Corps of Army Air Defence Marks 31st Raising Day with a Glimpse into Glorious Past and High-Tech Future
Pune, 10th January 2024: The Corps of Army Air Defence (AAD) celebrated its 31st Raising Day on January 10, 2024, at Headquarters Southern Command. The event commemorated its history and showcased determination for a brighter future with the war cry ‘Akashe Shatrun Jahi,’ meaning ‘Shoot the Enemy in Air.’
Army Air Defence in India originated in 1939 during pre-independent India, countering the Japanese air threat in World War-II. The Corps of Army Air Defence was officially raised on January 10, 1994, as a separate arm, establishing itself as a crucial and technologically advanced Combat Support Arm of the Indian Army.
The Corps is currently undergoing modernization and upgrading, incorporating new state-of-the-art weapon systems and enhancing existing ones. This transformation aims to make the Corps a modern and technologically enabled force, contributing significantly to the overall operational capabilities of the Indian Army.
Lt Gen AK Singh, GOC-in-C, Southern Command, praised the Air Defence warriors for their commitment and dedication, urging them to strive for excellence. He highlighted that the Corps’ modernization program is progressing well and will be a vital combat enabler for the Indian Army.
The Corps of Army Air Defence has a decorated history, earning several honors and awards, including 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.
