BACKGROUNDIndian Army is a largest component of Indian Armed Forces. Indian Army was founded on 1 April 1895. President of India serves as commander-in-chief. Indian Army approximately have 1,129,900 active personnel, 960,000 reserve personnel and 104 aircraft. Based on IndiaNetzone (2008), History of Indian Army is when they are want to be the soldier, they can traced back to the ancient periods in India. The earliest mention of Indian Army is found in the ancient texts and scriptures, including the Vedas and the epics Mahabharata and Ramayana. The History of Indian Army focused on fighting traditions and science of warfare are just not merely 200 years old. Good tactics and strategy was get support by military science. For a long time period, when Dharma take place daily routine a person, the warfare had to be undertaken frequently. For example, Dharma Yuddha original can be found in the 2 Indian epics namely Ramayana and Mahabharata. No base means were used and the dignity of man as a warrior, victor and vanquisher was maintained always. History of Indian Army mentions that in ancient India the organization of the army altered with changing dynasties. 

History of Indian Army mentions that in ancient India the organization of the army altered with changing dynasties. 

Ancient History of Indian Army

IndiaNetzone(2008) added, Indian Army take a long time to describes that the Rig Vedic tribes of Indo-Aryans that involve in warfare with other tribes, as well as with each other. The Rig Veda describes the utilization of horse-drawn chariots set with spikes and weapons constructed with bronze. The other weapons that were usually employed from the earliest times until about 1000 AD were primarily bow and arrow, sword, spear and axe. A large number of other weapons were also employed as is evident from the ruins of Mohenjodaro, Sanchi, Udaigiri and Harappa. The infantry and cavalry used a long cylindrical pipe and fired it in the manner of a gun of the modern times. This would indicate the active use of gun-powder in ancient India. Further, the ancient army was composed of the infantry, cavalry, chariots, elephants and a commissariat department. Even the admiralty or position constituted a separate department. The higher echelons of command were very well organized and it was considered to be a very efficient system with the large number of military dignitaries and officials. The duties of each person were laid down in great detail which indicates a deep study of the art of war. The composition of the armed forces and employment of balanced forces kept on varying according to the needs of the times. Ample utilisation of intelligence strategies was made and the securing of decisions by means other than by often hostilities. Even though chariots and horses were employed, they were more for dignity and show than for obtaining tactical superiority. Later Ashoka formed the espionage section in his army to protect his states.

Indian Army in Modern India

IndiaNetzone(2008) also added, Modern India has observed several valorous soldiers who have laid down their lives for their motherland. The names of such warriors have been immortalised in the history of Indian army. Whether in the Indo-China Conflict or the Kashmir attacks, Indian military history states, with pride, that their troops have always fruitfully forced the invaders to retreat. In fact, whenever the outsiders have tried to disturb the harmony and peace of India, the Indian army has marched to the battleground and vanquished the trespassers. 

History of Indian Army shows that since ancient times a conventional method of warfare was followed. Hence the structure, strength and the policies differed in the various empires, but what remained unaltered, was the undeterred bravery with which the courageous men faced their foes. Indian Army that is well regarded as the epitome of chivalry, gallantry and intrepidity, is the subcontinent’s guardian against all kinds of intrusions. The Indian army assures and makes certain that every civilian can assuredly retreat to slumber whilst they are guarding the border of the nation round the clock, with their lives with highly developed and technically advanced weapons and best strategic planning. 

Major Command

Northern Command, HQ at Udhampur. Northern Command is a Command of the Indian Army. In 1895, British Indian Army was originally formed. Then, canceled after the independence of India in 1947 and renewed in 1972. Now, Commander Lt Gen DS Hooda as command. Western Command, HQ at Chandimandir. Western Command is the formation of the Indian Army, active since 1947. It has seen action during the Indo-Pakistan wars of 1947, 1965 and 1971. Lt. Gen. Kamal Jit Singh is now commander. South Western Command, HQ at Jaipur. South Western Command born in 15 April 2005 and fully operational on 15 August 2005. There is a lot of headquartered at Jaipur, Rajasthan. Now, Lt Gen Arun Kumar Sahani as commander. Central Command, HQ at Lucknow. Central Command of the Indian Army and one of the seven operational commands of the army. Now, Lt Gen. Rajan Bakhshi is the present commander. Southern Command, HQ at Pune. Southern Command is a formation of Indian Army, active since 1895. It has seen during the integration of several Princely States into modern India. Modern India turn during the 1961 Indian Annexation of Goa, and during the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pakistani Wars. Now, Lt Gen Ashok Singh as a commander. Eastern Air Command, HQ at Kolkata. Eastern Air Command was founded in 27 May 1958. Currently headquartered in Shillong in Meghalaya. Now, Marshal C Hari Kumar as commander.

Arms

Arms covers those troops which carry out actual operation for example infantry, Infantry, Armored Corps, Mechanized Infantry, Regiment of Artillery, Army Air Defense, Corps of Engineers, Corps of Signals and Intelligence Corps.

Services

The remaining components of the army. Providing logistic and administration for the army as their primary duty such as Army Dental Corps, Army Education Corps, Army Medical Corps, Army Ordnance Corps, Physical Training Corps, Postal Service Corps, Army Service Corps, Corps of EME, Corps of Military Police, Defense Security Corps, Judge Advocate General,

Military Farms Service, Military Nursing Service, Pioneer Corps and Remount and Veterinary.

Structure

INVENTORIES MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE

For army inventory must have composition. Army inventory consist of a combination range of items included weapon systems and complete equipment such as guns, tanks, radars, helicopters and vehicles. This called as Capital Equipment, Primary Items or Class A stores. These is contributed the main tools of trade for the army. Repair spares, expandable stores and replaceable for weapon support system and equipment classified as Secondary Items or Class B stores. Class B stores also for clothing needed for equipping and the upkeeps of troops. Then, the item must category for example Warlike stores for fighting vehicle, radar, guns, missiles and other items for war. While Non-Warlike Stores items is for clothing, tyres, tube and under this category. Stocks are thought or provided for repairable, insurance, maintenance, reserve, overhaul and modification kits. Next, for operating system, the system operates through Central Ordnance Depot acting as mother depots. Role of ordinance services, Army Ordnance Corps (AOC), which forms bulk of managerial and supervisory cadres and a civilian component which provides the store keeping. Ordnance Service provide that consists of all requirement for Army

except food, fuel and fodder and medical supplies. The Corps of Engineers are specialists for machinery and plant. Basically, Ordnance are responsible for provision, receipt, storage, issue and disposal of all Ordnance stores including ammunition and explosives. They do have other secondary responsibilities. Director General Ordnance Services (DGOS) as the head of the Army Ordnance Services is responsible to the Master General of the Ordnance (MGO) for administration and direction of Ordnance Services. Organisational Chart of Ordnance at Army HQ is given at Annexure ‘B’.DGOS is responsible in peace and war for Provision, receipt, storage, preservation, accounting, stocktaking and issue of Ordnance Stores such as armament, engineering, signal and wireless stores, Mechanical Transport (MT) spares, vehicles, ammunition, clothing and necessaries to the Army. Repair and modifications to Ordnance Stores, which are not the responsibility of the EME. These are usually low technology items. Inspection, repair, proof-test, conversion and disposal of ammunition and explosive. Disposal action in respect of unwanted and unserviceable stores. Training and development of its manpower, both combatant and civilians. For AOC Establishments and Units, the more important executive establishments and units of the Ordnance Services are Central Ordnance/Ammunition/Vehicle Depots, Ordnance/Ammunition/Vehicle Depots, Advance Base Ordnance Depots, Field Ordnance/Ammunition Depots, Divisional Ordnance Units, Ordnance Stores Sections attached to ABWs, Technical Stores Sections attached to EME workshops, Central Aviation Stores Depot and Regional Aviation Depot. Then the main training and administrative establishments of Ordnance Services are College of Materials Management Jabalpur and AOC Centre and Records Secunderabad.

The Centre Ordnance Depots. The nature and range of items carried by these Depots as also their tonnages and value as on 31 March 1999 are shown in the table below: -

Table: 1.1: Nature, number, tonnage and value of the inventory maintained by the Central Ordnance Depots as on 31 March 1999

SrNoName of Depot

Nature/Range of itemsNo. of items

TonneValue (Rs in crore)

1.COD Agra

Radio sets, Line Equipment, Radars, Charging sets, generating sets, instruments, Fire Control Instruments (FCIs) and related spares and sighting devices

121945 10262 5993

2.COD Jabalpur

Armament/small arms with related spares, water transportation equipment and its spares.

58820 58408 1624

3. COD Delhi

Vijayanta spares, ‘B’ vehicle spares, Machinery and its spares.

103894 122902 603

Cantt.

4.COD Dehu Road

East European Countries (EEC) ‘B’ Vehicle spares, and fire fighting equipment and its spares.

40362 26151 447

5.COD Bombay

Tyres, Tubes, laboratory and chemical equipment, cinematographic equipment with its spares and scania spares.

7563 1594 116

6.COD Kanpur

Clothing, Barrack Stores and air-borne equipment.

5893 80162 807

7.COD Chheoki

General Stores and ‘B’ Vehicles. 10439 39599 135

8.CAFVD Kirkee

EEC ‘A’ vehicles and spares, EEC specialist vehicles.

53789 59768 306

Total 402705 398846 10031

There are a few main functions of Central Depots are to act as central inventory points for stores/ equipment dealt with by them and related spares from sources both in India and abroad. Then to supply stores in bulk to various depots like Command Ordnance Depots, Advance Base Ordnance Depots, Field Ordnance Depots, Ordnance Stores Sections of Army Base Workshops as well as para military and police forces. To hold reserve stocks as authorized, to manage the repair/overhaul of equipment through Army Base Workshops, to receive stores returned by units, to repair/fabricate items in the depot to the extent possible and to initiate action for disposal of unserviceable and redundant inventory.

DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

1. What is the characteristic of an effective inventory management?

Firstly, the inventory label is easy to read. Then, all inventory management procedures have policies and a plan. Lastly, manage using a computerized system to track inventory activity.

2. Which mode of transportation that been used by Indian Army to manage deliver their inventory?

Land carrier

BEML Tatra : Tank carrier

BTR-50 : Infrantry carrier

NAMICA : Missile carrier

Air carrier

Hal Dhruv

Hal Cheetah, Cheetal, and Lancer

Hal Chetak and Chetan

3. What is the importance of inventory management?

Firstly, to smooth the operation. Then, need have a high profit with a less expenditure. Other than that, to conduct the flow of the organization. Lastly, to have all goods and storage in a good condition and have a systematic operation.

CONCLUSION

This research has expand our knowledge on how Indian Army manage their inventories. Besides, this research also has put us on another level of knowing the Indian army asset and warehouse. Furthermore, his research is important for us to adapt good information for us in Malaysia. Last but not least, a good management is important to smooth the operation.

REFERENCE

Pike, J. (2015). Army. Retrieved November 11, 2015, from http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/army.htm

Pike, J. (2015). Indian Army Equipment. Retrieved November 11, 2015, from http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/army-equipment.htm

The Indian Pinaka MLRS. (2015). Retrieved November 11, 2015, from http://tanknutdave.com/the-indian-pinaka-mlrs/

Pike, J. (2015). Pinaka Multibarrel Rocket Launcher. Retrieved November 11, 2015, from http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/pinaka.htm

Chapter 1 : Introduction. (2015). Retrieved November 11, 2015, from http:// saiindia.gov.in/english/home/Our_Products/audit_report/Government_Wise/ union_audit/recent_reports/union_compliance/2000/Defence/2000_book3/chapter1.htm

Indian Army. (2008). Retrieved November 11, 2015, from http://www.indianetzone.com/57/indian_army.htm