21 Different Branches of Army that makes Indian Army Amazing!
Indian Army is considered one of the best armies in the world. They protect the nation and are on guard 24*7. Indian Army has a strength of over 1.2 million soldiers. Indian Army has a history of being deployed in some of the hostile zones in the world and still successfully completing the missions. Have you ever wondered in what kind of branches does the Army have?
Well, we bring you 21 such branches of Army that you might have never heard of but they are the ones that make Indian Army so amazing.
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Click next to see the Technical Branches
Non-Technical Branches:
Indian Army Armoured Corps.
It is one of the armoured regiments of Indian Army that are trained in combat operations. They are the most distinguished branch of Indian Army. They consist of 63 regiments that also include President’s Bodyguards. It also has a honorary post, “Colonel of the Regiment”t for a senior officer who oversees the regimental issues concerning the unit. 17 Horse (The Poona Horse) has won two Param Vir Chakras and is the most decorated regiment of the Armoured Corps.
Click next to see the branch which has one-sixth of Army’s strength
Artillery
The Regiment of Artillery of Indian Army has one-sixth of the strength of Indian Army. It was formed in 1827 and has given five Generals of Indian Army since Independence. It has two branches
- Field Artillery
Field Artillery consists of 190 regiments. They are responsible for leading the attack with Guns, mortars and rockets in the ground combat. It is the largest branch in the artillery.
2. Corps of Army Air Defence
They were formed in 1939 and they are a major combative formation tasked with air defences of the country from foreign threats. They are responsible for air defences under 5,000 feet. They have been effectively used in almost all wars and foreign operations.
Click next to see the Aviation branch of Army
Army Aviation Corps
Army Aviation Corps. was formed in 1986. They are the aviation branch of the Army. Army Aviation has supported ground units by carrying men and material in the highest battlefield on earth, culminating in the conquest of the entire 72 km of the Siachen Glacier. They are also used for logistic support and medical evacuation.
Click next to see the most popular branch of Army
Infantry
Historically, they are the oldest branches of the Army. Infantry consists of soldiers who fight on foot and it is the most important part of any army. The victory is established when Infantry places its foot on the enemy territory.
Click next to see the Technical Branches
Technical Branches
Corps of Engineers
Corps of Engineers are one of the oldest branches of Indian Army. They were established in 1777. The main purpose of this branch is to provide mobility to the troops by making bridges and tracks. They are also tasked with the destruction of enemy’s mobility by laying landmines. The famous regiments in it are the Madras Sappers, the Bengal Sappers and the Bombay Sappers.
Click next to see the Engineers of Military
Military Engineering Services
Military Engineering Services along with the Corps of Engineers provide the rear line engineering services to the Indian Army. It has a large number of units and subunits spread across the entire country to provide engineering support to various formations of Army, Air Force, Navy and even DRDO. They are also responsible for maintenance of maintenance of all buildings, airfields, dock installations, etc.
Click next to see the Military Branch used in construction of Roads
Border Roads Organisation (BRO)
Border Roads Organisation (BRO) was formed in 1960 and is directly under the ministry of defence. It maintains road networks in India’s border areas and even in friendly neighbouring countries. he BRO operates and maintains over 32,885 kilometres of roads and about 12,200 metres of permanent bridges in the country.
Click next to see the Communication branches of the Army
Corps of Signals
Corps of Signals was formed in 1911 and handles the military communications of the Indian Army. They were used and have shown excellent services in all major Wars that also include Word War I and World War II. To train operators, there is a specific training Institute of it called Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (MCTE).
Click next to see the Service Branches
Services
Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering
Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering has varied responsibilities of design, development, trial, inspection and refit of weapon systems and equipment. They were formed in 1944. They also provide aid to civil authorities in an emergency on natural calamity.The corps has excelled in sports and adventure activities. The units of this branch are also placed in the Maitri permanent research Station in Antarctica.
Click next to see the Logistic Support of Army
Army Service Corps.
Army Service Corps. were formed in1760 and recently celebrated its 250th anniversary. They provide logistic support. They are responsible for the provisioning, procurement and distribution of supplies, FOL, fuels, hygiene chemicals and items of hospital comforts to the Indian Army.
Click next to see the Medical Support of Indian Army
Indian Army Medical Corps
Indian Army Medical Corps was formed in 1943. They are responsible for providing the medical support to all Army Personnel. They are also used in time of a calamity and provides help on national as well as internationally.
Click next to see another heath support of Indian Army
Indian Army Dental Corps
Army Dental Corps as the name suggests provide help to the Army Personnel in problems relating to their teeth. Though it may not seem a great branch that is involved in combat or any other operations directly but hey, even in war you don’t want a toothache.
Click next to see the nursing of Army
Military Nursing Service
Military Nursing Service was founded in 1888. They provide nursing and care to the sick and wounded army personnel. They have served all around the world in countries like Singapore, Burma, Italy, Mesopotamia, Ceylon, Egypt, Western Africa etc
Click next to see the maintenance department of Army
Army Ordnance Corps (AOC)
Army Ordnance Corps (AOC) is responsible for provisioning, receipt, accounting, warehousing, stocking, issue, conditioning, repair and disposal of all types of Ordnance stores (Armament, Vehicle spares, Electronic equipment, General Stores and Clothing), Vehicles, Aviation stores and Ammunition.
Click next to see the Army department that maintains the ‘Man’s best Friend’
Remount and Veterinary Corps
It was founded in 1794. They provide treatment and care to the sick and wounded army animals. They were primarily used in Army to provide the support to animals used in wars like Horses but now the use of horse has been discontinued. However, they still provide support to other important animals like Dogs etc.
Click next to see the Branch of army that will soon be discontinued
Military Farms
Military Farms provide the Indian Army with dairy products and fodder for the animals maintained by the Army. They will, however, be discontinued in 2017 as after the green and white revolutions, there is no dearth of milk and milk products from civilian sources now. Military farms thus have lost their relevance. It was founded in 1889.
Click next to see the branch for providing Education
Army Education Corps.
Army Education Corps. is responsible for educating the Army Soldiers. They could also include instructors from various institutes of the Army to train soldiers.
Click next to see the Intelligence Unit of the Army
Intelligence Corps.
Intelligence Corps. of Indian Army was formed in 1941 and their main purpose is to gather and scrutinise important information which deals with the security of the nation. There is very little information about their operations but it is said that they closely work with IB and R&AW.
Click next to see the Police of Military
Corps of Military Police
Corps of Military Police were formed in 1939. They are trained to handle prisoners of war and to regulate traffic, as well as to handle basic telecommunication equipment such as telephone exchanges.They can also be found policing the Cantonments and Army Establishments.
Click next to see who handles the legal affairs of Army
Judge Advocate General Branch
Judge Advocate General Branch of India is taken to handle and deal with the legal affairs of the Indian Army. They punish the soldiers for misconduct and handle any such activities of Indian Army Personnel.
Click next to see the Pioneer corps
Pioneer Corps
The Pioneers provide logistic support to the fighting forces, they detect and destroy mines during military operations. They provide disciplined and well-trained manpower where civilian labour is either not available or its employment is not desirable for reasons of security.
Click next to see the Support Staff on Army
Army Canteen Stores Departments
The canteen deals with the provision and supply of basic requisites required by the troops for personal use. It was founded in 1948. CSD sells a wide variety of products like household provisions, kitchen appliances, alcoholic drinks, even cars and sports equipment.
Click next to see the security corps of Army
Defence Security Corps
As hilarious it may sound but Army also has a Defence Security Corps to protect itself. It was founded on April 25, 1947. The main function of this branch of Indian army is to provide security to designated Defence Installations against sabotage and civilian infiltration.
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