128 Air Defence Missile Regiment
Active1951 – present
CountryIndia India
AllegianceIndia
Branch Indian Army
TypeCorps of Army Air Defence
SizeRegiment
Nickname(s)Sky Gladiators
Motto(s)Sky high excellence
ColorsSky Blue and Red
EquipmentAkash surface-to-air missiles[1]
Insignia
Abbreviation128 AD Msl Regt
Akash missiles of 128 AD Missile Regt during the 2019 Republic Day parade

128 Air Defence Missile Regiment is an Air Defence regiment of the Indian Army.

Formation

The regiment was raised on 1 April 1951 as a territorial army regiment at Arakkonam, Tamil Nadu. The first commanding officer was Lieutenant Colonel Atma Singh Pannu, MBE.[2]

History

At the time of its formation, the regiment was equipped with Bofors 40 mm L-60 anti-aircraft guns. The unit served at Arakkonam, Ferozepur and Madhopur.[2]

On 15 September 1973, the unit was converted into a regular air defence regiment.[3] It was equipped with L/70 guns and SFM radar. It served in Bombay, Udhampur, Jamnagar, Ferozepur, Srinagar and Surat.[2]

The war cry of the regiment is Ek Sau Atthai Karo Chadhai, Ek Sau Atthai Do or Die.

Operations

The regiment has taken part in the following operations-

Honours and awards

  • The regiment was awarded the Director General Army Air Defence's (DGAAD) unit appreciation award during its tenure in Srinagar for its use of air defence guns in direct firing role at the Line of Control (LoC).[2]
  • In addition to the Vir Chakra won during the 1971 war, the regiment has been awarded 13 COAS Commendation Cards, 2 VCOAS Commendation Cards and 8 GOC-in-C Commendation Cards.[2][6][7]
  • The regiment participated with its Akash surface-to-air missiles in the Republic Day parades of 2019, 2020 and 2022.[8]

References

  1. "India's military strength, cultural diversity at display during 71st Republic Day Parade". 2020-01-26. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "128 AD-Diamond Jubilee Indian Army Postal Cover". 2011-04-01. Retrieved 2020-10-17.
  3. "Regiment celebrates golden jubilee". 2001-04-09. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
  4. Gulati, YB (1972). History of the Regiment of Artillery, Indian Army. Leo Cooper. pp. 278–280. ISBN 978-0850521184.
  5. "Gazette of India, No 34, page 937" (PDF). 1972-08-19. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
  6. "List Of Personnel Awarded The Chief Of Army Staff Commendation Card On The Eve Of Army Day 2007". Retrieved 2021-03-08.
  7. "COAS Commendation Card 2016". Retrieved 2021-03-08.
  8. "India's military strength, cultural diversity at display during 71st Republic Day Parade". 2020-01-26. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
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