(a) whether India has been adjudged as the fourth strongest army in the world;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the criteria / methods followed to declare the army’s strength of a country; and
(d) the total number of staff working in the army, navy and air force in the country?
MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)
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(a) to (c): There is no such internationally accepted institutional mechanism to rank the nations based on the size and shape of their armed forces. However, India has robust strength of the armed forces, to safeguard the borders and protect the unity, integrity and sovereignty of the Nation.
(d) The number of staff in the three forces is as follows:
OFFICERS:
Indian Army:
(excluding Medical, Dental and Nursing)
42253
Indian Air Force:
(excluding Medical & Dental branch)
12375
Indian Navy: 10621
SOLDIERS / SAILORS / AIRMEN:
Indian Army 1194864*
Indian Air Force 127519
Indian Navy 56214
* excluding 2198 APS Non-Reg JCO/OR.
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