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The Indian Army
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The Indian Armed Forces are the military forces of the Republic of India. They consist of four professional uniformed services: the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force and Indian Coast Guard. Additionally, the Indian Armed Forces are supported by several paramilitary organizations (Assam Rifles, Special Frontier Force, CRPF, BSF, ITBP, CISF) and various inter-service institutions such as the Strategic Forces Command. 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 (MoD), which is led by the Union Cabinet Minister of Defense. With a strength of over 1.3 million active personnel, it is the world's 3rd largest military force, after the PRC and USA.
2.0 Evolution of the Indian Army
History of the Indian Army is replete with incidents of extraordinary heroism and valour and can be traced back to the ancient periods in India. The earliest mention of Indian Army is found in the ancient texts and scriptures, including the Vedas and the epics Mahabharata and Ramayana. The history of Indian Army emphasises that Indians have not taken to the science of warfare recently and their fighting traditions are not merely 200 years old. There are several glorious instances of large scale operations undertaken in ancient times backed by a definite military science based on brilliant strategy and tactics. During the ancient period, when Dharma played such a dominating role in the daily routine of a person, Yuddha had to be undertaken frequently. The epitome of Dharma Yuddha, as it was originally known as, is to be found in the two Indian epics namely Ramayana and Mahabharata. No base means were used and the dignity of man as a warrior, victor and vanquisher was maintained always. History of the Indian Army mentions that in ancient India, the organisation of the army altered with changing dynasties.
2.1 Ancient history of Indian army
In ancient India, the rigvedic tribes of Indo-Aryans engaged in warfares with other tribes. Mentions have been made of horse-drawn chariots set with spikes and weapons consructed with bronze. The other weapons that were commonly employed from the earliest times until about 1000 AD were primarily bow and arrow, sword, spear and axe. A large number of other weapons were also employed as is evident from the ruins of Mohenjodaro, Sanchi, Udaigiri and Harappa. The infantry and cavalry used a long cylindrical pipe and fired it in the manner of a gun of the modern times. This would indicate the active use of gun-powder in ancient India. Further, the ancient army was composed of the infantry, cavalry, chariots, elephants and a commissariat department. Even the admiralty or position constituted a separate department. The higher echelons of command were very well organised and it was considered to be a very efficient system with the large number of military dignitaries and officials. The duties of each person were laid down in great detail which indicates a deep study of the art of war. The composition of the armed forces and employment of balanced forces kept on varying according to the needs of the times.
Ample utilisation of intelligence strategies was made to ensure securing of decisions by means other than by often hostilities. Even though chariots and horses were employed, they were more for dignity and show than for obtaining tactical superiority. During the times of Asoka, espionage also existed.
2.2 Medieval history of Indian army
With the Muslim invasion in the country, the Indian army, in various parts of the country, was well-knit and organised. However, they still lacked mobility, and the infantry provided the bulk of the forces. Small well-trained armies still formed the nucleus, while the bulk was provided by the vassals and dependents. When the Afghans started their in-roads into the country through the passes in the north-western direction, there was again complete standstill as regards military thought. By Akbar’s time, the army was united and powerful. Although the Muslim rulers had by now firmly established themselves in the country, they did not add anything new to the army organisation. Thus, at this stage the emphasis shifted to the cavalry as they had to undertake regular campaigns to far off lands. A small standing army was maintained at the centre as body-guards and for the immediate defence of the capital. Military associated details were also properly maintained under provincial governors. The Rajputs, who earlier formed the military classes, were replaced by the new rulers and their own co-religionists. During a brief spell of around a hundred years, the Sikhs also organised themselves into a military class. Their evolution is considered as another milestone in the military history of the country.
2.3 History of Indian army during British rule
During the British rule, the Indian army became structured. Although India has been ruled over by several foreign kingdoms but her interests and borders were always secured by the sons of the soil. Even under the British rule, the revolt against the colonisers was initiated by men in uniform. During the reign of the emperors, the loyalty of the soldiers laid with their kings. During later periods, this entire concept underwent a sea-change. This mainly occurred due to the rise of the concept of nation. Under the British rule, the army was organised completely on a foreign pattern, designed to suit their ends in the country and to fight their battles in other countries that were as far as China and Europe.
The traces of a unified Indian army can be found in an April 1895 decision, when the four Armies of Presidencies (Punjab, Bengal, Bombay and Madras) were unified into a single Indian Army. It was divided into four commands, Punjab, Bengal, Madras and Bombay. The supreme authority over the Indian army was vested in Governor-General-in-Council, which was exercised by the Secretary of State for India.
In the pre-independence era, there was an Army Department which was redesignated as the Defence Department in January 1938. It was this Defence Department that became the Ministry of Defence under a Cabinet Minister in August 1947.
2.4 The INA
The Indian National Army (INA) or Azad Hind Fauj was an independent Indian army found by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. It was an armed force in 1942 in Southeast Asia during World War II. The aim of the army was to liberate India from the British occupation with Japanese assistance. It was initially composed of Indian prisoners of war captured by Japan in the Malayan campaign and at Singapore, and later drew the direct assistance of thousands of Indian living in Maynmar. The INA also consisted of an All Women’s Regiment (The Rani of Jhansi regiment). The INA was perhaps the only army till that date (or perhaps even till today) to have been founded by a zealous Indian patriotic leader, and which rose so quickly to uproot an exploitative regime. The INA succeeded immensely in its mission to galvanise the Indian against the British, though it could not remove the British regime physically. It remains a much loved institution till date.
3.0 Indian Armed Forces : Important Details and Structure of Forces
INDIAN ARMY
Army Size11,29,000 Active personnel
9,60,000 Reserve personnel
158 Aircraft
62 Ballistic missiles Part of Ministry of Defence
Indian Armed Forces Headquarters New Delhi, India
The Indian Army is the land-based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. According to the IISS, in 2010 the army had a strength of 11,29,000 active personnel and 960,000 reserve personnel, making the Indian Army the world's largest standing volunteer army.
The primary mission of the Indian army is to ensure the national security and defence of the Republic of India from external aggression and threats, and maintaining peace and security within its borders. Article 355 of the Indian constitution empowers the government in this regard. It also conducts humanitarian rescue operations during natural calamities and other disturbances. The President of India is the Commander-in-Chief of the Army. The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), a General, is a four star commander and commands the army. There is typically never more than one serving general at any given time in the Army. Two officers have been conferred the rank of field marshal, a 5-star rank and the officer serves as the ceremonial chief.
The Indian Army came into being when India gained independence in 1947, and inherited most of the infrastructure of the British Indian Army that were located in post-partition India. The Indian Army is a voluntary service and although a provision for military conscription exists in the Indian constitution, it has never been imposed. Since independence, the army has been involved in four wars with neighbouring Pakistan and one with the People's Republic of China. Other major operations undertaken by the army include Operation Vijay, Operation Meghdoot and Operation Cactus conducted at Goa (1961), Siachen (1984) and Maldives (1988) respectively. Apart from conflicts, the army has also been an active participant in United Nations peacekeeping missions.
Structure: The army has a strength of about a million troops and fields 34 divisions. Its headquarters is located in the Indian capital New Delhi and it is under the overall command of the 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 north-east. Recently it has been proposed to enhance the strength of army by more than 90,000 to counter the increasing presence of Chinese troops along the LAC.
Commands: The army operates 7 operational commands. 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 listed here in their correct order of raising, location (city) - Central Command, headquartered at Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh; Eastern Command, headquartered at Kolkata, West Bengal; Northern Command, headquartered at Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir; Southern Command, headquartered at Pune, Maharashtra; South Western Command, headquartered at Jaipur, Rajasthan; Western Command, headquartered at Chandimandir; and Training Command, headquartered at Shimla, Himachal Pradesh.
There is also the Army Training Command 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. Besides these, army officers may head tri-service commands such as the Strategic Forces command and the Andaman and Nicobar Command.
4.0 Structure of the Indian Army
As said, the Indian army is one of the world’s largest with a strength of about a million troops and fields 34 divisions. At the beginning, the Indian 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.
Below are the basic field formations of the Indian Army
Section: Smallest military outfit with a strength of 10 personnel. Commanded by a non-commissioned officer of the rank of Havildar or Sergeant.
Platoon: An intermediate between a company and section, a platoon is headed by a Captain or Lieutenant, or depending on the availability of commissioned officers, even a junior commissioned officer (Subedar). It has a total strength of about 32 troops.
Company: Headed by the Major or Captain, a company comprises 120 soldiers.
Battalion: A Battalion is commanded by a Colonel and is the Infantry's main fighting unit. It consists of more than 900 combat personnel.
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 Arms & Services. It is headed by a Brigadier, 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).
Division: Each Division is headed by General Officer Commanding (GOC) in the rank of Major General. It usually consists of 15,000 combat troops and 8,000 support elements. Currently, the Indian Army has 37 Divisions including; 4 RAPID's (Re-organised Army Plains Infantry Division), 18 Infantry Divisions, 10 Mountain Divisions, 3 Armoured Divisions and 2 Artillery Divisions. Each Division composes of several Brigades.
Regimental organisation: Regimental organizations are not to be confused with the Field Corps mentioned above. These organizations 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. The various regimental organizations are
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 Belgaum.
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 in Orissa State.
Mechanised Infantry: Regimental Center at Ahmednagar.
Army Aviation Corps (India): Their training establishment, Combat Army Aviation Training School, is based in Nasik.
Some important regiments of the Indian army are
5.0 WEAPONS OF THE INDIAN ARMY
P8i Poseidon: The P8I was proposed by Boeing to the Indian Navy. In 2009, the Ministry of Defence of India signed an agreement with Boeing for the supply of eight P-8I Poseidons at a total cost of US$2.1 billion. These aircraft would replace Indian Navy's aging Tupolev Tu-142M maritime surveillance turboprops. Each aircraft will cost about US$220 million. The deal not only made India the first international customer of the P-8, but also marked Boeing's first military sale to India.
On May 12, 2010 Boeing announced that it received the Data Link II communications technology for the Indian Navy's P-8I from Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) in April, one month ahead of schedule. BEL delivered the Indian-designed communications system that will enable exchange of tactical data and messages between Indian Navy aircraft, ships and shore establishments. In 2012, India have already received 3 of these aircrafts.
SPYDER and BARAK 8 SAMs: SPYDER is a low-level, quick-reaction, surface-to-air missile (LLQRM) system capable of engaging aircraft, helicopters, unmanned air vehicles, drones and precision-guided munitions. The system provides air defence for fixed assets and for point and area defence for mobile forces in combat areas.
The SPYDER-SR (short range) system has 360° engagement capability and the missiles can be launched from the full-readiness state in less than five seconds post target confirmation. The kill range is specified as being less than 1km to more than 15km. The altitudes range from a minimum of 20m to a maximum of 9,000m. The system is capable of multi-target simultaneous engagement and also single, multiple and ripple firing, by day and night and in all weathers.
Rafael is developing a medium-range version, SPYDER-MR, which has a range over 35km at altitudes from 20m to 16km. SPYDER-MR carries eight missiles while SPYDER-SR has four. SPYDER-MR also has new IAI/Elta MF-STAR surveillance radar.
The main components of the SPYDER system are the truck-mounted command and control unit, the missile firing unit with Python 5 and Derby missiles, a field service vehicle and missile supply vehicle. The system can launch missiles in two modes of operation: lock on before launch (LOBL) and lock on after launch (LOAL).
A typical SPYDER squadron consists of one mobile command and control unit (CCU) and four mobile firing units (MFU). The mobile CCU is equipped with a surveillance radar and two operator stations with a radio datalink between the CCU and the four MFUs.
Hypersonic Brahmos II: This missile is in the final stages of development. BrahMos scientists are now waiting for the Su-30MKI aircraft from India to act as a platform for test launch of the missile.
The air-launched version, will be lighter and smaller than the land-based version of the missile so that it can be fitted to the aircraft. One of the two speed boosters in the missile has been removed for the air version of the weapon system as after being launched from an aircraft moving at a speed of more than 1.5 mach, the missile will automatically gain its momentum and maintain its speed of 2.8 mach.
After being released from the aircraft, the missile will have a free fall of about 150 metres before getting activated and flying to its target. The range and speed of the missile will remain the same as that of its land and ship-launched versions.
For the integration of the aircraft with the missile, two of IAF Su-30 MKI planes will be used. These aircraft would be the part of the 40 additional Su-30s, for which orders were placed in 2006.
A joint Russian-Indian company has started the development of a cruise missile capable of flying at Mach 5, which will make it 'impossible to intercept'. BrahMos-2 will be the next generation of the highly successful the BrahMos missile already used by Indian military.
The BrahMos missile (the acronym stands for Brahmaputra-Moscow) has been in development since 1998 and had its first successful test launch in 2001. Russia provided the design of its P-800 Oniks missile as the basis of the project while India developed its guidance system. It has a maximum speed of Mach 2.8, making it is the world's fastest cruise missile.
The BrahMos-2 is expected to have twice the speed of the current version, which, the developers say, will make it practically immune to all existing missile defence systems.
F-INSAS: F-INSAS is a Ultra Modern Programme with the objective of equipping Indian infantry with the future weaponry, communication network and instant access to information on the battlefield.
This program is similar to the future soldier programs of other nations. F-INSAS includes a fully networked all-terrain, all-weather personal-equipment platform, enhanced firepower and mobility for the digitalised battlefield of the future. The weight carried by soldiers will need to be reduced by at least 50%.
The fully integrated Infantry of tomorrow will be equipped with mission-oriented equipment integrated with his buddy soldier team, the sub-unit, as also the overall C4I2 (Command, Control, Communications Computers, Information and Intelligence) system.
Phalcon AWACS: The induction of the Phalcon comes as a tremendous force multiplier in the present standoff between India and Pakistan. The only platforms offering such a capability, albeit a limited one, are the spy planes of the R&AW's Aviation Research Centre and the IAF's fleet of Israeli-built Heron and Searcher-II drones.
The aircraft can do this using its Israeli-built AEW mission suite called the Phalcon, mounted on a Russian-built IL-76 transport aircraft. The system is used for tactical surveillance of airborne and surface targets and intelligence gathering to a radius of over 400 km. The solid-state phased array Elta EL/M-2075 radar is mounted on a radome above the fuselage. The electronically steered beam provides a 360 degree coverage around the aircraft and it carries air force personnel on board to analyse the data and steer fighter aircraft.
"AEWs have a three-fold advantage of flexibility-they can be deployed anywhere, provide much better coverage because they are mounted on an elevated platform and carry control systems and datalinks, which can be used to vector your own fighter aircraft," says Air Marshal V.K. Bhatia, former western air commander.
MMRCA - Rafale: The Indian Air Force Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) Competition, commonly known as the MRCA Tender, is an ongoing competition to supply the Indian Air Force with 126 Multi-Role Combat Aircraft. The Defence Ministry has allocated Rs. 42,000 crore for the purchase of these aircraft (Approx. US$10.5 billion).
Six aircraft companies bid for this multi-billion dollar contract. This has been touted as India's single largest defense deal ever. India choose Rafale as winner. Indian Defence Ministry sources in June 2014 indicated that the negotiations would be wrapped up in 3 months. If this happens, it is anticipated that the first 18 jets will come to India from mid 2016 onwards. The remaining 108 jets will be manufactured by HAL and their roll out is expected from 2018 onwards.
INS Vikramaditya & IAC 1: INS Vikramaditya is the new name for the former Soviet aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov, which has been procured by India, and is estimated to enter service in the Indian Navy after 2013.
The Vikramaditya is a modified Type 1143 Kiev class aircraft carrier built in 1978-1982 at Black Sea Shipyard, Mykolaiv, Ukraine. The ship is presently being extensively refitted at Sevmash shipyard in Russia. It is projected to replace India's only currently serving aircraft carrier, INS Viraat.
The Vikrant class aircraft carriers (formerly, the Project 71 "Air Defence Ship" (ADS)) are the first aircraft carriers of the Indian Navy to be designed and built in India. They are being built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL).
The Vikrant class carriers will be the largest warships built by CSL. Work on the lead vessel of the class started in 2008. Eighty percent of works on the carrier will be completed before its launch in 2010. The first carrier of the class was expected to enter service by 2012, but was delayed by a year reportedly due to the inability of Russia to supply the AB/A grade steel. This led to SAIL creating facilities to manufacture the steel in India.
Ballistic Missile Defence: The Indian Ballistic Missile Defense Program is an initiative to develop and deploy a multi-layered Ballistic Missile Defence.
Introduced in light of the ballistic missile threat from Pakistan, it is a two tiered system consisting of two interceptor missiles, namely the Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) missile for high altitude interception, and the Advanced Air Defence (AAD) Missile for lower altitude interception. The two-tiered shield should be able to intercept any incoming missile launched 5,000 kilometers away.
PAD was tested in November 2006, followed by AAD in December 2007. With the test of the PAD missile, India became the fourth country to have successfully developed an Anti-ballistic missile system, after United States, Russia and Israel. On March 6, 2009, India again successfully tested its missile defense shield, during which an incoming "enemy" missile was intercepted at an altitude of 75 km.
INS Arihant: INS Arihant (S-73) is the lead ship of India's Arihant class of nuclear-powered submarines. The 5,000-6,000 tonne vessel was built under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project at the Ship Building Centre in Visakhapatnam.
The symbolic launch ceremony for the Arihant was held on July 26, 2009 marked the anniversary of Vijay Diwas (Kargil War Victory Day). It was reported that the nuclear reactor and other systems were not included at the time of the submarine's launch.
Full integration of key systems and Sea trials are expected to be extensive. The name of the vessel, Arihant is in Sanskrit and literally translates into destroyer of enemies.
The completion of the INS Arihant will make India one of six countries in the world with the ability to design, build, and operate its own nuclear submarines (the others being the United States, the UK, Russia, France, and China).
PAK FA and FGFA: The Sukhoi PAK FA is a fifth generation fighter aircraft being developed by Sukhoi OKB for the Russian Air Force.
The current prototype is Sukhoi's T-50. The PAK FA when fully developed is intended to replace the MiG-29 Fulcrum and Su-27 Flanker in the Russian inventory and serve as the basis of the Sukhoi/HAL FGFA project being developed with India. A fifth generation jet fighter, it is designed to directly compete with Lockheed Martin's F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II. The T-50 performed its first flight January 29, 2010. Its second flight was on February 6 and its third on February 12.
Sukhoi director Mikhail Pogosyan has projected a market for 1000 aircraft over the next four decades, which will be produced in a joint venture with India, two hundred each for Russia and India and six hundred for other countries. The Sukhoi/HAL Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) is a fifth-generation fighter being developed by Russia and India. It is a derivative project from the PAK FA (T-50 is the prototype) being developed for the Indian Air Force (FGFA is the official designation for the Indian version).
6.0 Indian Army engagements
Operation Polo (1948): Indian armed forces ended the rule of the Nizam of Hyderabad and led to the incorporation of the princely state of Hyderabad in Southern India, into the Indian Union.
Operation Vijay (1961): The operation by the Military of India that led to the capture of Goa, Daman and Diu and Anjidiv Islands from the Portuguese colonial holding in 1961.
Operation Blue Star (3- 6 June 1984): was an Indian military operation, ordered by Indira Gandhi, then Prime Minister of India, for removing Sikh separatists from the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The Sikhs, led by Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, were amassing weapons in the Sikh temple.
Operation Woodrose was a military operation carried out by the Indian government in the months after Operation Blue Star to "prevent the outbreak of widespread public protest" in the state of Punjab. The government arrested all prominent members of the largest Sikh political party, the Akali Dal, and banned the All India Sikh Students Federation, a large students' union.
Operation Black Tornado: On 29 November, India's National Security Guards (NSG) conducted Operation Black Tornado to flush out the remaining attackers of Mumbai 26/11/2008. It resulted in the death of the last remaining attackers at the Taj hotel and ending all fighting in the attacks.
Operation Trident and Python was launched by Indian Navy where they captured large part of Karachi during the 1971 war. The operation was a high time response to operation Chengiz Khan by Pakistani army.
Operation Pawan (1987): Operations by the Indian Peace Keeping Force to take control of Jaffna from the LTTE in late 1987 to enforce the disarmament of the LTTE as a part of the Indo-Sri Lankan Accord.
Operation Viraat (1988): It was an anti-insurgency operation launched by the IPKF against the LTTE in April 1988 in Northern Sri Lanka.
Operation Trishul (1988): Along with Operation Viraat, was an anti-insurgency operation launched by the IPKF against the LTTE in April 1988 in Northern Sri Lanka.
Operation Checkmate (1988): It was an anti-insurgency operation carried out by the IPKF against the LTTE in the Vadamarachi area of northern Sri Lanka in June 1988.
Operation Cactus (1988): Indian armed forces outsted Tamil nationalist mercenaries of PLOTE who instigated a coup in Malé in the Maldives.
Operation Vijay (1999): This was the name of the successful Indian operation to push back the infiltrators from the Kargil Sector, in the 1999 Kargil War.
Operation Parakram: Following the attack on Indian Parliament and amid calls from the United States and the United Nations (UN) to exercise restraint, India mobilised and deployed its troops to Kashmir and the Indian part of the Punjab in what was India's largest military mobilization since the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War. The mobilization was known as Operation Parakram.
Operation Safed Sagar was the codename assigned to the Indian Air Force's strike to support the Ground troops during Operation Vijay that was aimed to flush out Regular and Irregular troops of the Pakistani Army from vacated Indian Positions in the Kargil sector along the Line of Control.
Operation Meghdoot was the name given to the attack launched by the Indian Military to capture the Siachen Glacier in the disputed Kashmir region, precipitating the Siachen Conflict. Launched on 13 April 1984, this military operation was unique as the first assault launched in the world's highest battlefield.
India is one of the most important supporters of UN-led peacekeeping operations (UNPKOs). Over 1,00,000 Indian military and police personnel have rotated through service in 40 of the UN's 65 peacekeeping missions and in 2014, 3 Indian peacekeepers were serving in 7 separate UNPKOs across the globe.
The following have been the missions in which India has contributed since 1950.
- Korea (1950-54): Paramedical Unit: comprising 17 officers, 9 JCOs and 300 other ranks to facilitate withdrawal of sick and wounded in Korea. Lt Gen K S Thimmaya was appointed as the Chairman of the Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission (NNRC) set up by UN. India also provided a custodian force under Maj Gen SPP Thorat comprising 231 officers, 203 JCOs and 5696 other ranks.
- Indo-China (1954-70): India provided an Infantry Battalion and supporting staff for control of Indo-China comprising three states of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. Tasks included monitoring, ceasefire and repatriation of prisoners of war, among others. A total of 970 officers, 140 JCOs and 6157 other ranks were provided during the period from 1954-1970.
- Middle East (1956-67): United Nations Emergency Force(UNEF), where for first time armed troop contingents were deployed. India's contribution was an infantry battalion and other support elements. Over a period of 11 years, 393 officers, 409 JCOs and 12383 other ranks took part in the operations.
- Cambodia (1992-1993) (UNTAC): Was set up to supervise ceasefire, disarm combatants, repatriate refugees and monitor conduct of free and fair elections. A total of 1373 all ranks participated from Indian Army.
- Mozambique (1992-94) (ONUMOZ): Two Engineer companies HQ company, logistics company, staff officers and military observers were provided. In all 1083 all ranks participated.
- Somalia (1993-94) (UNITAF & UNOSOM II): The Indian Navy and Indian Army took active part in UN Operations. Indian Army deployed a Brigade Group comprising of 5000 all ranks and the navy deployed four battleships.
- Rwanda (1994-96) (UNAMIR) An Infantry Battalion group, a signal company, and engineer company, staff officers and Military Observers were provided. Total of 956 all ranks took part.
- Angola (1989-1999) (UNAVEM): Besides providing a Deputy Force Commander, an Infantry Battalion group and an engineer company comprising a total of 1014 all ranks. India contributed 10 MILOBS for UNAVEM-1, 25 for UNAVEM-II And 20 MILOBS, 37 SOs, and 30 Senior NCOs for UNAVEM-III.
- Sierra Leone (1999-2001) (UNAMSIL): Two Infantry Battalion groups, two engineer companies, Quick reaction company, Attack helicopter unit, medical unit and Logistic support in addition to sector HQ and Force Headquarters staff.
Current Missions: The Indian Armed Forces are presently undertaking the following UN Missions (Out of total 14 Missions currently underway). The nature of the contribution is also mentioned.
- Lebanon (UNIFIL) (Since Dec 1998): One infantry battalion group, and Level II Hospital comprising 650 all ranks and 23 staff officers, till date.
- Congo (MONUC/MONUSCO) (Since January 2005): Extended Chapter VII mandate. Augmented Infantry Brigade Group (four infantry battalions) with level III Hospital. Army aviation contingent with utility helicopters. A large number of MILOBs & SOs have also been contributed. In addition two Formed Police Units (FPU) ex BSF and ITBP have also been deployed since 2009. Lt Gen Chander Prakash of India , was, till recently the Force Commander in MONUSCO. MONUSCO's new mandate is now being implemented (resolution 2098 (2013) with an Intervention Brigade provide by AV, being deployed under UN Command.
- Sudan (UNMIS/UNMISS) (Since April 2005): Two Infantry Battalion groups, sector HQ, Engineer company, signal company, Level-II Hospital and large number of MILOBS and SOs. The old equipment is now being repatriated at UN cost. We have a Deputy Force Commander (Brig Asit Mistry) and a Deputy Police Commissioner (Mr Sanjay Kundu, recently appointed) there. The MoU for UNMISS is likely to be signed soon. Concurrence is awaited from Government of India.
- Golan Heights (UNDOF) (Since February 2006): A Logistics battalion with 190 personnel has been deployed to look after the logistics security of UNDOF. Maj Gen IS Singha is the Force Commander since July 2012. Current crisis due to Syrian conflict, now under control.
- Ivory Coast (UNOCI) (Since April 2004): The mission is supported by Indian SOs and MILOBs since inception.
- Haiti (MINUSTAH) (Since December 1997): Apart from three Indian FPUs there, i.e from CISF, CRPF and Assam Rifles, which have been hugely successful, the mission has been supported by Indian Army staff officers since inception.
- Liberia (UNMIL) (Since April 2007) India has been contributing both male and female FPUs ex CRPF / RAF in Liberia. The Female FPU has especially become a inspiration for the women of the host nation and have become trendsetters for other such female FPUs across the Globe. Till recently, Mr Gautam Sawang of India was the Police Commissioner there.
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