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| The Indian Army is headed by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), and is modelled on the British ranking system. The highest rank in the Indian Army is the Field Marshal, who is only appointed by the Prime Minister in case of a war. The doctrine of the Indian Army is based on holding formations and strike formations. In the case of an attack, the holding formations would contain the enemy and then the strike formations would counterattack and destroy 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 that several entire corps are devoted to the striking role, making them one of the most powerful non-NATO armies. | The Indian Army is headed by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), and is modelled on the British ranking system. The highest rank in the Indian Army is the Field Marshal, who is only appointed by the Prime Minister in case of a war. The doctrine of the Indian Army is based on holding formations and strike formations. In the case of an attack, the holding formations would contain the enemy and then the strike formations would counterattack and destroy 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 that several entire corps are devoted to the striking role, making them one of the most powerful non-NATO armies. | ||
| The Indian |
The Indian Army is a well-trained military service, employing more than 2 million personnel. It is a completely voluntary service, the military draft never having been imposed in India. The Indian army has a rich combat experience under diverse terrains including deserts, ]n mountains, tropical jungles, plains, swamps and islands. | ||
| The Indian |
The Indian Army also serves in United Nations ] operations. | ||
| == History == | == History == | ||
| Upon independence in 1947 the '''''British'' Indian Army''' was split, with most units going to India, and the rest going to ]. Some ] units were also retained in the ]. Immediately after independence tensions between India and Pakistan began to rise quickly, and the first of three full |
Upon independence in 1947 the '''''British'' Indian Army''' was split, with most units going to India, and the rest going to ]. Some ] units were also retained in the ]. Immediately after independence tensions between India and Pakistan began to rise quickly, and the first of three full-scale wars between the two nations broke out over the ] of ]. Former comrades fought each other and tensions between India and Pakistan has never entirely been eliminated ever since. | ||
| Pakistan sent tribal invaders to capture Kashmir |
Pakistan sent tribal invaders to capture Kashmir using its recently formed army. India offered and Kashmir's then Mahraja (Ruler) formally acceded Kashmir to India. Indian immediately airlifted troops to Kashmir and drove out the invaders, giving a crushing defeat to the ]. However, before India could recover the whole of Kashmir, the [United Nations intervened, and Pakistan agreed to withdraw its army and allow a plebscite to determine Kashmir's future. Pakistan never withdrew its army and India hence could not hold a plebscite in the whole of Kashmir. | ||
| An uneasy peace returned by the end of 1948, with Indian and Pakistani soldiers facing each other directly on the ] dividing Indian from Pakistani Kashmir. Many Indians expected matters with Pakistan to come to a head again, and so they did. However before that happened trouble befell India from an unexpected direction. | An uneasy peace returned by the end of 1948, with Indian and Pakistani soldiers facing each other directly on the ] dividing Indian from Pakistani Kashmir. Many Indians expected matters with Pakistan to come to a head again, and so they did. However, before that happened trouble befell India from an unexpected direction. | ||
| In 1962 the ] attacked India. The Indians lost the war, and some of Indian Kashmir (called Aksai Chin) was occupied by the Chinese. The dividing line between the Indian and Chinese forces was christened the ]. | In 1962, the ] attacked India. The Indians lost the war, and some of Indian Kashmir (called Aksai Chin) was occupied by the Chinese. The dividing line between the Indian and Chinese forces was christened the ]. | ||
| The long-awaited second confrontation with Pakistan happened in 1965. Again, the Indian Army crushed the Pakistani Army by entering Punjab, which dumbfounded Paksitani military planners. India inflicted heavy casulaties on Pakistan through heavy tank battles. | |||
| In 1971, rebellion broke out in ], and ] was forced to intervene as a number of ] ] fled to ]. War again came, but this time decisive change was affected. East Pakistan broke away with Indian help and became the independent nation of ]. This was of great help to India, since it no longer had to worry about a two |
In 1971, rebellion broke out in ], and ] was forced to intervene as a number of ] ] fled to ]. War again came, but this time decisive change was affected. East Pakistan broke away with Indian help and became the independent nation of ]. This was of great help to India, since it no longer had to worry about a two-front war and could concentrate its combat firepower against what had been West Pakistan and the PRC. India achieved a decisive victory over Pakistan in 1971 taking over 90,000 prisoners of war in Bangladesh liberation war. | ||
| After 1971, tensions between India and Pakistan simmered, periodically threatening to break out into fullscale war, most notably in 1999 and 2002 in recent years. The 1998 tests of Indian and Pakistani ]s are seen by many commentators as acting as a restraining influence on both sides. Now that each can destroy the other in a war, according to the theory of deterrence, they are less likely to let tensions escalate. | After 1971, tensions between India and Pakistan simmered, periodically threatening to break out into fullscale war, most notably in 1999 and 2002 in recent years. The 1998 tests of Indian and Pakistani ]s are seen by many commentators as acting as a restraining influence on both sides. Now that each can destroy the other in a war, according to the theory of deterrence, they are less likely to let tensions escalate. | ||
| In 2002 Pakistan again tried to attack Kashmir through Kargil. The 3,000 army regulars of Pakistan got killed when Indians recaptured their land and unleashed its air power. Pakistan initially denied that its Army was involved, only later on they admitted their crushing defeat. | |||
| == Units == | == Units == | ||
Revision as of 07:30, 1 February 2005
The Indian Army is the army of the Republic of India.
- See the British Indian Army for the pre-independence Indian Army.
The Indian Army is headed by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), and is modelled on the British ranking system. The highest rank in the Indian Army is the Field Marshal, who is only appointed by the Prime Minister in case of a war. The doctrine of the Indian Army is based on holding formations and strike formations. In the case of an attack, the holding formations would contain the enemy and then the strike formations would counterattack and destroy 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 that several entire corps are devoted to the striking role, making them one of the most powerful non-NATO armies.
The Indian Army is a well-trained military service, employing more than 2 million personnel. It is a completely voluntary service, the military draft never having been imposed in India. The Indian army has a rich combat experience under diverse terrains including deserts, Himalayan mountains, tropical jungles, plains, swamps and islands.
The Indian Army also serves in United Nations peacekeeping operations.
History
Upon independence in 1947 the British Indian Army was split, with most units going to India, and the rest going to Pakistan. Some Gurkha units were also retained in the British Army. Immediately after independence tensions between India and Pakistan began to rise quickly, and the first of three full-scale wars between the two nations broke out over the princely state of Kashmir. Former comrades fought each other and tensions between India and Pakistan has never entirely been eliminated ever since.
Pakistan sent tribal invaders to capture Kashmir using its recently formed army. India offered and Kashmir's then Mahraja (Ruler) formally acceded Kashmir to India. Indian immediately airlifted troops to Kashmir and drove out the invaders, giving a crushing defeat to the Pakistani Army. However, before India could recover the whole of Kashmir, the [United Nations intervened, and Pakistan agreed to withdraw its army and allow a plebscite to determine Kashmir's future. Pakistan never withdrew its army and India hence could not hold a plebscite in the whole of Kashmir.
An uneasy peace returned by the end of 1948, with Indian and Pakistani soldiers facing each other directly on the Line of Control dividing Indian from Pakistani Kashmir. Many Indians expected matters with Pakistan to come to a head again, and so they did. However, before that happened trouble befell India from an unexpected direction.
In 1962, the People's Republic of China attacked India. The Indians lost the war, and some of Indian Kashmir (called Aksai Chin) was occupied by the Chinese. The dividing line between the Indian and Chinese forces was christened the Line of Actual Control.
The long-awaited second confrontation with Pakistan happened in 1965. Again, the Indian Army crushed the Pakistani Army by entering Punjab, which dumbfounded Paksitani military planners. India inflicted heavy casulaties on Pakistan through heavy tank battles.
In 1971, rebellion broke out in East Pakistan, and India was forced to intervene as a number of Bangladeshi refugees fled to India. War again came, but this time decisive change was affected. East Pakistan broke away with Indian help and became the independent nation of Bangladesh. This was of great help to India, since it no longer had to worry about a two-front war and could concentrate its combat firepower against what had been West Pakistan and the PRC. India achieved a decisive victory over Pakistan in 1971 taking over 90,000 prisoners of war in Bangladesh liberation war.
After 1971, tensions between India and Pakistan simmered, periodically threatening to break out into fullscale war, most notably in 1999 and 2002 in recent years. The 1998 tests of Indian and Pakistani nuclear weapons are seen by many commentators as acting as a restraining influence on both sides. Now that each can destroy the other in a war, according to the theory of deterrence, they are less likely to let tensions escalate.
Units
The Indian Army has 5 tactical area commands
- XIV Corps - Artillery, 3rd Infantry and 8th Mountain Divisions
- XV Corps - Artillery, 19th Infantry, 28th and 57th Mountain Divisions
- XVI Corps - 2nd, 3rd, 16th Armor, Artillery, 10th, 25th, 26th, 29th and 39th Infantry Divisions
- Western Command headquartered at Chandimandir in Chandigarh
- 30th Artillery Division
- II Corps - 14th Armor, Artillery, Air Defence, Engineer, Helicopter Sqdrn, 1st Armored, 14th Rapid and 22nd Infantry Divisions
- X Corps - 6th Armored, Artillery, 16th Infantry, 18th and 24th Rapid Divisions
- XI Corps - 23rd Armored, 55th Mech, Artillery, 7th, 9th and 15th Infantry Divisions
- Central Command headquartered at Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh
- I Corps - 23rd Artillery, Air Defence, Engineer, 4th Infantry, 6th Mountain and 31st Armored Divisions
- Eastern Command headquartered at Kolkata
- III Corps - Artillery, 23rd Infantry and 57th Mountain Divisions
- IV Corps - Artillery, 2nd, 5th and 21st Mountain Divisions
- XXXIII Corps - Artillery, 17th, 20th and 27th Mountain Divisions
- Southern Command headquartered at Pune in Maharashtra
- 50th Parachute
- 333rd Missile Group
- XII Corps - 4th Armored, 340th Mech, Artillery, 11th and 12th Infantry Divisions
- XXI Corps - Artillery, Air Defence, Engineer, Heli Sqn, 33rd Armored, 36th Rapid and 54th Infantry Divisions
Equipment
Most of the army equipment is imported, but efforts are on to manufacture indigenous equipment.
Light Weapons
- FN35 and Glock 17 9 mm pistols
- Heckler und Koch MP5 replacing the Carbine 1A 9 mm sub-machine guns
- INSAS 5.56 mm assault rifles replacing the FN FAL, 1A1, 1C, AKM and V.58 7.62 mm assault rifles
- INSAS 5.56 mm light machine guns replacing the 7.62 mm FN MAG, Bren L4 and the .50 cal Browning M2HB machine guns
- Dragunov, Mauser SP66 and Heckler und Koch MSG-90 7.62 mm sniper rifles
- AGS-17 Plamya 30 mm automatic grenade launcher
- M40 RCL 106 mm and Carl Gustav 84 mm recoiless rifles
- Igla-19K310 / SA-16 Gimlet replacing the Strela-2M /SA-7b Grail - portable SAM
Combat vehicles
- T-90S Bhishma - main battle tanks (310+) over 1000 T-90S to be manufactured in India
- Arjun Mk1 - main battle tanks (125) - the Arjun might be converted into a 155 mm self-propelled howitzer by fitting the South African T6 turret which has the G5 howitzer fitted.
- Upgraded T-72M1 Ajeya - main battle tanks (1,900+)
- Vijayanta (1,200) and and T-55 (700) main battle tanks being phased out
- PT-76 (amphibious) and AMX-13 light tanks
- Ferret armoured cars
- BRDM-2 amphibious reconnaissance vehicles
- BMP-1 (700) and BMP-2 (900+)Sarath - mechanised infantry combat vehicles relegated the OT-62/64 to mortar carriers.
Artillery
- AGNI ICBMS that can attack China and Pakistan and beyond.
- SS-150/Prithvi-1 and SS-250/Prithvi-III - short-range ballistic missiles
- Smerch 9K58 - 300 mm multiple rocket launch system
- Pinaka - 214 mm multiple rocket launch system replacing the 122 mm BM-21
- Abbot (105 mm) and M-46 Catapult (130 mm) to be replaced by 4000 new 155 mm self-propelled howitzers. On the short list is the Denel LIW T6 turreted Arjun and the Celsius (Bofors) FH-77AD
- Bofors FH-77B, upgraded Soltam M-46 155 mm towed howitzers
- Soltam M-46 130 mm field guns replacing the 105 mm IFG Mk1/2/3
- D-30 122 mm towed howitzers
- Tunguska M1 - low level air defense system
- Upgraded ZSU-23-4M Shilka self-propelled air defence guns (48)
- Upgraded Bofors L40/70 40 mm AA guns replacing the L40/60
- ZSU-23-2 twin 23 mm AA guns
- Due to delays in the Akash missile program the ZRK-SD Kvadrat / SA-6a Gainful air defence systems is being upgraded (100)
- Due to delays in the Trshul missile program the OSA-AKM / SA-8b Gecko air defence systems is being upgraded (50)
- S-300V / SA-10 Grumble
- Strela-10M3 / SA-13 Gopher - short-range, low altitude SAM
Non-combat vehicles
- Bridge Layer Tank using a T-72 chassis and Kartik Armoured Bridgelayer on a Vijayanta chassis - armoured vehicle-launched bridges
- Multi-Hop and Extended Span Assault Bridges on T-72 chassis
- Sarvatra - 8x8 truck-mounted briging system
- VT-72B ARV (400+) and WZT-3 ARV (124) - armoured recovery vehicle replacing the Vijayanta ARV
- BMP-2 Armoured Amphibious Dozer and Engineer Reconnaissance Vehicle (ERV)
- Casspir - mine protected vehicles (165)
- Tata LPTA 1621 TC - 6x6 truck
- Mahindra - light multi-role 4x4
- Rampar - amphibious 4x4
Aircraft
- Dornier Do 228-101 - light transport aircraft
- HAL Dhruv multi-role helicopter replacing the HAL Chetak / Allouette II, Cheetah / SA 315B Lama and Lancer