Military Digest: Army Air Defence, which has roots in World War II, gets well-deserved recognition after Operation Sindoor

Indian Express

01-06-2025

One of the youngest arms of the Indian Army, the Corps of Army Air Defence (AAD) has been in the news during Operation Sindoor. At the forefront of interdicting Pakistani missiles and drones along with the Indian Air Force's air defence systems, the hitherto lesser-celebrated AAD has finally received its fair share of the limelight, and rightfully so.
It was during the Second World War that air defence units were first deployed in India, primarily in Bengal and Assam, to counter the Japanese air threats to major cities and ports, such as Calcutta and Chittagong, from their advanced air bases in Burma.
Official government handouts trace the origins of AAD back to 1939. 'In its true sense, the raising of the Corps of Army Air Defence began on 15 Sep 1940 when Number 1 Anti Aircraft Training Centre commenced its raising in Colaba (Mumbai) and was completed by Jan 1941 in Karachi,' a Press Information Bureau statement from January 20, 2023, reads.
Initially a part of the Regiment of Artillery, it was carved out as a separate Corps in the mid-90s. According to britishmilitarymilitary.co.uk, a website giving out historical military information, the first Indian Anti-Aircraft Brigade was formed in February 1942 to assume command of the anti-aircraft units stationed in the Calcutta area. Its commander was Brigadier G P Thomas.
'On 1 February 1942, the 8th Battalion, 7th Rajput Regiment converted from an infantry role into an anti-aircraft role as was redesignated as the 7th Indian H.A.A. Regiment. The regiment joined this brigade on its formation, but was posted away to come under command of the 9th Anti-Aircraft Brigade in Assam in June 1943. The regiment also later served with the 13th Anti-Aircraft Brigade in the Arakan,' the website states.
Another battalion of the Rajputana Rifles, the 9th Battalion of the 6th Rajputana Rifles, converted to the anti-aircraft regiment on May 1, 1942, and joined the second Indian Anti-Aircraft Brigade after completing its training. The second Indian Anti-Aircraft Brigade was formed in May 1942 to assume command of anti-aircraft units stationed in the Calcutta and Bengal areas. Brigadier Henry Herbert Montague Oliver was its commander.
This Brigade was deployed to cover Calcutta and the Bengal airfields. 'By December 1944, all the units had been posted from the Brigade, although it remained on the order of battle for India Command until at least March 1945,' says the British military history website.
The AAD has come a long way since the first battle inoculations of World War II. It was further blooded in the 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan, in which its regiments played a major role in the defence of airfields and vital installations.
However, in recent years, adequate attention has been paid to the AAD as an arm. While there has been an upgradation of equipment, the induction of new weapon systems, and a re-visiting of old doctrines of air defence employment, the Corps as a whole has been treated as an adjunct rather than a key enabling element.
The appointment of Lt Gen Nav Kumar Khanduri as the first AAD Army Commander a few years ago was a welcome development and was seen as an important step towards encouraging AAD officers to step out of the Corps and join the General Cadre.
In the context of Operation Sindoor, Army Air Defence has distinguished itself with honour. In the new age of warfare, where drone attacks and anti-drone measures form a key part, the AAD will play a significant role.