The “First In Battle” Air Defence Brigade

By M S Nazki

Love and uniform are two different things! Today we decided to intermix love, tradition, culture and modern day warfare!

-The Vadodara Military Station, surrounded by the bustling culture of Gujarat yet rooted in strict discipline, was where Captain Sameer met Riya. He was an Artillery officer stationed at EME and she was a young professor at Maharaja Sayajirao University.

-Their story didn’t start with a bang, but with a quiet exchange of books at a local café near the station. Sameer loved her passion for literature, and she was drawn to his unwavering dedication to duty.

-Their courtship consisted of long, leisurely walks along the Vishwamitri River and quiet evenings at the Officer’s Mess, where the distant sound of training exercises was always a reminder of his world.

-The true test of their love came during a tense, unscheduled deployment of his unit. Sameer was moved out suddenly, leaving no time for goodbyes. For weeks, the only connection they had were faint, irregular phone calls and handwritten letters, which Riya kept locked in a small box, waiting for the day he would return to the familiar, lush green surroundings of the Vadodara station.

-When he finally returned, he was leaner and tougher. They met at the station, the same place he had left. In that quiet embrace, away from the turmoil of the border, they knew their love had been forged just as strongly as the discipline of the station itself.

-Later, the couple decided to get married, building their home in Vadodara, blending his Army life with her civilian world, a true testament of love from the heart of Gujarat’s military town…………..!

-About Lt General Sandeep Jain

-I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion. — Alexander the Great!

-Lt Gen Sandeep Jain, AVSM, SM, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, #SouthernCommand, visited Vadodara Military Station and reviewed the operational preparedness of the ‘First In Battle’ Air Defence Brigade.

-The Army Commander was briefed on the Formation’s state-of-the-art systems and accelerated Tech Absorption initiatives aimed at dominating the emerging aerial battle space. He commended the formation for sustaining a high state of Mission Readiness through the effective absorption of New Technology Equipment in operational environments, reflecting unwavering professionalism and combat excellence.

-The Army Commander lauded all ranks for their steadfast dedication and high morale, and exhorted them to stay ahead of the evolving challenges of Multi-Domain Operations by harnessing emerging technologies, refining Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTP) and sustaining a decisive operational edge across the full spectrum of future conflict.

-Lieutenant General Sandeep Jain, AVSM, SM is a serving general officer of the Indian Army. He currently serves as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Command. He was previously serving as Chief of Staff of the Southern Command. Prior to that he was the Commandant, Indian Military Academy.

• He earlier served as General Officer Commanding XVI Corps. He is also the Colonel of the Regiment of the Mahar Regiment since 1 August 2024.

-He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. He is also an alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and the National Defence College, Kenya.

-Military Career

-The general officer was commissioned into the 13th Battalion of the Mahar Regiment on 11 June 1988 from the Indian Military Academy.

• In a career spanning over three decades, he has undertaken numerous command and staff appointments.

-He was a Sector Commander at United Nations Mission in Sudan, an Infantry Brigade in Strike Corps and was General Officer Commanding of a Counter Insurgency Force in Jammu & Kashmir.

-He has also served with the Military Operations Directorate, Military Secretary’s Branch and as a Military observer in Ethiopia.

-After being promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General, he assumed the appointment of Director General (Capability Development) at the Army Headquarters, New Delhi.

-On 24 December 2022, he took over as the General Officer Commanding XVI Corps.

• A year later on 1 February 2024, he took over as the Commandant of the Indian Military Academy. He subsequently assumed the appointment of Chief of Staff, Southern Command in June 2025.

-On 1 April 2026, Lieutenant General Sandeep Jain took over as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command succeeding Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth upon his elevation as the Vice Chief of Army Staff.

-About Vadodara Military Station:

-Vadodara Military Station is a key Indian Army installation in Gujarat, focusing on operational readiness, training, and technological advancement. It hosts the prestigious EME School (Electronics and Mechanical Engineering), training technicians in armament, optronics, and vehicle technology, alongside housing combat elements like the ‘First In Battle’ Air Defence Brigade.

-Key aspects of the military presence in Vadodara include:

-EME School: A premier institution for training Indian Army personnel in high-tech equipment maintenance and combat support.

-Operational Role: The station acts as a hub for the Southern Command, focusing on high-tech combat readiness, tech absorption, and defending against air threats.

-Regional Significance: Part of the Western Frontier defence infrastructure, complementing IAF bases in Gujarat.

-Historical Legacy: The area has a long military history, with the cantonment originating from British-era forces, later integrating Baroda State Forces into the Indian Army.

-Air Support: Located near the Vadodara Air Force Station, which is gaining significance with the new Tata-Airbus C295 manufacturing plant, bolstering tactical airlift capabilities.

-The station houses troops, provides accommodation, and hosts the 10th Battalion (Baroda) of the Mechanized Infantry, carrying forward the legacy of the former Baroda State Royal Army.

-The EME School in Vadodara is the premier training institution for the Indian Army’s Electronics and Mechanical Engineering Corps, specializing in high-tech maintenance and repair of combat equipment. Key specialties include Armament Technology, Optronics and Instrumentation, Vehicle Technology, and specialized training for armored systems like tanks (T-72/T-90) and infantry combat vehicles.

-Key Training Specialties at EME School, Vadodara:

-Armament Technology: Training in the repair and maintenance of weapons systems, including small arms, heavy weapons, and modern artillery.

-Vehicle Technology: Specialized training for combat vehicles, recovery vehicles (WZT-3), tanks (Arjun, T-72, T-90), and Infantry Combat Vehicles (BMP-2).

-Optronics & Instrumentation Technology: Training on advanced electronic targeting, laser-based equipment, and navigation systems.

Combat Technical Support: Preparing technicians to perform on-field repairs of machinery, electronics, and weapon systems under operational conditions.

-The institution functions under the Army Training Command and focuses on maintaining both modern and legacy weapons platforms.

-Military Station Vadodara, and the surrounding Gujarat region, has a proud history of nurturing and hosting brave individuals who have served the nation with distinction. While often recognized as a peace station, Vadodara has produced notable officers and hosted critical military operations.

Here are stories of valor associated with military personnel from Vadodara:

-Colonel Sofia Qureshi’s Leadership: Hailing from Vadodara, Colonel Sofia Qureshi made national headlines for her exceptional leadership, notably becoming the first woman officer to lead an Indian Army contingent at a multinational military exercise, “Exercise Force 18”.

-Her career is marked by participation in UN Peacekeeping Operations in Congo, showcasing her commitment to international peace and security, along with her background in the Corps of Signals.

-29th Air Defence Regiment (SAMBA) at Vadodara: Stationed at Makarpura Road, Vadodara, this regiment has a history of demonstrating military strength to the public, particularly during “Parakram Parv” celebrations marking the success of surgical strikes. The regiment plays a crucial role in defending against aerial threats.

-Military Presence and Readiness: Vadodara also acts as a hub for logistical and training activities for the Indian Army and Air Force. The region maintains a high state of operational readiness to meet national security objectives.

-Gallantry in Other Sectors: Many bravehearts from the Vadodara and Gujarat region are part of larger, celebrated stories of valor, such as the 1971 war battles or the Kargil war, which are often commemorated by the local military installations.

-These stories highlight the courage and dedication of soldiers who, regardless of their stationing, contribute to the nation’s defense………!

-About Baroda State Army:

-The Baroda State Forces (or Baroda State Army) was a modern, well-organized military of the Gaekwad dynasty, established largely in its modern form by Maharaja Khanderao Gaekwad (1856–1870). It was one of the strongest princely state militaries, comprising regular cavalry, infantry, and artillery alongside irregular feudal forces. The army saw action in World War I supporting British imperial forces and was formally merged into the Indian armed forces after 1947.

-Key Details of Baroda State Forces:

-Command Structure: The army was, at times, led by a Senapati (Commander-in-Chief), such as Senapati Himmat Bahadur Anand Rao Kashi Rao Gaekwar.

-Organization: It was structured around six major, strategically located barracks, each overseeing smaller units.

-Composition:

-Regular Army: Consisted of approximately 516 cavalry, 3,078 infantry, and 44 guns with 166 artillerymen.

-Irregular Army: Included roughly 5,073 cavalry from feudal Jagir Kots and over 1,500 Nagas, Minas, and other special bodies.

-Capabilities & History:

-Renowned for being highly modern for a princely state.

-Supported the British war effort during World War I.

-Maharaja Sayajirao Gaikwad III famously stood up to British attempts to manage or control his state forces.

-Merger: Following India’s independence in 1947, the army was merged into the Bombay State army and later the Indian Army.

-The “First In Battle” Air Defence Brigade

-The “First In Battle” Air Defence Brigade is an Indian Army formation, raised on February 1, 1996, at Vadodara Military Station, specializing in defending airspaces against aircraft, drones, and missiles. As part of the Corps of Army Air Defence, it protects critical assets and maintains high readiness to combat aerial threats.

-Key details:

-Role: The brigade focuses on tracking and destroying enemy aerial threats (helicopters, UAS, aircraft) using radar and specialized, highly mobile fire units.

-Command: It is linked with specialized corps within the Indian Army for combat support, protecting ground troops and vital areas.

-Operational Focus: The brigade often conducts specialized training against drones/UAVs and conducts, or is involved in, high-intensity field firing exercises to ensure readiness, sometimes associated with the Southern Command.

-Background: The Corps of Army Air Defence emerged as an autonomous corps on January 10, following the split from the artillery branch to focus specifically on air defense.

-Note: There are various air defence brigades associated with different army corps, but the “First In Battle” Brigade specifically refers to the Vadodara-raised formation.

-The supreme quality for leadership is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible!

-To end this one here is an anecdote: In 1808, to curb maritime piracy along the Kathiawad coast, the Baroda State Navy—a part of the formidable Baroda State Royal Army—was commissioned to protect trade, utilizing ships like the Anne Maria. This force, along with British troops under Col. Walker, forced maritime chiefs to sign bonds, securing the coastline and solidifying Gaekwad authority in the region.

-Key Aspects of the Baroda State Forces:

-Structure: Organized by Maharaja Khanderao Gaekwad (1856–1870), the army was a modern, capable force in 19th-century India.

-Maritime Action: The state maintained its own small navy, featuring ships like Anandprasad and Anne Maria, primarily to patrol against piracy.

-Force Modernization: The forces were strategically structured into six major barracks across the state to maintain security.

-Conflict and Control: The forces were actively used to enforce maritime treaties and manage inland territory, often confronting local groups like the Kolis who were disarmed in 1858………………….!