Shortage of over 9,000 officers in armed forces: Govt

There is an overall shortage of 9,427 officers in the armed forces, the Lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday.

Minister of State for Defence Sripad Yesso Naik said this in a written reply to a question on the total strength of the Navy, Army and the Air Force at present and details on the shortage of manpower in each force.

He also shared detail figures on the strength of officers in the three armed forces (excluding Army Medical Corps, Army Dental Corps and Military Nursing Service).

The total authorised strength of Army officers as on January 1 this year is 50,312 and the 'held strength' is 42,913, thus a shortage of 7,399, according to data shared by the minister.

The total authorised strength of Navy officers as on June 1 this year is 11,557 and the 'held strength' is 10,012, thus a shortage of 1,545.

The total authorised strength of IAF officers as on June 1 this year is 12,625 and the 'held strength' is 12,142, thus a shortage of 483, according to data.

In response to another question on the total number of regiments existing in the Army along with the headquarters and their foundation days, Naik said, "Information cannot be divulged in the interest of national security."