Pune : 10 January 2024

The Corps of Army Air Defence (AAD) celebrated its 31^st Raising Day on 10 January 2024 at Headquarters Southern Command with due remembrance to its glorious past & gritty resolve for an even better future with its war cry ‘Akashe Shatrun Jahi’ meaning ‘Shoot the Enemy in Air’.

Army Air Defence in India traces its origins to 1939, in pre-independent India when Anti-aircraft units were raised to counter Japanese air threat during World War-II. In its true sense, the raising of the Corps of Army Air Defence began on 15 September 1940 when Number 1 Anti-Aircraft Training Centre commenced its raising in Colaba (Mumbai) and was completed by January 1941 in Karachi. Post-independence, it remained a part of the Regiment of Artillery and later bifurcated as a separate arm on 10 January 1994, carving out a niche for itself as an operational critical and technical advanced Combat Support Arm of the Indian Army.

The transformation of the Corps of Army Air Defence is proceeding on a twin track of modernization 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.

Speaking on the occasion, Lt Gen AK Singh, AVSM, YSM, SM, VSM, GOC-in-C, Southern Command complimented the Air Defence warriors for their unwavering commitment & dedication and exhorted them to further strive for excellence in all fields. He emphasised that the modernisation program of the Corps is on track and is going to prove a vital combat enabler in enhancing overall operational capabilities of Indian Army.

The glorious history of the Corps is adorned by numerous honours and awards of which four Battle Honours, four Military Crosses, two Orders of the British Empire, one Medal of the British Empire, seven Indian Distinguished. Service Medals and two Ashok Chakras deserve a special mention.

 

MI/PM

 

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