PUNE: The youngest arm of Indian Army, Corps of Army Air Defence (AAD), celebrated its 25th Raising Day on Wednesday. The silver jubilee celebrations will be held next year after physical completion of 25 years in service of the nation.
Army Air Defence in India traces its origin to 1939, in pre-independence India when anti-aircraft units were raised to counter Japanese air threat. Post-independence, it remained a part of the Regiment of Artillery and later bifurcated as a separate arm in 1994.
“The transformation of the Corps of Army Air Defence is proceeding on a twin track of modernisation-cum-upgradation. This involves the induction of new state-of-the-art weapon systems, as well as qualitative upgradation of the existing systems. Today, the Corps is at a critical juncture of transforming into a modern and technologically enabled force,” stated a press release from the Southern Command.
Army Commander Lieutenant General DR Soni, chief of Pune-headquartered Southern Command exhorted Air Defence gunners to strive for excellence on this occasion. AAD has always remained dedicated to keeping the country’s skies free of enemy intrusion. AAD units have also been in action so far as nation-building and disaster management activities are concerned.
The glorious history of the Corps is adorned by four battle honours, three Military Crosses, one Member of British Empire, two Ashok Chakras, four Kirti Chakras, seven Param Vishist Seva Medals, 16 Ati Vishist Seva Medals, 21 Vir Chakras, seven Shaurya Chakras, 107 Sena Medals, 33 Vishist Seva Medals and seven Unit Appreciations.
