Understanding Role of Defence

The military force plays a crucial role not only in society but also in politics of a state.
Unlike bureaucracy, Military does not have the same day to day impact on political
system but the truth is that in today's world no country feels free form the politics of
military intervention. It has the capability of ruling the state directly for a short time and
for a specific purpose, either to correct and consolidate the constitutional government or
it may be to seize political power from a democratic government and hold on to it by
force. The frequent military coups in the undeveloped and developing countries bear
ample testimony to the influence of armed forces in the internal politics of a country and
it has the capability to act in clear violation of the principles of a democratic system.
Role of Military:
The role of military can be classified under following heads:
i) an instrument of war
ii) a guarantee of political order and stability
iii) an interest group
iv) an alternative to civilian rule.
i) Instrument of war
Military has the capability of defending a country against war and external aggression.
However, this defensive role of the military depends on its strength, preparedness and
might to match the aggressor. The armed forces are used by the state to pursue offensive
or expansionist ends. This role makes the military to wage war against other states. When
the military is able, willing and ready to act as an agent of aggression against an enemy
state and is supported by public, the role and importance of military enhances. This leads
to a high level of military spending, recruitment of military leaders into the process of
policy making and the growth of militarism. Hitler's Nazi regime in Germany is an
example of Expansionist state.
Background :
The development of modern armed forces or military can be traced back to the period
following middle ages. It was the European powers who started to develop military
establishments with a standing armyand during the 19th century the military

became a specialised institution. It expanded with a professional leadership and started

alienating from the society.
The credit for popularizing military organization was European colonialism and military
became a universal component of all sovereign state organisations.
Broad Outlook of defence
The Military is a kind of political institution, having some distinct features. First, as an
instrument of war, military enjoys a monopoly and total control of weaponry and
coercive power of a state. Thus its loyalty and support is essential for the survival of the
state and government. Secondly, armed forces are systematically organised and highly
disciplined. It is based on a hierarchical system with ranks and a culture of command and
obedience. Thirdly, the military is characterised by a set of principles, rules and values,
that prepare its personnel to fight and kill enemies and if possible die but never to
surrender. Fourthly, the armed forces, being directly responsible for the security and
integrity of the nation, they generally feel 'special' and sometimes regard themselves as
being 'above' politics.
All these features secure for them a special status, respect and an advantage over civilian
organisations.However, the nature and character of particular armed forces is shaped by
internal and external factors, like the history and traditions of military units, the nature of
political system, political culture, values of the people etc. In fact it is difficult to
generalise the nature and significance of Military. The Military plays different roles in
different political systems and the relationship between certain politicians and Military
also differ in different set ups. For example, the political orientation of People's
Liberation Army (PLA) in China is influenced by the role it played in establishing
Communist regime in 1949 and by strict Communist Party control.
Present Scenario of Defence
Description: Due to the chaotic political situation in Pakistan and the increasing
radicalisation of the civilian population, terrorist outfits in Pakistan spread like wildfire.
In a follow-up of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, another large-scale terrorist attack is
launched on a major Indian city, resulting in hundreds of deaths. The attacks are
tracedback to Pakistan, and,

facing enormous public pressure, the GoI authorizes surgical strikes on Pakistani terror
camps. Expecting a military response from the Pakistani Armed Forces, the Indian Army,
Navy, and Air Force launch their first preemptive strike in history.
Utilizing the "Cold Start" doctrine, the Indian Army's Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs)
launch bitzkrieg-style incursions into Pakistani territory, especially in the RajasthanSindh area, while large numbers of Indian troops are airdropped behind enemy lines,
cutting off Pakistani lines of communication and paralyzing their command structure.
The Indian Army's advances are facilitated by the IAF's establishment of air superiority
over the battlespace, and the Indian Navy's blockade of Karachi. At the end of 48-72
hours of conflict, the IAF has eliminated most Pakistani terror camps, and the Indian
Army has advanced about 50 miles into Pakistani territory. The captured land is used as a
negotiating tool to bring an end to the conflict, with terms of peace heavily favoring
India.
Notes: The danger of this scenario is in the possibility of India's Cold Start escalating
into a "hot" nuclear war. To prevent this, the Indian Army will likely avoid fighting in
sensitive areas like Kashmir, and will not attack targets vital to Pakistan's existence as a
state (like the Islamabad Capital Territory or the Grand Trunk Road). Most of the fighting
will probably take place in the Rajasthan-Sindh desert, where the wide open plains favor
the mechanized tactics practiced by the IBGs.
Preparedness: India has conducted several exercises since 2006 that have effectively
demonstrated the ability of the Indian Army and Air Force to conduct a Cold Start
operation. I believe that we are ready for Cold Start even today, if need be. The three keys
for a successful Cold Start are: a large fleet of transport aircraft, a large mechanized and
armored force for making quick and powerful thrusts, and an air force that can establish
air superiority and effectively coordinate ground-support missions with the Army. India
has already met all three of these criteria, and our capability to launch a successful Cold
Start will only grow in the future.
What is India's defence aiming at
President Obamas Republic Day visit is making news for two reasons; one, that it is a
coup of sorts to get a US president to be the chief guest on the 26 January parade and
secondly, it appears that the visit would be used to seal an Indo-US defence agreement on

trade and technology.India and the US had signed the New Framework for US-India
Defence Relationship in 2005 but there is little to show in terms of setting up of new
industry other than purchase of costly hardware, prominent among them being the C17
and C-130 for the IAF and Boeing P-8I for the Navy. However, there was no transfer or
joint development of high-end technology between the two countries; in fact, if press
reports are to be believed, the Americans lost the Armys `3200 crore Javelin anti-tank
guided missile contract for refusal to offer the missile for trials and to transfer technology
that had been asked for in the Request For Proposal.
Will things pan out differently after this Obama visit?
Before this question is answered, it is time for a reality check of the source of major
hardware that equips our armed forces. Broadly speaking, most offensive equipment is of
Russian origin while the American hardware that has come in is defensive and for combat
support operations, which are also vital for war fighting. Barring the 40 Mirages and the
Jaguars, the IAF fighter fleet is based on MiG variants and the Sukhoi 30. All tanks and
major artillery systems (except Bofors) in the Army are from Russia and so are the
Armoured Personnel Carriers. The frontline ships, aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya,
stealth ships and submarines (including the on-lease nuclear powered INS Chakra) are
from Russia, too. On the other hand, combat support assets are now predominantly
American viz., the C-17 and C-130 for the IAF and the P-8I for the Navy; Chinook
helicopters and more C-130s and possibly C-17s will follow for the IAF and some
helicopters for the Navy are in the offing.
Has any cutting edge technology been transferred through the huge offsets associated
with these high-value contracts is a moot point, but what is for sure is that it would be
sheer naivety on Indias part to believe that any country would transfer top of the line
knowhow to another nation, no matter what the price offered. And the renewed push that
may be imparted to the 2012 Defence Trade and Technology Initiative (DTTI) during the
Obama visit may be no different in terms of transfer of cutting edge technology.
How Strong is India's Defence

MANPOWER - Going beyond military equipment totals and perceived fighting strength
is the actual manpower that drives a given
military. Wars of attrition favor those with more.
Total Population: 1,236,344,631
Available Manpower: 615,201,057
Fit for Service: 489,571,520
Reaching Military Age Annually: 22,896,956
Active Frontline Personnel: 1,325,000
Active Reserve Personnel: 2,143,000
LAND SYSTEMS - Tank value includes Main Battle Tanks, light tanks and tank
destroyers, either wheeled or tracked. AFV value includes Armored Personnel Carriers
(APCs) and Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs).
Tanks: 6,464
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 6,704
Self-Propelled Guns (SPGs): 290
Towed-Artillery: 7,414
Multiple-Launch Rocket Systems (MLRSs): 292
AIR POWER - Includes both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft from all branches of
service.
Total Aircraft: 1,905
Fighters/Interceptors: 629
Fixed-Wing Attack Aircraft: 761
Transport Aircraft: 667
Trainer Aircraft: 263
Helicopters: 584
Attack Helicopters: 20
NAVAL POWER - Aircraft Carrier value includes dedicated "helicopter carrier" vessels.
Total naval strength includes all known auxiliaries as well.

Total Naval Strength: 202

Aircraft Carriers: 2
Frigates: 15
Destroyers: 9
Corvettes: 25
Submarines: 15
Coastal Defense Craft: 46
Mine Warfare: 7
RESOURCES (PETROLEUM) - Despite the advances made in battlefield technology,
oil remains the lifeblood of any fighting force and supporting economy.
Oil Production: 897,500 bbl/day
Oil Consumption: 3,300,000 bbl/day
Proven Oil Reserves: 5,476,000,000 bbl/day
LOGISTICAL - War is as much a battle of logistics - moving man and machine from / to
points all over - as it is direct combat. Labor Force adds to available wartime industry
strength.
Labor Force: 487,300,000
Merchant Marine Strength: 340
Major Ports and Terminals: 7
Roadway Coverage: 3,320,410
Railway Coverage: 63,974
Serviceable Airports: 346
FINANCIAL (in USD) - Regardless of strength in numbers, war is still driven by
financing as much as any one leader or weapon.
Defense Budget: $38,000,000,000
External Debt: $412,200,000,000
Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold: $295,000,000,000
Purchasing Power Parity: $4,990,000,000,000

Women in India's Defence

In the modern world, there are no domains of work that women havent delved into.
Words such as chairman and cameraman have been rephrased as chairperson and
cameraperson, to accommodate women. Many a male dominated work place has
crumbled under the power of the woman - her spirit and energy. The Indian Armed
Forces, which for long was considered a male dominated workplace, now has confident,
bold women, molding into every role and setting examples for everyone. Lieutenant
General Puneeta Arora, a lady officer from the Army Medical Corps, heads the
prestigious defense institution, the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), in Pune. In
the land of Razia Sultana and Rani of Jhansi, it comes as no surprise that women make
their mark in the Armed Forces.
Indian Armed Forces
The Indian armed forces comprises of Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard. The
Coast Guard was set up as an Armed Force more recently in 1978. Due to their unique
roles as protectors of the nations land, sea and airspace respectively, the nature of work
in each service is different. Apart from their main roles of defending the country, they
may also be required to perform tasks to ease civil administration during times of crisis.
The Indian president is the supreme commander of the armed forces. In carrying out the
primary role of defending the nation, the armed forces personnel are bound by certain
rules that govern their conduct. But, they also enjoy certain privileges that their civilian
counterparts do not have access to. Passion for adventure activities and sports can pay
off, as one can represent the defense teams and even the country.
Bright, young and energetic men and women make up the bulk of manpower in the armed
forces. Recruitment is voluntary, which implies that every citizen of India is eligible to be
a part of it, provided he/she fulfils the specified criteria for selection. Caste, region or
religion, do not come in the way of the selection process, thereby making it a
heterogeneous work place. Personnel retire earlier than many other government sectors,
to keep the armed forces team, young and dynamic.
Entry of WomenThe role of women in the armed forces for a long time, was limited to
the medical profession i.e. doctors and nurses. In 1992, the doors were thrown open for
women entry as regular officers in aviation, logistics, law, engineering and executive

cadres. Thousands of spirited young women applied against advertisements and it was a
turning point in the history of time.
These women chose a new field where they had to painstakingly pave a path for the
others to follow.
The initial adjustment problems werent as much for the women as it was for the men.
Wrapped in their tradition of chivalry and respect to women, most gentlemen officers
could not treat their female counterparts at par with themselves. Their subordinates too,
were men who came from conservative families where they saw women playing only
traditional roles. The emergence of these women into totally male dominated bastions did
initially create embarrassing moments for both. Men hushed their talks and behaved
courteously, while women had to do with makeshift arrangements to suit their needs
within units. Over the years and having come a long way now, men have realized that
these women in uniform are their efficient and able co-workers. The time is not far when
we may use the term sisters-in-arms as equivalent to brothers-in-arms.
Currently, women in the non-medical cadre, serve as Short Service Commissioned (SSC)
officers. Under this type of commission, they can serve in the armed forces for a period
ranging from 5-14 years. On release they can pursue a career in the civil sector. SSC
officers are released with gratuity and can avail some benefits as ex-serviceperson, but
they do not get pension. Women in the medical branch i.e. doctors and nurses can serve
as Permanent Commissioned (PC) officers and are eligible for pension after retirement.
They also have the option to serve as Short Service Commissioned officers.
Eligible women, who qualify various tests successfully, serve as Short Service
Commissioned officers in the following branches of the Armed Forces.
ARMY: EME, Signals, Engineers, Army Education Corps, Army Ordnance Corps, Army
Service Corps, Intelligence and Judge Advocate
Generals branch.
NAVY: All branches of the Navy (except submariners and divers).
AIR FORCE: Flying (transport aircraft and helicopters), Technical and Administration
branches.
COAST GUARD: All branches of the Coast Guard.

An Officer and a Lady In the modern day of electronic warfare, its more about
overcoming stress in warfare than physical combat. It has been proven scientifically that
women handle stress better and are also mentally tougher. This is not to undermine a
womans physical capability. Women have done extremely well in physical training as
well. In the first few batches at the armed forces training academies women displayed
more endurance and some even outran their male counterparts in cross-country runs and
long distance marches. They carry on this tradition and keep setting new records.
As commissioned officers at the age of 22-23 years, they may often have subordinates
older than their parents. Hence, from day one, it is a challenge and leadership qualities
are under test. The color of their crisp uniforms and the stars/stripes they adorn
differentiate them from each other. Despite the good quality of life, they may sometimes
undergo hardships due to the nature of work. An officer may have to work in tough
terrains or difficult circumstances. Most women however, who undergo training as cadets
in various military academies, cope up with various difficult situations, easily. Being a
transferable job, transfers and movements are seen as unique travel opportunities to travel
to remotest locations in the country. Every unit is a mini-India with people and cultures as
diverse.As most lady officers are married to gentlemen officers in the armed forces, as
per government policies, they are transferred together. Women officers can also avail of
maternity leave; furlough and annual leave in succession, to cater to pre and post-natal
care. On retirement too, they enjoy medical facilities and coveted club memberships.
They can afford to maintain the same quality of life due to the various benefits they can
avail of. Their experience and qualities imbibed while in service make them much in
demand in the private sectorAlthough the path these women have chosen is tough, they
have proved that they have the spirit, the courage and the will to carry on. Presently,
women do not serve in combat arms nor do they fly fighter aircrafts, but it wont be long
before these forbidden avenues are thrown open to them.
Career in Defence
A career in defence forces promises one of the most prestigious and respected positions in
the country. Youngsters who aspire to choose a career of excitement, adventure, and
challenges can find no better place than defence to meet all their professional
expectations. The Indian Armed Forces are the military forces of India which consist of

four professional uniformed services: The Indian Army, Indian Air Force, Indian Navy
and Indian Coast Guard. The various paramilitary organisations and various inter-service
institutions also help the Indian Armed Forces. The Ministry of Defence is responsible for
the management of armed forces in India.
ENTRANCE EXAMINATIONS
The Entrance examinations for various professional and traditional Undergraduate and
Post Graduate courses are generally scheduled during the month of April, May and June.
Among the Undergraduate courses the Pre-Engineering and Pre-Medical entrances are
the most popular ones.From the current year admission to undergraduate Engineering
Programmes at NITs, IIITs, centrally funded technical institutions, institutions funded by
several participating State Governments, and several other institutions shall involve in the
Joint Entrance Examination, JEE (Main) (External website that opens in a new window).
The JEE (Main) will also be an eligibility test for the JEE (Advanced) (External website
that opens in a new window), which the candidate has to take if he/she is aspiring for
getting admission in the undergraduate programmes offered by the IITs.
Since the year 2010, the Medical Council of India (External website that opens in a new
window) with the approval of the Central Government amended the regulations on
Graduate Medical Education 1997 and made provision for a Single Eligibility cum
Entrance Examination, namely, National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) (External
website that opens in a new window) for admission to MBBS Course in each academic
year. Similarly, the Dental Council of India also amended the BDS Course
Regulations 2007 and notified in the Gazette of India Extraordinary dated 31st May, 2012
that admission to BDS Course in each academic year shall be through the National
Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) (External website that opens in a new window).
The entrance for undergraduate and post-graduate courses related to the Management
(CAT) (External website that opens in a new window), Fashion (NIFT) (External website
that opens in a new window), Hotel Management and Catering Technology (External
website that opens in a new window), Law (CLAT) (External website that opens in a new
window), etc. are also popular among the students.