Indian Armed Forces

Indian Armed Forces are the military forces of the Republic of India. It consists of three professional uniformed services: the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force. Additionally, the Indian Armed Forces are supported by the Indian Coast Guard and paramilitary organisations (Assam Rifles, and Special Frontier Force) and various inter-service commands and institutions such as the Strategic Forces Command, the Andaman and Nicobar Command and the Integrated Defence Staff. The President of India is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces. The Indian Armed Forces are under the management of the Ministry of Defence of the Government of India. With strength of over 1.4 million active personnel, it is the world's second-largest military force and has the world's largest volunteer army.

History

The history of the Indian Armed Forces can be traced back to the era of the Indus Valley Civilization, where evidence suggests a well-organized army was in place. The Mahabharata and Ramayana are epic tales that describe warfare of epic proportions. The classical Indian text of Kautilya’s Arthashastra (c. 300 B.C.E) deals with the intricacies of statecraft including the role of the military.

Structure

The Indian Armed Forces essentially consist of the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force. There is a President’s Bodyguard which is a ceremonial unit, and serves as a Household Cavalry. The Paramilitary forces of India, and the Strategic Forces Command also come under the Armed Forces. The various paramilitary organisations and various inter-service institutions also help the Indian Armed Forces.

Indian Army

The Indian Army is the land-based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. The primary mission of the Indian Army is to ensure national security and national unity, defending the nation from external aggression and internal threats, and maintaining peace and security within its borders.

Indian Navy

The Indian Navy is the naval branch of the Indian Armed Forces. The primary objective of the navy is to safeguard the nation's maritime borders, and in conjunction with other Armed Forces of the union, act to deter or defeat any threats or aggression against the territory, people or maritime interests of India.

Indian Air Force

The Indian Air Force is the air arm of the Indian Armed Forces. Its primary responsibility is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during armed conflict.

Role and Doctrine

The role of the Indian Armed Forces is based on the fundamental doctrine of safeguarding the national interest and national security of the Indian republic, protecting the country's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity from all threats in coordination with the other government agencies to ensure a secure and peaceful environment in the region.

See Also

• Military history of India
• List of Indian military bases
• List of active Indian military aircraft
• India and weapons of mass destruction
• Defence Research and Development Organisation