16 Facts About The Indian Armed Forces That Will Make You Respect Them

The Indian Armed Forces are made up of the Indian Army, the Indian Navy, the India Indian Air Force, and the Indian Coast Guard. For the country, it is the shield and sword to keep the citizens safe and the enemies at bay. They are well-respected for their bravery and sense of duty. Below are 16 facts about the Indian Armed Forces that will make you respect them even more.

1. In 1776, the East India Company formed the Indian Army in Kolkata.

2. In the Indian Army, there are around 53 cantonments, along with nine army bases, which spread across the country.

3. The Indian Army is in charge of the Siachen Glacier, the world’s highest battlefield which is 5000 meters above the sea level.

4. The Indian Army is the world’s biggest voluntary army.

All soldiers have actually chosen to serve the country. In the constitution, there is actually a provision for forced recruitment but has never been used.

5. MES or the Military Engineering Services is one of India’s biggest construction agencies.

The MES, together with BRO or the Border Roads Organization, is actually in charge of constructing and maintaining some of the greatest bridges and roads that have ever been built. These include the highest motorable road across the globe-Khardungla Pass, the Magnetic Hill in Leh, and many more.

6. In the world, there are only three countries that have a cavalry regiment. And the Indian Army is among these three countries.

7. In 1835, Indian oldest paramilitary force-Assam rifles was formed.

8. The Indian Army is one of the United Nations’ biggest troop contributors for peacemaking operations.

9. The highest bridge on Earth, the Bailey Bridge, is in the Himalayas, in the Ladakh valley between the Dras River and Suru River. The Indian Army constructed the bridge in 1982.

10. The Indian Army’s oldest regiment is the President’s bodyguard.

The regiment was formed in 1773. At the moment, it is based in New Delhi’s Rashtrapati Bhavan.

11. Soldiers in the Indian Army are said to be the best in terms of jungle warfare.

Forces from the UK, the US, and Russia often visit the Counter-Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School.

12. In the early 1970s and late 1990s, India secretly put its nuclear arsenal to test without the CIA knowing anything.

Until now, it is still known as one of the biggest failures of the CIA regarding espionage and detection.

13. During the Longewala Battle, which is a historical event that the movie “Border” bases on, the Indian side only suffered two casualties.

In December 1971, the Battle of Longewala broke out between India and Pakistan. It was 120 Indian soldiers and one jeep of M40 recoilless rifle against 2000 Pakistani soldiers, one mobile infantry brigade and 45 tanks. Although the Indian soldiers were heavily outnumbered, they successfully held their ground. And with the Air Force’s back up, they were able to rout the aggressors.

14. The 2013 Operation Rahat was one of the world’s biggest civilian rescuing operations that have ever been carried out.

The operation was accomplished by the Indian Air Force for civilian evacuation from the Uttarakhand floods in 2013, using helicopters. For the first phase on 17 June 2013, 20,000 people were airlifted, 2,140 sorties were flown, and 3,82,400 kg of relief equipment and material were dropped.

15. Kerala-based Ezhimala Naval Academy is Asia’s largest naval academy.

16. Many popular celebrities often receive the armed forces’ honorary ranks. While M.S Dhoni has been ranked as an Honorary Lt Col, Sachin Tendulkar has received the I.A.F’s Honorary Group captain rank.