<P> The Army of India, as the Indian army was called under British rule before 1947, played a crucial role in checking the advance of Imperial Japan into South Asia during World War II . It also played a leading role in the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971 . Today, the Indian Army is the world's third largest army after United States Army and Chinese People's Liberation Army . </P> <P> The Indian Air Force is the fourth largest air force in the world . India recently inducted its second indigenously manufactured combat aircraft . India is also developing the fifth generation stealth aircraft . </P> <P> The Indian Navy is the world's fifth largest navy . It is considered to have blue - water capabilities with sophisticated missile - capable warships, aircraft carrier, minesweepers, advanced submarines and the latest aircraft in its inventory, along with a significant use of state of the art technology that is indigenously manufactured . It operates two aircraft carriers and also plans to induct the INS Vikrant by 2018 followed by a larger INS Vishal . </P> <P> India started the IGMDP to be a self - reliant nation in missile development . The IGMDP program includes five missiles like the Prithvi and Agni of ballistic missiles, surface to air missiles Trishul and Akash and also the anti tank Nag missile . Prithvi and Agni missiles are inducted into the armed forces and form the basis of Indian nuclear second strike capability . Trishul missile is declared a technology demonstrator . The Akash (Sky) is in service with the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force . While Nag and Helina missiles are undergoing user trials . Recently, a new weapons system, the beyond visual range air - to - air Astra missile was added to the project . Also India has fielded many modern missiles like the anti ballistic missiles like the AAD and PAD along with submarine launched ballistic missiles for its Arihant class of nuclear ballistic submarines . The expertise in developing these missiles has helped Indian scientists to contribute to joint weapon development programs like the Brahmos and Barak - II . India is also developing long range cruise missiles similar to the Tomahawk class of missiles called Nirbhay . There are reports of India developing an intercontinental ballistic missile beyond the range of ten thousand kilometers . India is self - reliant in missile technology . </P>

Essay on india as a fast developing country