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Role and Equipment used by the Armed Forces Module -IV
Indian Armed Forces :
• Patrol Vessel : Patrol Vessels are employed for border protection roles, Weapons and War Equip-

including anti-smuggling and anti-piracy. They also undertake rescue operations. ment and Modernisation
• Amphibious Warfare Ship : Amphibious Warfare Ships are used to deploy
ground troops during an amphibious assault. India has 10 Amphibious Warfare
Ships.
• Minesweeper : A minesweeper is a small naval designed to clear mines in
Note
water and make the waterways safe for shipping and movement of own warships.

ACTIVITY 10.11

Find out the names of each type of ship used in the Indian Navy. Collect pictures of
each type of ship and paste in your notebook.

Intext Questions 10.3

1. What is an attack Submarines ?

2. What is the role of Frigates ?

3. What is a Minesweeper ?

4. Highlight the task of a Destroyer.

10.3 The Indian Air Force, its Role and Equipment

The Indian Air Force was raised on 08 Oct 1932 as a supplementary support for the
British Air force. It was called Royal Indian Air Force. Post-independence, after the
country became Republic in 1950 the Royal Indian Air Force was rechristened Indian
Air Force (IAF). Since 1950 the IAF has participated in four wars with Pakistan and
one with China. The IAF has excelled in operations like Operation Vijay, Operation
Meghdoot, Operation Cactus and Pawan.

The IAF's has also been shouldering the responsibility of actively contributing with its
manpower and aircrafts for the United Nations Peace Keeping Missions. The IAF
today is ranked fourth in the world owing to its might and professionalism. It is
modernising at an accelerated pace and stands as a credible air power amongst the
foremost Air Force powers in the world. The IAF has in its inventory, Fighters, Transport
aircrafts, Helicopters, Air Defence Missiles and Radars. The aircrafts held by the IAF
are highlighted below :

10.3.1 Fighters

MiG-21 BISON- Single engine, single seater multirole fighter/ground attack aircraft
of Russian origin which forms the backbone of the IAF. It has a maximum speed of

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MILITARY STUDIES 13