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The Indian military has gone through a series of changes since Independence. After the end of World War II, out of the 1.25 million wartime troops in the old Indian Army, tens of thousands were demobilised, many units disbanded. With Partition came the division of the Indian armed forces between India and Pakistan in the ratio of two-third to one-third. Steeped in traditions, and matching pompand circumstance that go back to the 18th century for some regiments, India today has the second largest military in the world, with 1.4 million personnel and 960,000 reserves. The Indian military has fought four wars against Pakistan, including the 1999 border conflict in Kargil.
Arjun Main Battle Tanks at the 2022 Republic Day parade; (Photo: Chandradeep Kumar)
In 1962, it faced the People’s Republic of China in the heights of Ladakh and what was then NEFA (North East Frontier Areas). India’s navy and air force also have a history that stretches back to the colonial period. The Indian Air Force (IAF) was established in 1932, and after Independence, it retained seven fighter squadrons and other aircraft of the Royal Indian Air Force. The IAF has close to 170,000 personnel, with some 900 combat-capable planes, including the indigenous Tejas LCA (light combat aircraft) and the Rafale multirole fighter. Though struggling with its depleting fleet, it is ranked third in the world air power index. The Indian navy has a personnel strength of 80,000, with 150 vessels and 300 aircraft. India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, the 45,000 tonne INS Vikrant, has been handed over to the navy. India also has 15 conventional submarines, and INS Arihant, a nuclear-powered submarine.
LEAD ESSAY | Freedom@75 | A new tryst with destiny
1947-48
War for Kashmir: Pakistani army regulars and tribal raiders invade Kashmir. Over 15,000 troops fight on both sides. UN draws ceasefire line between India and Pakistan
1961
Operation Vijay: Portuguese India (Goa, Daman, and Diu) is incorporated into India
JUNE 1961
HAL HF-24 Marut: India’s first indigenous fighterbomber aircraft takes flight
1962
Indo-China War: Dispute over McMahon Line has nearly 20,000 Indian troops fight 80,000 Chinese soldiers in Ladakh, NEFA. 6,000-odd casualties
1965
Indo-Pak War: Over 33,000 Pakistani soldiers posing as locals enter Kashmir. Indian military responds strongly via a second front. UN-negotiated ceasefire
1967
Kalvari-class: India inducts its first submarines from USSR and renames them
1971
Indo-Pak War: Indian military defeats Pakistan, to liberate Bangladesh. Over 90,000 PoWs taken
1986
Bofors deal: India signs deal with Swedish firm AB Bofors for 400 howitzer guns. They play a key role in the 1999 Kargil conflict
1987
Operation Pawan: Indian Peace Keeping Force deployed to take control of Jaffna and enforce disarmament of LTTE as part of Indo-Lankan Accord
1989
Agni I: India’s first intercontinental ballistic missile, with a range of 7001,200 km, tested. More sophisticated versions tested in following decades
1999
Kargil conflict: Pakistani soldiers and Kashmiri militants occupy key heights in Kargil. Indian army launches Op Vijay and IAF Op Safed Sagar to oust them
2016
Rafale deal: India signs deal with French firm Dassault to buy 36 Rafale multirole fighter jets, of which 35 have been delivered
2016
Arihant-class: The made in India nuclearpowered ballistic submarines commissioned
2020
Doklam: Border clashes between Indian army and PLA in Ladakh lead to military standoff. Complete disengagement still awaited despite 16 rounds of talks
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