Indian Armed Forces Headquarters in India
The primary objective of the Indian Defence Policy is to foster and maintain peace in the subcontinent while ensuring the armed forces are properly equipped. The President of India serves as the supreme commander of the Indian Armed Forces, and the responsibility for national defence lies with the Union Cabinet. The Defence Minister is accountable to the parliament for all defense-related matters. The Indian Armed Forces consist of three services – Army, Navy, and Air Force, each operating under its respective Chief of Staff. India boasts the second-largest Army, the fourth-largest Air Force, and the seventh-largest Navy globally. Here, we present a list of the Command Headquarters of the Indian Armed Forces.
Indian Army Headquarters In India
The headquarters of the Indian Army is located in New Delhi, the capital city of India. The headquarters is known as the “Army Headquarters (AHQ)” and is situated in the South Block of the Secretariat Building at Raisina Hill. It serves as the central command and administrative centre for the Indian Army. The Chief is “Chief of Army Staff”.
Indian Army Commands
In the Indian Army, there are six operational commands and one training command. Each command is overseen by a Lieutenant General who holds the position of General Officer Commanding-in-Chief. These commands directly report to the Army Headquarters located in New Delhi. It is noteworthy that the President of India serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Armed Forces.
Command | Headquarters |
---|---|
Northern Command | Udhampur |
Western Command | Chandigarh |
Eastern Command | Kolkatta |
Southern Command | Pune |
Central Command | Lucknow |
South-Western Command | Jaipur |
Army Training Command | Shimla |
Note: Each Command of the Indian Army is commanded by a General Officer Commanding in Chief of the rank of Lieutenant General.
Indian Navy Headquarters in India
The Chief is an Admiral ranked “Chief of the Naval Staff”. The headquarters is in New Delhi. The Naval Commands are commanded by Flag officers Commanding-in-chief of the rank of Vice-Admiral. The NHQ is responsible for the overall administration, planning, and coordination of the Indian Navy.
Indian Navy Commands
The Indian Navy is a versatile force established to safeguard India’s maritime territorial integrity and other naval interests. It is led by the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), who holds the rank of Admiral, and the headquarters is situated in New Delhi. The Indian Navy has the following three Commands –
Command | Headquarters |
---|---|
Eastern Command | Visakhapatnam |
Western Command | Mumbai |
Southern Command | Kochi |
Note: Each Command of the Indian Navy is Commanded by Flag Officers Commanding-in-Chief of the rank of Vice-Admiral.
Indian Air Force Headquarters in India
The headquarters of the Indian Air Force (IAF) is known as Air Headquarters and is located in New Delhi, the capital city of India. It is situated at Vayu Bhawan, which is located at the intersection of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Road and Akbar Road, near India Gate. The Chief is an Air Chief Marshal ranked ‘ Chief of the Air Staff’.
Air Headquarters serves as the central command and administrative centre for the Indian Air Force. It is where the top leadership of the IAF is based, including the Chief of Air Staff (CAS) and his staff. Air Headquarters is responsible for strategic planning, policy formulation, coordination, and overall management of the Indian Air Force.
Indian Air Force Commands
The Air Force is organized into seven commands (five operational and two functional commands). Each is responsible for a specific geographic region or operational domain.
Command | Headquarters |
---|---|
Eastern Air Command | Shillong |
South-Western Air Command | Gandhinagar |
Southern Air Command | Thiruvananthapuram |
Western Air Command | New Delhi |
Central Air Command | Allahabad |
Maintenance Command | Nagpur |
Training Command | Bangalore |