Army Air Defence College

2022-11-25T07:55:09Z

117.207.10.97:

{{Infobox university
| name = Army Air Defence College
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| image = Logo of Army Air Defence College.gif
| image_size = 100px
| image_alt =
| caption =
| latin_name =
| other_name = 
| former_name = *Anti-Aircraft Technical Training Battery

*Air Defence & Guided Missile School and Centre (1989–1998)
| motto =
| motto_lang =
| mottoeng =
| established = {{start date|1940}}
| closed = 
| type = [[Military]]
| affiliation = [[Corps of Army Air Defence (India)|Corps of Army Air Defence]]
| endowment =
| budget =
| officer_in_charge =
| head_label = Commandant<ref name="Lt Gen Satinder Singh AVSM">{{cite web|title=Commandant|url=http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=Ibg/UY4rgJfwFIDTFu0Iiw==&ParentID=lV8Jh/wUTRaQyNhmjkeJRg==|website=Indian Army AAD|publisher=GOI|access-date=23 October 2022}}</ref>
| head = Lt Gen U V Talur, [[Vishisht Seva Medal|VSM]]
| city = [[Gopalpur, Odisha|Gopalpur Cantonment]], Gopalpur
| state = [[Odisha]]
| province =
| country = India
| coor = {{Coord|19.260529|84.8689369|display=inline}}<ref>{{cite web|title=19°15'37.9"N 84°52'08.2"E|url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/19%C2%B015'37.9%22N+84%C2%B052'08.2%22E/@19.260529,84.868937,11z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x0?hl=en|website=Google Maps|access-date=23 October 2022}}</ref>
| campus = 2728.568 acres (approx)<ref name="History AAD Centre-Army Official" />
| language =
| free_label = Inaugurated by<ref name="History AAD Centre-Army Official" />
| free = [[Indira Gandhi]]
| colors = {{color box|#81BFFD}} {{color box|#DB0606}}<br />Sky Blue & Red
| athletics =
| sports =
| athletics_nickname = 
| mascot = 
| sporting_affiliations =
| website = [http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTemp2PLT_AloneLM3C.aspx?MnId=yUi5D0j7/54jS4VbygAF7w==&ParentID=faXBpfOo38XJ/cBEX6Xhsw== AADC-Indian Army]
| logo =
| footnotes =
}}

The '''Army Air Defence College''', (abbreviated as AADC), is the training academy for the [[Corps of Army Air Defence (India)|Army Air Defence Corps]] of [[Indian Army]]. The college is located in the Gopalpur Military Station in [[Gopalpur, Odisha|Gopalpur]], [[Odisha]]. It spreads over an area of 2700 acres of land. The primary objective of the academy is to impart technical and operational knowledge to the personnel of Indian Army posted to the Corps of Army Air Defence (AAD) about the [[air defence systems]] and [[anti-aircraft warfare]]. Besides the army personnel, the academy also trains personnel from [[Indian Navy|navy]], [[Indian Air Force|air force]] and officers from [[Foreign relations of India|friendly foreign nations]].

The history of the academy dates back to mid 1940s when anti-aircraft training battery was established by the [[British Raj|British]] in July 1940 at [[Karachi]] (now [[Pakistan]]) to train the troops deputed to the newly established air defence artillery. Post-independence Air Defence & Guided Missile School and Centre was established at Gopalpur. The school was later renamed as 'Army Air Defence College (AADC)' in 1998. The academy enjoyed autonomy after the splitting of the Corps of Army Air Defence from the Regiment of Artillery. In 2008, the Army Air Defence Centre was also merged into this academy.

Infrastructural facilities of the academy include simulators several missile systems used by corps and seaward [[firing range]]s about 75 km. The campus has facilities for sports and [[Adventure sports|adventure activities]] such as [[sailing]], [[water skiing]], [[rowing]] and [[para sailing]].<ref name="History AAD Centre-Army Official">{{cite web|title=History AAD Centre|url=http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTemp1PLargeMC2C.aspx?MnId=PVhybuXDIWS6viARCWaVow==&ParentID=f35IHf6cUv9kLRVK/en9mQ==|website=Indian Army|access-date=23 October 2022}}</ref><ref name="AADC-Army Offcial">{{cite web|title=Army Air Defence College|url=http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTemp2PLT_AloneLM3C.aspx?MnId=18fvtHdQqfqfWRLcIenWAQ==&ParentID=MhqoOQbDRvnydKGlyjn8aA==&flag=ZiNFk56tERW5WUwfcUQShA==|website=Indian Army|publisher=Government of India|access-date=23 October 2022}}</ref><ref name="AADC-Intro-Army Official">{{cite web|title=AADC|url=http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTemp2PLT_AloneLM3C.aspx?MnId=yUi5D0j7/54jS4VbygAF7w==&ParentID=faXBpfOo38XJ/cBEX6Xhsw==|website=IA|publisher=GOI|access-date=23 October 2022}}</ref><ref name="22nd RAISING DAY AT GOPALPUR MILITARY STATION">{{cite news|title=22nd RAISING DAY AT GOPALPUR MILITARY STATION|url=http://www.orissabarta.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3297:22nd-raising-day-at-gopalpur-military-station&catid=35:top-stories|access-date=9 June 2016|work=www.orissabarta.com}}</ref>

==History==
===Pre-independence===

In July 1940, government established training schools for anti-aircraft and [[coastal defence and fortification|coastal defence]] wings at Karachi. These schools predominantly trained the Indian personnel including [[commissioned officers|commissioned]], [[Junior commissioned officer|junior commissioned]] and [[non-commissioned officer|non-commissioned]] officers in [[anti-aircraft warfare]]. Unlike the Coastal Artillery School (CAS), which was moved to [[Deolali]], the anti-aircraft training school continued at [[Karachi]] till 1947.<ref name="History AAD Centre-Army Official" /><ref name="Concise encyclopaedia of India">{{cite book|author1=Kulwant Rai Gupta|author2=Amita Gupta|title=Concise encyclopaedia of India|date=2006|publisher=Atlantic Publishers & Distributors|location=New Delhi|isbn=9788126906376}}</ref><ref name="Indian army, a reference manual" /><ref name="India: A Reference Annual" />

===Post-independence===
Following the [[Independence of India|independence]] in August 1947, the training school was moved and merged into the air defence wing of [[Military academies in India#Indian Army|School of Artillery]] in [[Deolali]]. Initially ten courses were proposed for training at different stages in anti-aircraft warfare.

In 1955, Due to lack of facilities and firing ranges available for firing of missiles and other air defence weapon systems, it was proposed to relocate the wing. After the approval of setting up the academy in the 3000 acres of land given by the [[Government of Orissa]] in 1968, the government authorized the establishment of Air Defence & Guided Missile School and Centre in 1979. On 1 November 1989, the Air Defence & Guided Missile School and Centre was formally inaugurated as a part of Gopalpur military cantonment.

After the bifurcation of 'Corps of Air Defence Artillery' (later [[Corps of Army Air Defence (India)|Corps of Army Air Defence]]) from the Regiment of Artillery in 1994, the college was awarded autonomous status from 10 January 1994.

The 'Air Defence & Guided Missile School and Centre' was rechristened as 'Army Air Defence College' (AADC) in 1998. Later in 2008, the Army Air Defence Centre was also relocated to Army Air Defence College.<ref name="AADC-Army Offcial" /><ref name="Concise encyclopaedia of India" /><ref name="India: A Reference Annual" /><ref name="India, 2004: a reference annual" /><ref name="Indian army, a reference manual" />

== Infrastructure ==
The college is equipped with several types of simulators, coordinate remote viewers, working models, cut sections and actual parts of the different types of radars, guns, artillery, missile and air defence systems used by the corps. These include [[ZSU-23-4]]B "Shilka", [[2K22 Tunguska|Tunguska Gun Missile System]], [[Bofors 40 mm gun#40 mm L/70|L/70 Gun Systems]], [[ZU-23-2|Zu 23 mm gun systems]], [[9K33 Osa]] and its variants and the ingeniously developed [[Akash]] surface-to-air missile. Besides these, the college holds a computer and electronic lab, combat simulator room and control complexes etc.

Apart from these the college has a library (known as 'Nalanda Library'), an auditorium ( known as 'AIMA Auditorium') and a lake for different aqua and sailing activities and adventure sports.<ref name="Infrastructure-AADC-Army Official">{{cite web|title=Infrastructure|url=http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTemp19P19C.aspx?MnId=Mt5VFpPiKI5rRAEM/rn4Jw==&ParentID=787axZaXAAQaKwBpEmZfeg==|website=Indian Army|publisher=GOI|access-date=23 October 2022}}</ref><ref name="Army Air Defence">{{cite web|title=Army Air Defence|url=http://indianprideholders.blogspot.in/2012/01/indian-army-air-defence.html|website=indianprideholders.blogspot.in|access-date=9 June 2022}}</ref><ref name="India: A Reference Annual">{{cite book|title=India: A Reference Annual|date=2005|publisher=Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting|isbn=9788123012308}}</ref><ref name="India, 2004: a reference annual">{{cite book|author1=India. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting|author2=Research and Reference Division|title=India, 2004: a reference annual|year=2004|publisher=India. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting|isbn=9788123011561}}</ref><ref name="Indian army, a reference manual">{{cite book|author1=Gautam Sharma|title=Indian army, a reference manual|date=2000|publisher=Reliance Pub. House|location=New Delhi|isbn=9788175101142}}</ref>

=== Gopalpur seaward firing ranges ===

The college hosts a seaward firing range, known as Gopalpur seaward firing ranges with a range about 75 km, to give the personnel practical knowledge about the air defence systems and missile firing. This range can be used for all types of Indian Army air defence systems. The ingenuously developed pilot-less target aircraft: [[DRDO Lakshya]], is used as the [[target drone]].<ref name="Infrastructure-AADC-Army Official" /><ref name="Indian army, a reference manual" />

== Commandants ==
The Commandant of Army Air Defence College is the head of the academy. The inaugural holder is Major General Y R Jetley, VSM. Initially the position was held by a [[two-star general]] and later it was elevated to the rank of [[three-star general]]. The present commandant is Lt Gen U V Talur, [[Vishisht Seva Medal|VSM]].

{| class="wikitable"
|+ List of Commandants of Army Air Defence College<ref name="Previous Commandants AADC">{{cite web|title=Previous Commandants|url=http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmPhotoGalleryWithMenuWithTitle.aspx?MnId=JeYqnri7JBultOqDJxzhSA==&ParentID=lll3Fq5SyJhQTiiYhdy8+g==|website=Indian Army|access-date=23 October 2022}}</ref><ref name="Director General – Photo Gallery Army Official">{{cite web|title=Director General – Photo Gallery|url=http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmPhotoGalleryWithMenuWithTitle.aspx?MnId=gi0Uw4kcSIaT4fp7ZEMikg==&ParentID=LO8UBEhUBYb+EXkJwRWfgg==|website=Indian Army|publisher=Government of India|access-date=23 October 2022}}</ref>
! S.No!! Rank!!Name!! Appointment date!! Left office !! Later served as the <br>[[Corps of Army Air Defence (India)#Director General|DG of Corps of Army Air Defence]]
|-
| 1||[[Major General|Maj Gen]] || Y R Jetley, [[Vishisht Seva Medal|VSM]]|| 15 July 1991 || 31 October 1993|| No
|-
| 2||Maj Gen ||Jagjeet Singh|| 1 November 1993 ||21 December 1995||No
|-
| 3|| Maj Gen||S P Malhotra, [[Vishisht Seva Medal|VSM]]|| 22 December 1995 ||30 September 1997||No
|-
| 4|| Maj Gen|| Naresh Chand || 1 October 1997 ||31 January 2001||Yes
|-
| 5||Maj Gen||P K Saighal||2 February 2001 ||28 February 2002||No
|-
| 6|| Maj Gen||J S Mahil, AVSM || 19 April 2002 ||7 June 2003||No
|-
| 7|| Maj Gen|| R K Sudan, [[AVSM]]|| 23 June 2003 ||31 January 2006||No
|-
| 8|| Maj Gen|| Ram Pratap, [[Vishisht Seva Medal|VSM]]|| 2 February 2006 ||4 July 2008||Yes
|-
| 9||Maj Gen|| V K Saxena, [[Vishisht Seva Medal|VSM]]|| 5 July 2008 ||18 September 2009||No
|-
| 10|| [[Lieutenant General|Lt Gen]]|| Kuldip Singh, [[AVSM]]|| 1 December 2008 ||30 June 2011||Yes
|-
| 11||Lt Gen|| Dr V K Saxena, [[PVSM]], [[AVSM]], [[Vishisht Seva Medal|VSM]]|| 1 July 2011 ||30 June 2013||Yes
|-
| 12|| Lt Gen|| Rajiv Bhatia, [[AVSM]]|| 1 July 2013 ||31 May 2015||Yes
|-
| 13||Lt Gen || A K Sahgal, [[Vishisht Seva Medal|VSM]], ADC|| 1 June 2015 ||31 December 2016||Yes
|-
| 14||Lt Gen || P S Jaggi || 30 January 2017 ||15 December 2017||Yes
|-
| 15||Lt Gen || A P Singh, PhD || 16 December 2017 ||23 January 2019||Yes
|-
| 16||Lt Gen || Satinder Singh, [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal|AVSM]]|| 24 January 2019 ||31 July 2022||No
|-
|17
|Lt Gen
|U V Talur, [[Vishisht Seva Medal|VSM]]
|01 August 2022
|Till Date
|
|}

==Mishaps and accidents==
In November 2014, three officers all of [[captain (armed forces)|captain rank]], 1JCO and 1 [[non commissioned officer]] have been injured seriously during a regular firing practice at the firing ranges. The injured personnel were moved to [[Kolkata]] for treatment. Army has ordered for an inquiry regarding the mishap.<ref name="4 Hurt in Defence College Blast">{{cite news|title=4 Hurt in Defence College Blast|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2014/11/24/4-Hurt-in-Defence-College-Blast/article2538397.ece|access-date=9 June 2016|work=The New Indian Express}}</ref><ref name="3 officers, 1 havildar injured during firing practice at Army Air Defence College in Odisha">{{cite news|author1=Jugal R Purohit|title=3 officers, 1 havildar injured during firing practice at Army Air Defence College in Odisha|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/army-air-defence-college-mishap-firing-practice-explosion-young-officers-havildar-gopalpur-odisha/1/403393.html|access-date=9 June 2016|work=indiatoday.intoday.in}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Military academies of India]]
[[Category:Air defence units and formations]]

IndianPedia - User contributions [en]

Army Air Defence College