Military Exercise]. Facebook (24 June 2013). Retrieved 12 July 2013.</ref> ==Today== [[File:Smerch 30MM hemant rawat (11).jpg|right|thumb|The [[BM-30 Smerch]] 9A52-2T [[Multiple rocket launcher|MRL]] is a crucial component of the Indian Army's strike capabilities.]] ===Combat doctrine=== 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 attack at a point of Indian choosing. The Indian Army is large enough to devote several corps to the strike role. Currently, the army is also looking at enhancing its [[special forces]] capabilities. With the role of India increasing and the requirement for protection of India's interest in far off shores become important, the Indian Army and Indian Navy are jointly planning to set up a marine brigade.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/100770/India/army-and-navy-plan-to-set-up-a-marine-brigade.html |title=Army and navy plan to set up a marine brigade |publisher=Indiatoday.intoday.in |date=9 June 2010 |accessdate=1 June 2012}}</ref> ===Personnel=== The Indian Army is a voluntary service and although a provision for military [[conscription]] exists in the [[Indian constitution]], it has never been imposed. According to the [[International Institute for Strategic Studies]], in 2010 the army had a strength of 1,129,900 active personnel and 960,000 reserve personnel.<ref name="iiss2010">[[#IISS2010|IISS 2010]], pp. 360</ref> Of those in reserve 160,000 were in the [[Indian Territorial Army]], however only 40,000 of those regularly report for duty. This makes the Indian Army the world's largest standing [[volunteer military|volunteer army]].<ref name=SinghCOAS>{{cite web|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-03-31/india/28144490_1_yudh-sena-medal-indian-army-rajput-regiment|title=General V K Singh takes over as new Indian Army chief|date=31 March 2010|work=[[The Times of India]]|accessdate=31 March 2010}}</ref><ref>Page, Jeremy. [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article3338199.ece "Comic starts adventure to find war heroes"]. ''[[The Times]]'' (9 February 2008).</ref> The ranks of the Indian Army can be found at [[Army ranks and insignia of India]], and for the most part follow the British Army tradition. ===Infantry regiments=== {{Main|List of regiments of the Indian Army}} [[File:Yudh Abhyas 2013, 2nd Batallion, 5th Gurkha Rifles.jpg|right|thumb|Soldiers of the 99th Mountain Brigade's 2nd Battalion, [[5 Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force)|5 Gorkha Rifles]], during Yudh Abhyas 2013.]] Upon its inception, the Indian Army inherited the British Army's organizational 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 and take great pride in the regiment to which they are assigned and generally spend their entire career within the regiment. Infantry regiments of the Indian Army recruit based on certain selection criteria, such as on regional, ethnicity, or religion such as the [[Assam Regiment]], [[Jat Regiment]], and [[Sikh Regiment]] respectively. Most of them continue the heritage of regiments raised under the Raj, but the [[Ladakh Scouts]], [[Arunachal Scouts]], and [[Sikkim Scouts]], specialised in border defense, have been raised since independence. Over the years various political and military factions have tried to dissolve the unique selection criteria process of the regiments over a fear that loyalty to the regiment or its ethnic people opposed to loyalty to the union of India and have succeeded somewhat with the creation of ethnic-less, religion-less, non-regional regiments, such as the Brigade of Guards and Parachute Regiment, but have generally met with little success or gained popular support amongst the rank and file Jawans. [[File:Indian Army-Rajput regiment.jpeg|right|thumb|Soldiers of the [[Rajput Regiment]]]] [[File:Indian Army-Sikh Light Infantry regiment.jpeg|right|thumb|Soldiers of the [[Sikh Light Infantry]]]] [[File:Indian Army-Madras regiment.jpeg|right|thumb|Soldiers of the [[Madras Regiment]]]] '''Regiments in order of seniority within the Indian Army are:'''<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/LAND-FORCES/Units/Infantry.html?layout=default | title=Infantry Regiments | publisher=Bharat Rakshak | year=2008 | accessdate=24 January 2014}}</ref> * [[Brigade of the Guards]] * [[Parachute Regiment (India)|Parachute Regiment]] * [[Mechanised Infantry Regiment]] * [[Punjab Regiment (India)|Punjab Regiment]] * [[The Madras Regiment]] * [[The Grenadiers]] * [[Maratha Light Infantry]] * [[Rajputana Rifles]] * [[Rajput Regiment]] * [[Jat Regiment]] * [[Sikh Regiment]] * [[Sikh Light Infantry]] * [[Dogra Regiment]] * [[The Garhwal Rifles]] * [[Kumaon Regiment]] * [[Assam Regiment]] * [[Bihar Regiment]] * [[Mahar Regiment]] * [[Jammu & Kashmir Rifles]] * [[Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry|Jammu & Kashmir Light Infantry]] * [[Naga Regiment]] * [[1 Gorkha Rifles|1 Gorkha Rifles (The Malaun Regiment)]] * [[3 Gorkha Rifles]] * [[4 Gorkha Rifles]] * [[5 Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force)]] * [[8 Gorkha Rifles]] * [[9 Gorkha Rifles]] * [[11 Gorkha Rifles]] * [[Ladakh Scouts]] * [[Rashtriya Rifles]] * [[Arunachal Scouts]] * [[Sikkim Scouts]] ===Artillery regiments=== [[File:Pinaka.JPG|thumb|200px|[[Pinaka Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher]]s were used during the [[Kargil War]]]] The [[Regiment of Artillery]] once constituted a formidable operational arm of Indian Army, but consistent failures to import or produce modern artillery since 1987 have now reduced it to "a point of near-helplessness".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140321/DEFREG03/303210026 |title=Upgraded Indian Howitzers Cleared for Summer Trials |last1=RAGHUVSNSHI |first1=VIVEK |date=21 March 2014 |website=www.defensenews.com |publisher=Gannett Government Media |accessdate=21 March 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/inside-indias-defence-acquisition-mess/article3255466.ece |title=Inside India's defence acquisition mess |last1=Swami |first1=Praveen |date=29 March 2012 |work=The Hindu|accessdate=4 January 2014}}</ref> During the [[Kargil War]], it was the Indian Artillery that inflicted the most amount of damage.<ref>http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/indian-artillery-inflicted-maximum-damage-to-pak-during-kargil_669140.html</ref> The role played by the artillery was praised by the top army brass, the divisional commander, a brigade commander and a battalion commander. Two of the officers were then [[Ved Prakash Malik| General V.P. Malik]], then [[Sundararajan Padmanabhan| Lieutenant General S. Padmanabhan]]<ref name=IDR>http://www.indiandefencereview.com/spotlights/battle-winning-role-of-the-gunners-in-kargil-war/</ref> both of whom went on to serve as [[Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Chief of Army Staff]]. Historically it takes its lineage from [[Moghul]] Emperor [[Babur]] who is popularly credited with introduction of Artillery in India, in the [[Battle of Panipat (1526)|Battle of Panipat in 1526]].{{Citation needed|date=July 2010}} However evidence of earlier use of gun by [[Bahamani Sultanate|Bahmani Kings]] in the Battle of Adoni in 1368 and King Mohammed Shah of Gujrat in fifteenth century have been recorded.{{Citation needed|date=July 2010}} ===Armoured regiments=== There are 63 armoured regiments in the Indian Army. These include the following historic regiments dating back to the nineteenth century or earlier: [[1st Duke of York's Own Skinner's Horse|1st (Skinner's) Horse]], the [[2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse)]], [[3rd Cavalry (India)|3rd Cavalry]], [[4th Duke of Cambridge's Own Hodson's Horse|4th (Hodson's) Horse]], [[7th Light Cavalry]], [[8th King George's Own Light Cavalry|8th Light Cavalry]], [[9th Royal Deccan Horse|9th (Deccan) Horse]], [[14th Prince of Wales's Own Scinde Horse|14th (Scinde) Horse]], [[The Poona Horse|17th (Poona) Horse]], [[15th Lancers]], [[16th Light Cavalry]], [[18th Cavalry]], 20th Lancers, and the [[The Central India Horse (21st King George V's Own Horse)|21st (Central India) Horse]]. A substantial number of additional units designated as either "Cavalry" or "Armoured" Regiments have been raised since Independence. ===Equipment=== {{Main|Equipment of the Indian Army|List of active Indian military aircraft}} Most of the army equipment is imported, but efforts are being made to manufacture indigenous equipment. The [[Defence Research and Development Organisation]] has developed a range of weapons for the Indian Army ranging from small arms, artillery, radars and the [[Arjun (tank)|Arjun]] tank. All Indian Military small-arms are manufactured under the umbrella administration of the [[Ordnance Factories Board]], with principal Firearm manufacturing facilities in Ichhapore, [[Cossipore]], Kanpur, Jabalpur and Tiruchirapalli. The Indian National Small Arms System ([[INSAS]]) rifle, which is successfully inducted by Indian Army since 1997 is a product of the [[Ishapore Rifle Factory]], while ammunition is manufactured at Khadki and possibly at Bolangir. In 2014, Army chief General Bikram Singh said 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Army-running-low-on-ammunation/articleshow/32569909.cms |title=Army running low on ammunition |last1=Pandit |first1=Rajat |date=24 March 2014 |website=indiatimes.com |publisher=TNN |accessdate=24 March 2014}}</ref> [[File:Indian Army Rudra MK-IV.jpg|thumb|200px|[[HAL Rudra]]]] '''Aircraft -''' The [[Army Aviation Corps (India)|Army Aviation Corps]] is the main body of the Indian Army for tactical air transport, reconnaissance, and medical evacuation, while [[Indian Air Force]]'s helicopter assets are responsible for assisting the army troop transport and close air support. It operates around 150 helicopters. The Indian army had projected a requirement for a helicopter that can carry loads of up to 750&nbsp;kg heights of {{convert|23000|ft|m}} 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 [[HAL Light Observation Helicopter]] to replace its ageing fleet of [[Aérospatiale Alouette III|Chetaks]] and [[Aérospatiale Alouette II|Cheetahs]], some of which were inducted more than three decades ago.<ref>[http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/hal-developing-light-choppers-for-highaltitude-operations/article5350865.ece HAL developing light choppers for high-altitude operations]</ref><ref>[]</ref> On 13 Oct 2012, The defence minister has given the control of attack helicopters to Indian Army from Indian Air force.<ref>{{cite news |title=Army to get attack helicopters: Defence Ministry |author=Gautam Datt|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/army-to-get-attack-helicopters-defence-ministry/1/224587.html |newspaper= Mail Today (epaper)|date=13 October 2012 |accessdate=30 November 2012}}</ref> [[File:IndianArmyDelhi.JPG|thumb|200px|Uniform of the [[Assam Regiment]].]] '''Uniforms -'''[[File:Camouflaged Indian Army soldiers carrying INSAS Rifle (right) and a Dragunov Sniper rife..jpg|right|200px|thumb|Camouflaged Indian Army soldiers carrying INSAS Rifle (right) and a Dragunov Sniper rifle]] The Indian Army camouflage consists of shirts, trousers and cap of a synthetic material. Shirts are buttoned up with two chest pockets with buttoned up flaps. Trousers have two pockets, two thigh box pockets and a back pocket. The Indian Army Jungle [[camouflage]] dress features a jungle camouflage pattern and is designed for use in woodland environments. The Indian Army Desert camouflage, which features a desert camouflage pattern, is used by artillery and infantry posted in dusty, semi-desert and desert areas of [[Rajasthan]] and its vicinity. The forces of the [[East India Company]] in [[British India|India]] were forced by casualties to dye their white summer [[tunic]]s to neutral tones, initially a tan called khaki (from the [[Hindi]]-[[Urdu]] word for "dusty"). This was a temporary measure which became standard in Indian service in the 1880s. Only during the [[Second Boer War]] in 1902, did the entire [[British Army]] standardise on dun for [[Service Dress (British Army)|Service Dress]]. Indian Army uniform standardises on dun for khaki. The modern Indian Army wears distinctive parade uniforms characterised by variegated turbans and waist-sashes in regimental colours. The Gurkha and Garwhal Rifles and the Assam, Kumaon and the Naga Regiments wear broad brimmed hats of traditional style. Traditionally, all Rifle regiments and the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, [[Garhwal Rifles]], Gurkha Rifles, and Rajputana Rifles) wear [[rank badge]]s, buttons and blackened wire embroidered articles of uniform in black instead of the usual Brass (or gold) coloured as the original role of the rifle regiments was camouflage and concealment. ===Intelligence=== {{Main|Directorate of Military Intelligence (India)}} The [[Directorate of Military Intelligence (India)|Directorate of Military Intelligence]] (DMI) is the Intelligence arm of the Indian Army. The MI (as it is commonly referred to) was constituted in 1941 and was initially created to check corruption in the Army's own ranks. With time, its role has evolved into cross border intelligence, intelligence sharing with friendly nations, infiltrating insurgent groups and counter-terrorism. In the late 1970s, the MI was embroiled in the [[Samba spy scandal]] wherein 3 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, the MI has seen many of its roles taken away in a turf war with the newly created [[National Technical Research Organisation]] and [[Defence Intelligence Agency (India)|Defence Intelligence Agency]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bangladesh-indian-army-military-intelligence-directorate-sheikh-hasina/1/170880.html |title=How Indian Army's Military Intelligence Directorate works : Special Report – India Today |publisher=Indiatoday.intoday.in |date=28 January 2012 |accessdate=4 November 2012}}</ref> ==Formation and structure== [[File:Indian Army Structure.png|thumb|right|400px|Indian Army Structure (click to enlarge)]] The army has a strength of about a million troops and fields 34 Divisions within 13 Corps. Its headquarters is located in the Indian capital New Delhi and it is under the overall command of the [[Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army|Chief of Army Staff]] (COAS), currently [[General Dalbir Singh Suhag]]. 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 the [[Northeast India|Northeast]]. Recently it has been proposed to enhance the strength of the army by more than 90,000 to counter the increasing presence of Chinese troops along the LAC. Below are the basic field formations of the Indian Army: *[[Corps]]: Each Corps is commaded by a [[General Officer Commanding|GOC]](Corps Commander) in the rank of [[Lieutenant General]].<ref name=army/> It is composed of 3-4 Divisions * [[Division (Military)|Division]]: Each Division is headed by [[General Officer Commanding|GOC]](Division Commander) in the rank of [[Major General]].<ref name=army/> It usually consists of 3 to 4 Brigades.<ref name=army/> Currently, the Indian Army has 37<ref>{{cite web|author=John Pike |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/divisions.htm |title=Indian Army Divisions |publisher=Globalsecurity.org |accessdate=31 March 2011}}</ref> Divisions including; 4 RAPID's (Re-organised Army Plains Infantry Division), 18 Infantry Divisions, 10 Mountain Divisions, 3 Armoured Divisions and 2 Artillery Divisions. * [[Brigade]]: A Brigade generally consists of around 3,000 combat troops with supporting elements. An Infantry Brigade usually has 3 Infantry Battalions along with various Support Elements.<ref name=army/> It is commanded by a brigade commander who is a [[Brigadier]],<ref name=army/> equivalent to a [[Brigadier General]] in some armies. In addition to the Brigades in various Army Divisions, the Indian Army also has 5 Independent Armoured Brigades, 15 Independent Artillery Brigades, 7 Independent Infantry Brigades, 1 Independent Parachute Brigade,3 Independent Air Defence Brigades, 2 Independent Air Defence Groups and 4 Independent Engineer Brigades. These Independent Brigades operate directly under the Corps Commander (GOC Corps). * [[Battalion]]: Composed of four rifle companies.<ref name=army/> Commanded by a battalion commander who is a [[Colonel]]<ref name=army/> and is the Infantry's main fighting unit. Every infantry battalion also possesses one [[Ghatak Force|Ghatak Platoon]].<ref>http://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/know-about-ghatak-commandos-the-invincible-special-forces-of-in-33442.html</ref> * [[Company (military unit)|Company]]: Composed of three platoons.<ref name=army/> Commanded by a Company Commander who is a [[Major]] or [[Lieutenant-Colonel]].<ref name=army/> * [[Platoon]]: Composed of three sections.<ref name=army/> Commanded by a Platoon Commander who is a [[junior commissioned officer|JCO]].<ref name=army/> * [[Section (military unit)|Section]]: Smallest military outfit with a strength of 10 personnel. Commanded by a Section Commander of the rank of [[Havaldar]].<ref name=army>{{cite web|url=http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=1KRe3PlAUEofJY1khsmQiw==&ParentID=3MNO2EnY8feZhYb+f0sRuw==|author=Indian Army|title=Know your army, Structure}}</ref> ===Commands=== The army operates 6 operational commands and 1 training command.<ref name=army/> Each command is headed by General Officer Commanding-in-Chief with the rank of [[Lieutenant General]]. Each command is directly affiliated to the Army HQ in New Delhi. These commands are given below in their correct order of raising, location (city) and their commanders. There is also the Army Training Commanded abbreviated as ARTRAC. The staff in each Command HQ is headed by Chief of Staff (COS) who is also an officer of [[Lieutenant General]] rank.{{citation needed|date=November 2011}} Besides these, army officers may head tri-service commands such as the [[Strategic Forces Command]], [[Ministry of Defence (India)#Integrated Defence Staff (IDS)|Integrated Defence Staff]] (IDS) and the [[Andaman and Nicobar Command]]. ===Corps=== A [[corps]] is an army field formation responsible for a zone within a command theatre. There are three types of corps in the Indian Army: Strike, Holding and Mixed. A command generally consists of two or more corps. A corps has Army divisions under its command. The Corps HQ is the highest field formation in the army.<ref>{{cite book|first=Richard Rinaldi, Ravi Rikhye|title=Indian Army Order of Battle|year=2010|publisher=General Data LLC|isbn=978-0982054178|url=http://www.amazon.com/books/dp/0982054173}}</ref> {{MultiCol}} [[File:Indian Army HQ.jpg|25px]] '''Headquarters, Indian Army''', New Delhi **[[50th Indian Parachute Brigade|50th Independent Parachute Brigade]] headquartered at [[Agra]] * [[File:IA Central Command.jpg|25px]] '''[[Central Command (India)|Central Command]]''', headquartered at [[Lucknow]], Uttar Pradesh ** [[I Corps (India)|I Corps]] — Currently assigned to South Western Command * [[File:IA Eastern Command.jpg|25px]] '''[[Eastern Command (India)|Eastern Command]]''', headquartered at [[Kolkata]], West Bengal **[[23rd Infantry Division (India)|23rd Infantry Division]] headquartered at [[Ranchi]] ** [[III Corps (India)|III Corps]], headquartered at [[Dimapur]], Nagaland ***[[2nd Infantry Division (India)|2nd Mountain Division]] headquartered at [[Dibrugarh]] ***[[57th Mountain Division (India)|57th Mountain Division]] headquartered at [[Leimakhong]] ***[[56th Infantry Division (India)|56th Mountain Division]] headquartered at [[Zakhama]] ** [[IV Corps (India)|IV Corps]], headquartered at [[Tezpur]], Assam ***[[71st Infantry Division (India)|71st Mountain Division]] headquartered at [[Missamari]] ***[[5th Infantry Division (India)|5th Mountain Division]] headquartered at [[Bomdila]] ***[[21st Infantry Division (India)|21st Mountain Division]] headquartered at [[Rangia]] ** [[XXXIII Corps (India)|XXXIII Corps]], headquartered at [[Siliguri]], West Bengal ***[[17th Infantry Division (India)|17th Mountain Division]] headquartered at [[Gangtok]] ***[[20th Infantry Division (India)|20th Mountain Division]] headquartered at [[Binnaguri]] ***[[27th Mountain Division (India)|27th Mountain Division]] headquartered at [[Kalimpong]] * [[File:IA Northern Command.jpg|25px]]'''[[Northern Command (India)|Northern Command]]''', headquartered at [[Udhampur]], Jammu and Kashmir ** [[XIV Corps (India)|XIV Corps]], headquartered at [[Leh]], Jammu and Kashmir ***[[3rd Infantry Division (India)|3rd Infantry Division]] headquartered at [[Leh]] ***[[8th Infantry Division (India)|8th Mountain Division]] headquartered at [[Dras]] ** [[XV Corps (India)|XV Corps]], headquartered at [[Srinagar]], Jammu and Kashmir ***[[19th Infantry Division (India)|19th Infantry Division]] headquartered at [[Baramulla]], ***[[28th Mountain Division (India)|28th Mountain Division]] headquartered at [[Gurez]] ** [[XVI Corps (India)|XVI Corps]], headquartered at [[Nagrota]], Jammu and Kashmir ***[[10th Infantry Division (India)|10th Infantry Division]] headquartered at [[Akhnoor]] ***[[25th Infantry Division (India)|25th Infantry Division]] headquartered at [[Rajauri]] ***[[39th Infantry Division (India)|39th Infantry Division]] headquartered at Yol ***10 Artillery brigade * [[File:IA Southern Command.jpg|25px]]'''[[Southern Command (India)|Southern Command]]''', headquartered at [[Pune]], Maharashtra ** [[41 Artillery Division (India)|41st Artillery Division]], headquartered at [[Pune]], Maharashtra ** [[XII Corps (India)|XII Corps]], headquartered at [[Jodhpur]], Rajasthan ***4th Armoured Brigade ***340th Mechanised Brigade ***[[11th Infantry Division (India)|11th Infantry Division]] headquartered at [[Ahmedabad]] ***[[12th Infantry Division (India)|12th Infantry Division]] (converting to [[RAPID]]) headquartered at [[Jodhpur]] {{ColBreak}} ** [[XXI Corps (India)|XXI Corps]], headquartered at [[Bhopal]], Madhya Pradesh ***[[31st Indian Armoured Division|31st Armoured Division]] headquartered at [[Jhansi]] ***[[36th Infantry Division (India)|36th RAPID]] [[Sagar, Madhya Pradesh|Sagar]] ***[[54th Infantry Division (India)]] headquartered at [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]]/[[Secunderabad]] ***475th Engineering Brigade * [[File:IA South Western Command.jpg|25px]]'''[[South Western Command (India)|South Western Command]]''', headquartered at [[Jaipur]], Rajasthan **[[42nd Artillery Division (India)|42nd Artillery Division]] headquartered at [[Jaipur]] ** [[I Corps (India)|I Corps]], headquartered at [[Mathura, Uttar Pradesh]] ***[[4th Infantry Division (India)|4th Infantry Division]] headquartered at [[Allahabad]] ***[[6th Infantry Division (India)|6th Mountain Division]] headquartered at [[Bareilly]] ***[[33rd Armoured Division]] headquartered at [[Hisar Military Station]] ** [[X Corps (India)|X Corps]], headquartered at [[Bhatinda]], [[Punjab, India|Punjab]] ***[[16th Infantry Division (India)|16th Infantry Division]] headquartered at [[Sri Ganganagar]] ***[[18th Infantry Division (India)|18th RAPID]] at [[Kota, Rajasthan|Kota]] ***[[24th Infantry Division (India)|24th RAPID]] at [[Bikaner]] ***[[6th Armoured Brigade (India)|6th Independent Armoured Brigade]] ***615th Independent Air Defence Brigade ***471st Engineering Brigade * [[File:IA Western Command.jpg|25px]]'''[[Western Command (India)|Western Command]]''', headquartered at [[Chandimandir]] **[[40th Artillery Division (India)|40th Artillery Division]] headquartered at [[Ambala]] ** [[II Corps (India)|II Corps]], headquartered at [[Ambala]], Haryana ***[[1st Armoured Division (India)|1st Armoured Division]] headquartered at [[Patiala]] ***[[14th Infantry Division (India)|14th RAPID]] at [[Dehradun]] ***[[22nd Infantry Division (India)|22nd Infantry Division]] headquartered at [[Meerut]] ***474th Engineering Brigade ***612th Mechanised Independent Air Defence Brigade ** [[IX Corps (India)|IX Corps]], headquartered at [[Yol, India|Yol]], Himachal Pradesh ***[[26th Infantry Division (India)|26th Infantry Division]] headquartered at [[Jammu]] ***[[29th Infantry Division (India)|29th Infantry Division]] headquartered at [[Pathankot]] ***[[2nd Armoured Brigade (India)|2nd Independent Armoured Brigade]] ***3rd Independent Armoured Brigade ** [[XI Corps (India)|XI Corps]], headquartered at [[Jalandhar]], [[Punjab, India|Punjab]] ***[[7th Infantry Division (India)|7th Infantry Division]] headquartered at [[Firozpur]] ***[[9th Infantry Division (India)|9th Infantry Division]] headquartered at [[Meerut]] ***[[15th Infantry Division (India)|15th Infantry Division]] headquartered at [[Amritsar]] ***23rd Armoured Brigade ***55th Mechanised Brigade * [[File:IA Training Command.jpg|25px]]'''[[Army Training Command (India)|Training Command]]''', headquartered at [[Shimla]], Himachal Pradesh {{EndMultiCol}} ===Regimental organisation=== Not to be confused with the Field Corps mentioned above, the corps mentioned below are the functional divisions entrusted with specific pan-Army tasks. The [[Indian Territorial Army]] has battalions affiliated to different infantry regiments and some department units which are either from the Corps of Engineers, Army Medical Corps or the Army Service corps. They serve as a part-time reserve. ;Arms #Indian Infantry Regiments #[[Indian Army Armoured Corps|Armoured Corps]] Regiments – The Armoured Corps Centre and School is at [[Ahmednagar]]. #[[Regiment of Artillery]] – The School of Artillery is at [[Devlali]] near [[Nasik]]. #[[Corps of Signals]] – [[Military College of Telecommunication Engineering]] (MCTE), [[Mhow]] is a premiere training institute for the officers of the Corps of Signals. The corps also has two Signal Training Centres at Jabalpur and Goa. #[[Indian Army Corps of Engineers|Corps of Engineers]] – The College of Military Engineering is at Dapodi, [[Pune]]. The centers are located as follows – [[Madras Engineer Group]] at [[Bangalore]], [[Bengal Engineer Group]] at [[Roorkee]] and [[Bombay Engineer Group]] at Khadki, [[Pune]]. #Corps of Army Air Defence - Center at [[Gopalpur, Orissa|Gopalpur]] in Orissa State. #Mechanised Infantry – Regimental Center at [[Ahmednagar]]. #[[Army Aviation Corps (India)|Army Aviation Corps(India)]] - Their training establishment, Combat Army Aviation Training School, is based in [[Nasik]]. Services {| class="wikitable" |- ! Name ! Center |- |Army Dental Corps |[[Lucknow]] |- |Army Education Corps |[[Pachmarhi]] |- |Army Medical Corps |[[Lucknow]]/[[Pune]] |- |Army Ordnance Corps |[[Jabalpur]] and [[Secunderabad]] (HQ) |- |Army Postal Service Corps |[[Kamptee]] near Nagpur |- |[[Indian Army Service Corps|Army Service Corps]] |[[Bangalore]] |- |Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers |[[Secunderabad]] |- |[[Corps of Military Police (India)|Corps of Military Police]] |Bangalore |- |Intelligence Corps |[[Pune]] |- |Judge Advocate General's Department |Institute of Military Law [[Kamptee]], [[Nagpur]] |- |Military Farms Service |Military Farms School and Center, Meerut Cantonment |- |[[Military Nursing Service (India)|Military Nursing Service]] |Pune and Lucknow |- |Remount and Veterinary Corps |[[Meerut]] |- |Pioneer Corps |Bangalore |} ==Indian Army forts== *[[Fort William, India|Fort William]], [[Kolkata]]: Garrison of [[Eastern Command (India)|Eastern Army Command]] *[[Fort St George]], [[Chennai]]: Garrison of ATNK&K Army Area ==Recipients of the Param Vir Chakra== Listed below are the most notable people to have received the [[Param Vir Chakra]], the highest military decoration of the Indian Army. {| class="wikitable sortable" |- !Name !Unit !Date of action !Place of action |- | Major [[Somnath Sharma]] || 4th Battalion, [[Kumaon Regiment]] || 3 November 1947 || [[Battle of Badgam]], [[Kashmir, India]] |- | [[Second Lieutenant|2 Lieutenant]] [[Rama Raghoba Rane]] || [[Indian Army Corps of Engineers|Corps of Engineers]] || 8 April 1948 || [[Battle of Naushera]], [[Kashmir, India]] |- | [[Naik (military rank)|Naik]] [[Naik Jadu Nath Singh|Jadu Nath Singh Rathore]] || 1st Battalion, [[Rajput Regiment]] || February 1948 || [[Battle of Naushera]], [[Kashmir, India]] |- | [[Company Havildar Major]] [[CHM Piru Singh|Piru Singh]] || 6th Battalion, [[Rajputana Rifles]] || 17/18 July 1948 || [[Tithwal]], [[Kashmir, India]] |- | [[Lance Naik]] [[Karam Singh]] || 1st Battalion, [[Sikh Regiment]] || 13 October 1948 || [[Tithwal]], [[Kashmir, India]] |- | Captain [[Gurbachan Singh Salaria]] || 3rd Battalion, [[1st Gurkha Rifles|1st Gorkha Rifles (The Malaun Regiment)]] || 5 December 1961 || [[Lubumbashi|Elizabethville]], [[Katanga Province|Katanga]], [[Democratic Republic of the Congo|Congo]] |- | Major [[Dhan Singh Thapa]] || 1st Battalion, [[8th Gurkha Rifles|8th Gorkha Rifles]] || 20 October 1962 || [[Ladakh]], India |- | [[Subedar]] [[Joginder Singh (Subedar)|Joginder Singh]] || 1st Battalion, [[Sikh Regiment]] || 23 October 1962 || [[Tongpen La]], [[Northeast Frontier Agency]], India |- | Major [[Shaitan Singh]] || 13th Battalion, [[Kumaon Regiment]] || 18 November 1962 || [[Rezang La]] |- | Company Quartermaster Havaldar [[Abdul Hamid (soldier)|Abdul Hamid]] || 4th Battalion, [[Bombay Grenadiers|The Grenadiers]] || 10 September 1965 || [[Chima, India|Chima]], [[Khem Karan Sector]] |- | [[Lt Col]] [[Ardeshir Tarapore|Ardeshir Burzorji Tarapore]] || [[The Poona Horse]] || 15 October 1965 || [[Phillora]], [[Sialkot]] Sector, Pakistan |- | [[Lance Naik]] [[Albert Ekka]] || 14th Battalion, [[Brigade of the Guards]] || 3 December 1971 || [[Gangasagar]] |- | [[Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal|2/Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal]] || [[The Poona Horse]] || 16 December 1971 || [[Jarpal]], [[Shakargarh]] Sector |- | Major [[Hoshiar Singh]] || 3rd Battalion, [[Bombay Grenadiers|The Grenadiers]] || 17 December 1971 || [[Basantar River]], [[Shakargarh]] Sector |- | [[Naib Subedar]] [[Bana Singh]] || 8th Battalion, [[Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry]] || 23 June 1987 || [[Siachen Glacier]], Jammu and Kashmir |- | Major [[Ramaswamy Parmeshwaran]] || 8th Battalion, [[Mahar Regiment]] || 25 November 1987 || Sri Lanka |- | Captain [[Vikram Batra]] || 13th Battalion, [[Jammu and Kashmir Rifles]] || 6 July 1999 || Point 5140, Point 4875, [[Kargil district|Kargil]] Area |- | Captain [[Manoj Kumar Pandey]] || 1st Battalion, [[11th Gorkha Rifles]] || 3 July 1999 || [[Khaluber/Juber Top]], [[Batalik]] sector, [[Kargil district|Kargil]] area, [[Jammu and Kashmir]] |- | [[Grenadier]] [[Yogendra Singh Yadav]] || 18th Battalion, [[Bombay Grenadiers|The Grenadiers]] || 4 July 1999 || [[Tiger Hill, Kargil|Tiger Hill]], [[Kargil district|Kargil]] area |- | [[Rifleman]] [[Sanjay Kumar (soldier)|Sanjay Kumar]] || 13th Battalion, [[Jammu and Kashmir Rifles]] || 5 July 1999 ||Area Flat Top, [[Kargil district|Kargil]] Area |} ==Future developments== * [[F-INSAS]] is the Indian Army's principal infantry modernisation program, which aims to modernise the army's 465 infantry and paramilitary battalions by 2020. The programme aims to upgrade the infantry with a multi-calibre rifle with an under-barrel grenade launcher and bulletproof jackets and helmets. The helmet would include a visor, flashlight, thermal sensors, night vision devices and a miniature computer with audio headsets. It will also include a new lightweight and waterproof uniform, which would help the soldier in carrying extra load and fighting in an NBC environment.<ref name=dns9j13>{{cite news|title=DRDO's F-INSAS programme to be ready in two years|url=http://www.defencenews.in/defence-news-internal.asp?get=new&id=1645|accessdate=10 July 2013|newspaper=Defence News|date=9 July 2013}}</ref> * 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 induct as many as 248 [[Arjun MBT]] and develop and induct the Arjun MK-II variant, 1,657 Russian-origin T-90S main-battle tanks (MBTs), apart from the ongoing upgrade of its T-72 fleet. The army is procuring 2,000 pieces of night vision devices for T-72 tanks for Rs 10&nbsp;billion; 1,200 pieces for T-90 tanks for Rs 9.60&nbsp;billion and 1,780 pieces for infantry combat vehicles for Rs 8.60&nbsp;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.<ref name=zn2a13>{{cite news|title=Night-vision devices for Indian Army approved|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/night-vision-devices-for-indian-army-approved_839359.html|accessdate=10 July 2013|newspaper=Zee News|date=2 April 2013}}</ref><ref name=tect2a13>{{cite news|title=Army to get night vision devices worth over Rs 2,800 crore for its tanks and infantry combat vehicles|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-04-02/news/38218271_1_indian-army-indigenisation-ongoing-12th-defence-plan|accessdate=10 July 2013|newspaper=The Economic Times|date=2 April 2013}}</ref> *The [[Cabinet Committee on Security]] approved raising two new infantry mountain divisions (with around 15,000 combat soldiers each) and an artillery brigade in 2008. These divisions were likely to be armed with ultralight howitzers.<ref>Pandit, Rajat. [http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-02-07/india/27780786_1_mountain-divisions-offensive-corps-ultralight-howitzers "Army to raise 2 mountain units to counter Pak, China"]. ''[[The Times of India]]'', 7 February 2008. Retrieved 4 January 2010.</ref> In July 2009, it was reported that the Army was advocating a new artillery division. The proposed artillery division, under the Kolkata-based [[Eastern Command (India)|Eastern Command]], was to have three brigades – two of 155&nbsp;mm howitzers and one of the Russian "Smerch" and indigenous "Pinaka" multiple-launch rocket systems.<ref>Rajat Pandit, [http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-07-02/india/28166808_1_artillery-division-military-capabilities-sino-indian-border Eye on China, is India adding muscle on East?] 2 2009 July 0325hrs</ref> The major ongoing weapons programmes of the Indian Army are as follows: ;Tanks and Armoured vehicles * Arjun MBT Mk. 2 – Trials started 2011. Production By 2014. * FMBT – The FMBT will be a lighter tank of 50 tons. At conceptual stage. Army is planning to shelve it in favour of further development of Arjun MBT. * [[Abhay IFV|FICV]] – Future Infantry Combat Vehicle program of [[DRDO]]. It is supposed to replace Indian Army's current regiment of [[BMP-2]] infantry combat vehicle. Russia had offered to sell the [[BMP-3]] to India if they cancelled the program,<ref>[http://www.armyrecognition.com/december_2012_new_army_military_defence_industry/russia_offers_to_india_to_transfer_technology_bmp-3_aifv_armoured_infantry_fighting_vehicle_2112123.html Russia offers to India to transfer technology of BMP-3] – Armyrecognition.com, 21 December 2012</ref> but India has rejected the offer and will continue to develop an domestic IFV.<ref>[http://www.defensenews.com/article/20131210/DEFREG03/312100021/ India-Rejects-BMP-3-Offer-Will-Maintain-FICV-Program] - Defensenews.com, 10 December 2013</ref> * Kroton – Possible sale of 80 mine laying vehicles from Poland. * Futuristic Battle Tank – Concept for a new tank with an [[active protection system]] capable of safeguarding it from Fin Stabilized Armor Piercing Discarding Sabot (FSAPDS) ammunition fired at {{convert|1,700|m/s|ft/s|abbr=on}}.<ref>[http://www.armyrecognition.com/july_2014_global_defense_security_news_uk/india_will_soon_develop_new_main_battle_tank_with_protection_against_modern_ammunition_2907142.html India will soon develop new main battle tank with protection against modern ammunition] - Armyrecognition.com, 29 July 2014</ref> ;Missiles * Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles ** [[Agni-V]] – 5,000&nbsp;km-6,000&nbsp;km, Successfully Tested by DRDO on 19 April 2012 at 08.05&nbsp;am IST. ** [[Agni-VI]] – 6000–10,000&nbsp;km range with [[MIRV]]ed warheads. Currently in planning stage. *Cruise Missiles ** [[Nirbhay|Nirbhay Missile]] ** [[BrahMos]] Mk 2 missiles *Tactical Ballistic Missiles ** [[Prahaar (missile)]] – With a range of 150&nbsp;km.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/prahaar-missile-to-be-testfired-on-sunday/167739-60-117.html |title=Prahaar Missile to be test-fired on Sunday |publisher=Ibnlive.in.com |date=17 July 2011 |accessdate=1 June 2012}}</ref> ** [[Shaurya (missile)]] – It has a range of between 750 to 1900&nbsp;km. *Anti-Tank Guided Missiles ** [[Nag (missile)|Nag Anti-tank guided missile]] - ground and air-launched variant. *The [[Indian Ballistic Missile Defense Program]] is an initiative to develop and deploy a multi-layered ballistic missile defence system to protect India from ballistic missile attacks. ;Vehicles *[[Tata Motors]] offers a full range 6×6, 8×8 and 12×12 multi-purpose high mobility carriers, designed especially for integrating specialist rocket and missile systems. Tata 2038 6×6 vehicle platform also stands qualified by the Indian Army for GRAD BM21 Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) application after rigorous field firing evaluation trials. * [[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 the cost of Rs 15&nbsp;billion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NEWS/newsrf.php?newsid=19731 |title=Indian Military News Headlines :: |publisher=Bharat-Rakshak.com |accessdate=4 November 2012}}</ref> ;Artillery *Under the Field Artillery Rationalization Plan, the army plans to procure 3000 to 4000 pieces of artillery at the cost of {{INRConvert|200|b|0}}. This includes purchasing 1580 towed, 814 mounted, 180 self-propelled wheeled, 100 self-propelled tracked and 145 ultra-light 155&nbsp;mm/52 calibre artillery guns. The requirement for artillery guns would be met with indigenous development and production.<ref>{{cite web|author=Business Standard |url=http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/155-mm-gun-contract-drdo-entersfray/402834/ |title=155-mm gun contract: DRDO enters the fray |publisher=Business-standard.com |accessdate=1 June 2012}}</ref> ;Small Arms *[[Multi Caliber Individual Weapon System (MCIWS)]] *[[Modern Sub Machine Carbine]] – The Modern Sub Machine Carbine (MSMC) is the latest combined venture of ARDE & OFB, developed for the Indian Army on a platform of experiences from the INSAS rifle. RFI's worth {{INRConvert|220|b|0}} were issued for assault rifles, carbines, pump-action shotguns, sniper rifles, anti-material rifles, general purpose machine guns and heavy machine guns. ;Army Aviation * Procurement process for 197 light utility helicopters (LUH) has been scrapped, of which 64 will be inducted in the Army Aviation to replace the Cheetak and Cheetah Helicopters. * [[HAL Light Observation Helicopter]] (LOH) or Light Utility helicopter (LUH) – requirement for 384 helicopters for both the army and air force. * HAL has obtained a firm order to deliver 114 [[HAL Light Combat Helicopter]]s to the Indian Army.<ref>Shenoy, Ramnath. [http://www.ptinews.com/news/422197_India-to-test-fly-light-combat-helicopters-shortly "India to test fly light combat helicopters shortly"]. [[Press Trust of India]], 14 December 2009. Retrieved 4 January 2010.</ref> ==See also== {{Portal|Military of India}} *[[Indian Armed Forces]] *[[Indian Navy]] *[[Indian Air force]] *[[Indian Coast Guard]] *[[Equipment of the Indian Army]] ==References== ;Citations {{Reflist|30em}} ;Bibliography *{{cite book| title=The Military Balance 2010| author1=International Institute for Strategic Studies| authorlink1=International Institute for Strategic Studies| author2=Hackett, James (ed.)|year=2010| publisher=Routledge| location=London| isbn=1-85743-557-5| ref=IISS2010}} *Praval, K.C. Praval ''Indian Army After Independence'' (3rd ed. 2013) [http://www.amazon.com/Indian-Army-After-Independence-ebook/dp/B00DVNCDD0/ excerpt and text search] ==External links== {{Commons category|Army of India}} * [http://indianarmy.nic.in/ Official website of the Indian Army] * [http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/LAND-FORCES/Army/ Indian Army] at [[Bharat Rakshak]] * [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/army.htm Indian army guide] at ''Global Security'' * [http://frontierindia.net/category/indian-army-news/ Indian Army news] * [http://joinindianarmy.nic.in/ Join Indian Army] {{Indian Army Arms and Services}} {{Military of India}} {{India topics}} [[Category:Indian Army| ]] [[Category:Government agencies established in 1947]] [[Category:1947 establishments in India]]'