Indian Armed Forces consist of three branches: the Indian Army, the Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force.
The pride of India, Indian Military Forces are the reason behind the peace of the country’s civilians. Let’s know 20 knowledgeable facts about this structure.
20 Interesting Facts of Indian Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force
- The uniformed services of India, the Indian Armed Forces are responsible for defending the governing body of the nation.
- The President of India plays the Supreme Commander of military forces. The three armed forces are managed under the Ministry of Defense and represented by the Union Cabinet Minister of Defense who leads it.
- The powerful strength of 1.3 million personnel makes it the largest volunteer army in the entire world and the third largest one as a military force.
- The President of India leads the entire Indian Armed Force as Commander-in-Chief of the Army, Navy, and Air Forces.
- The largest among all three branches of the Indian Armed Forces, the Indian Army is a land-based military force.
- A four-star general commands the Indian Army as the Chief of Army Staff- abbreviated as COAS.
- The primary role of the Indian Army is to secure the nation and its unity through defending the civilians and country from all external threats that can harm the maintenance of peace within the borders.
- When needed, this force can be recruited to cope with internal insecurities and threats too. In the case of natural calamities, it also performs humanitarian rescue operations.
- Indian Navy is a naval-based force that protects the water-sides and sea areas of a country. It is responsible to defend the maritime borders of the nation.
- A four-star officer commands the Indian Navy as Chief of Naval Staff, abbreviated as CNS.
- In humanitarian missions and operations or in case of disasters, the Indian Navy participates to extend relief. It comes ahead to enhance the international relationships of a nation with other countries.
- Earlier it was known as Royal Indian Navy. After the emergence of India as a republic country, the Royal dropped from the title.
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the Maratha Emperor of the 17th century was given reverence through the title- Father of the Indian Navy.
- Indian Air Force is a defending Air Arm that protects Indian airspace.
- A four-star commander, an Air Chief Marshal commands Indian Air Force as Chief of Air Staff.
- Indian Air Force is accountable for conducting aerial warfare at times of conflict.
- It secures 4th place among the largest Air Forces in the world.
- For its services in World War II, the Indian Air Force was known as Royal Indian Air Force in 1945. The Royal prefix was removed after India’s independence and recognition as a republic country.
- Indian Armed forces are supported and assisted by three paramilitary forces: Special Frontier Force, Indian Coast Guard, and Assam Rifles.
- Generally considered as Paramilitary Forces, the Central Armed Police Forces are led by Indian Police Service Officers, which is controlled under the Ministry of Home Affairs, instead of the Ministry of Defense.
