Modern Indian
India 1950+
The Indian army is the guardian of the worldâs largest democracy. The Indians have been at war with China and Pakistan at various times since independence in 1947. This army can be said to be more British than the British army from which it inherited its traditions and military ethos. It is also one of the worldâs largest standing armies. One of the biggest problems in representing a Third World army is the plethora of equipment from various sources. This variety of equipment is often serving alongside one another in the same units thus making for some interesting combinations. You will see a number of alternates offered to the official ORBAT feel free to change them out.
Indian Infantry Brigade Headquarters (Commands 3 Infantry Battalions)
HQ 1 HQ, 1 14.5AA (SA7 after 1975), 1 Truck
Indian Mechanized Infantry Brigade Headquarters (Commands 2 Mechanized Infantry Battalions and 1 Tank Regiment. There are two such units in the Indian Army)
HQ 1 HQ, 1 14.5AA (SA7 after 1975), 1 Truck
Engineer Troop 1 MTU, 1 Engr, 1 Truck
Indian Armored Brigade Headquarters (Commands 2 Tank Regiments, 1 Mechanized Infantry Battalion)
HQ 1 HQ, 1 14.5AA (SA7 after 1975), 1 Truck
Engineer Troop 1 MTU, 1 Engr, 1 Truck
Indian Independent Armored Brigade Headquarters (Commands 3 Tank Regiments, 1 Mechanized Infantry Battalion, 1 Artillery Regiment Self-Propelled, 1 Brigade Recon Squadron)
HQ 1 HQ, 1 14.5AA (SA7 after 1975), 1 Truck
Engineer Troop 1 MTU, 1 Engr, 1 Truck
Note There are eight such brigades in the Indian army.
Indian Artillery Brigade Headquarters (4 Artillery Regiments)
HQ 1 HQ
Engineer Troop 1 MTU, 1 Engr, 1 Truck
Indian Infantry Battalion 1950 to 1965
HQ 1 HQ, 1 Engr, 1 Truck
3 Rifle Companies each 3 Rifle
1 Anti Tank Company 2 Jeep/106
1 Support Company
1 76M, 2 MMG, 3 Truck
Indian Infantry Battalion 1966 to 1989
HQ 1 HQ, 1 Engr, 1 Truck
3 Rifle Companies each 3 Rifle
1 Anti Tank Company 2 Jeep/106
1 Support Company
1 81M, 1 MMG, 2 Truck
Note 82mm mortars are also available although the Indians have now standardized on 81mm. All 76mm (British 3â mortars) are held in reserve
Indian Infantry Battalion 1990+
HQ 1 HQ, 1 Engr, 1 Truck
3 Rifle Companies each 3 Rifle, 1 RPG7
1 Anti Tank Company 2 ATGW, 1 82mm, 3 Truck
1 Support Company
1 81M, 2 MMG, 1 AGS17, 3 Truck
Note Indians have a number of recoilless rifles (RR) for their inventory, they are:
Bazooka (2.7 and 3.5)
82mm B10
84mm Carl Gustav
106mm M1
107mm SG
Shown in the ORBAT are the most numerous. ATGW can be Milan or Spigot, possibly Sagger or Cobra but I found no information on that.
Indian Mechanized Infantry Battalion 1950 to 1975
HQ 1 HQ, 1 Engr, 1 APC
3 Rifle Companies each
3 Rifle, 3 APC
1 Anti Tank Company 2 Jeep/106
1 Mortar Company
2 76M, 2 Trucks (or BTR/M)
Note APC available are:
BTR152 (from 1960)
BTR60 (from 1970)
Indian Mechanized Infantry Battalion 1976+
HQ 1 HQ, 1 Engr, 1 APC
3 Rifle Companies each
3 Rifle, 3 APC
1 Anti Tank Company 2 ATGW, 1 82mm, 3 APC
1 Mortar Company
1 81M, 1 Truck
Note APC available are:
BTR152 (from 1960)
BTR60 (from 1970)
OT64 (from 1975)
BMP1 (from 1975)
BMP2 (from 1995)
Use the anti tank company in non-BMP units only. Only a limited number of BMP2 are available after 1995. Add 1 AGS17 GL and 1 more APC to the mortar company in 2002.
Indian Tank Regiment
HQ 1 HQ
1 Recon Squadron
2 Jeep/MG, 1 Jeep/106 (3 PT76 after 1985)
3 Tank Squadrons each 3 Tank
Note Tank types are:
Sherman (after 1950)
Centurion 5 (after 1960)
T54 (after 1960)
T55 (after 1966; Delete Sherman)
M48 (after 1960)
Vickers 2 (after 1967)
Centurion 13 (after 1975)
T62 (after 1976)
T72 (after 1980)
Vickers 3 (after 1982; Delete M48)
T55/105 (after 1983)
Arjun (after 1993)
Indian Artillery Regiment
4 Batteries each 1 FAO, 2 How, 2 Truck
Note Howitzer types are:
3.7H (mountain units before 1965)
25H (before 1966)
5.5H (until 1996)
105Ha (after 1960)
130H (after 1965)
155Ha (after 1960)
Abbot SP (after 1970)
155H (after 1985)
AS90 (after 1997)
India is standardizing on the 155mm NATO round in 2002. Any remaining pieces in service will be withdrawn and re-built to 155mm bore with Israeli assistance. Self-propelled units are in independent armored brigades. It looks like Abbot will be retained for the future despite being a 105mm. Mountain units are equipped with mortars; available are 107mm (in reserve now), 120mm and 160mm mortars. Indians have both the British and American design 107mm mortars.
Indian Anti Aircraft Regiment
4 Batteries each
2 AAG, 2 Trucks or 2 SPAA
Note AAG are:
40AA (until 1980)
BTR/AD (after 1965)
ZSU23 (after 1975)
2S6 is just starting to make an appearance in 2002.
Indian Brigade Recon Squadron
3 BRDM2
Note Staghound armored car prior to 1966, PT76 prior to 1975.
Indian Recon and Support Battalion (Until 2003)
HQ 1 HQ
1 Tank Squadron 3 PT76 (M3 to 1960, AMX13 to 1975)
1 BMP Company 3 Rifle, 3 BMP
1 BRDM Company 3 BRDM2
Note unit is used as a divisional recon unit. It operates by cross-attaching platoons to form three company sized recon teams. This ORBAT is due to be re-organized into a reconnaissance regiment.
Indian Reconnaissance Regiment (Replaces the recon and support battalion in 2003)
HQ 1 HQ
4 Recon Squadrons each
3 BRDM2, 1 PT76
1 Helo Flight 3 Mi24
Indian Divisional Anti Tank Company
3 BRDM2/AT (Jeep/S11 1968 to 1978, Jeep/TOW 1978 to 1989)
Indian Engineer Regiment
HQ 1 HQ
2 Engineer Squadrons each 3 Engr, 3 Truck
1 Bridging Squadron 2 Bridge, 2 Engr, 4 Truck
Indian Armored Engineer Regiment
HQ 1 HQ
2 Engineer Squadrons each 3 Engr, 3 Truck
Armored Engineer Squadron
3 PT54
Indian Attack Helicopter Squadron
2 Helo Flights each 2 Mi24 (Mi35 has been purchased)
Indian Transport Helicopter Squadron
2 Helo Flights each 2 Mi8 or Mi4
Large Units:
Infantry Division â 3 Infantry Brigades, 1 Artillery Brigade (1 Regiment 5.5H, 3 Regiments 155 or 105H, 1 120 Mortar Battery), 1 Tank Regiment (T55), 1 Engineer Regiment
Armored Division – 1 Armored Brigades, 1 Motorized Infantry Brigade, 1 Artillery Brigade (2 Regiments 155H), 1 Recon and Support Battalion, 1 Armored Engineer Regiment
Armored Division (1980) – 3 Armored Brigades, 1 Mechanized Infantry Battalion, 1 Artillery Brigade (1 Regiment 130H, 3 Regiments 155H), 1 Air Defense Group, 1 Recon and Support Battalion, 1 Armored Engineer Regiment
RAPID Division â 2 Infantry Brigades, 1 Artillery Brigade (1 Regiment 130H, 3 Regiments 105H, 1 BM21 Battery, 1 Gun Battery (ZSU23), 1 Armored Brigade (2 Tank Regiments and 2 Mechanized Infantry Battalions), 1 Divisional Anti Tank Company, 1 Attack Helicopter Flight, 1 Recon and Support Battalion, 1 Engineer Regiment
