Indian Armed Forces

India's Armed Forces comprise the world's second largest Army, the fourth largest Air Force, the eighth largest Navy and the largest Coast Guard in the northern Indian Ocean. In their respective domains, these four Services are entrusted with the security of the air space above India, of more than 14,000 kilometers of land borders, 7,500 kilometers of coastline, 156,000 kilometers of shore line and an Exclusive Economic Zone of two million square kilometers. In its sixty-year post-colonial history, India's Army, Navy and Air Force have fought five wars – one against China and four against Pakistan. Every year, these Armed Services provide succor to thousands of people when rivers overflow their banks, when cyclones devastate coastal districts, and when occasional tsunamis and earthquakes maroon hundreds of thousands of people. Overseas, India has been a leading contributor to the United Nations' Peace Keeping Missions. The Indian Army operates in extremes of terrain and climate:- - In the glacial terrain on the northern Himalayan borders in Siachen; in the high altitude terrain in Ladakh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh; and in the mountainous terrain in Jammu & Kashmir - In the riverine plains of the Punjab and Bengal- In the desert of Rajasthan and - In the salty marshes of Kachch, Gujarat and Bengal. It is widely respected as an experienced Army that has been coping with insurgencies for sixty years and, for the last thirty years, in combating the Islamic Terrorism that has now spread across the world. The Indian peninsula straddles the Sea Lanes of Communication (S.L.O.C.s) across the northern Indian Ocean. With the strategic reach of its air arm, the Navy, jointly with the Coast Guard, safeguards India's, as well as the region's, maritime interests. The Air Force's well-equipped air squadrons, together with its capabilities of in-flight refueling and sizable airlift bestow deterrent strategic reach. All four services exercise, jointly and singly, with friendly regional and international counterparts to erect bridges of friendship and strengthen interoperability as each of them transforms to cope with the 21st century. Regional peace and stability are crucial for India's societal well-being and economic development. These are best ensured by competent Armed Forces. This book provides an excellent overview by veterans who served with honor in India's Armed Forces. *

About the Author :
Bharat Verma, a former Cavalry Officer is Editor, Indian Defence Review, frequently appears on television as a commentator and is author of the books, Fault Lines and Indian Armed Forces.Two events impacted on me when my mother passed away.I was six-plus.In 1958 I was sent to the Scindia School, Gwalior. Till 1968 this remained my new home. The school equipped me with extraordinary diverse skills.My mother left behind a large library of books. On long school breaks, I devoured them with zeal.Both happenings instilled in me a streak of independence and analytical skills.My father's honesty and integrity left a deep impression on me.By the time I reached Class VII, I was determined to join the Indian Army.During graduation at Indore Christian College, I was fascinated with Political Science and Geopolitics.The President of India was pleased to grant me Commission in the Army in 1972. I joined the 69 Armoured Regiment and later transferred to raise 84 Armoured Regiment. I returned my Commission to the President with gratitude in 1977.Military training instilled in me extraordinary stand-alone capabilities.I am neither a formally trained publisher nor an editor. These skills were learnt on the streets of Delhi. I set up Lancer in 1979, the first dedicated military publishing house in India. Subsequently, I launched Indian Defence Review in 1986.I am the editor since 1998.Author