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Module - II Armed Forces

Structure and
Role of the Forces 4.1.2 Sub Divisions of the Army

The Army has further sub divisions where the soldiers are grouped into a fighting
force. The combat arms are infantry and armed corps others are combat support arms
and services unit. Infantry is organised as under:
Section : 10 soldiers make a Section
Note Platoon - 3 sections make a Platoon headed by a JCO (Junior Commissioned Officer)

Company - Three Platoons make a Company headed by a Company Commander
who is a Major or Lt.Colonel in rank.
Battalion - Four companies make a Battalion. This is the main fighting unit of infantry
and is commanded by a Battalion Commander in the rank of Colonel.

Brigade - Three battalions form a Brigade and commanded by Brigade Commander,
a Brigadier rank officer.
Division - Three to four Brigades make up a Division headed by a Major General who
is termed GOC (Division Commander). The Indian Army today has 37 divisions
including Infantry, Mountain, Armoured, Artillery and Re-organised Army Plains Infantry
Division or RAPIDS.

Corps - Three to four divisions make up a Corps. A Lieutenant General heads the
Corp as GOC (Corps Commander).
Command- Each command is led by General Officer Commanding-in-Chief with the
rank of Lieutenant General. India has 7 Commands of which six are operational
commands and one training command called ARTRAC (Army Training Command)

India also has tri aservices commands, namely the Strategic Forces Command,
Integrated Defense Staff (IDS) and the Andaman and Nicobar Command. These are
headed by Army Navy and Air Force officers on a rotational basis.

4.1.3 Organization of the Indian Army

Indian Army is organized in two parts - Combat Arms and Services.

Combat Arms

This is the fighting forces of the Army. This comprises :

1. Armoured Corps - This has replaced the cavalry or horses in Indian Army. It is
one of the main fighting arms of the modern army. It consists of tanks as its main
weapons. They also provide vital support to the Infantry (foot soldiers) by
providing cover when they are attacking the enemy positions.
2. Mechanized Infantry - Mechanised Infantry is the latest arm of the Indian
Army.

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MILITARY STUDIES