| 1812 Rocket Regiment (SMERCH) | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1965 – present |
| Country |  India |
| Allegiance | India |
| Branch |  Indian Army |
| Type | .svg){kind=small} Artillery |
| Size | Regiment |
| Motto(s) | SARVATRA, IZZAT-O-IQBAL “Everywhere With Honour and Glory”. “Nulli Secundus” |
| Colors | "Red & Navy Blue" |
| Equipment | <!-- Commanders --> |
| Decorations | Vir Chakra 1 <ref name="ML Sharma at gallantryawards.gov.in">"ML Sharma VrC at gallantryawards.gov.in". Archived from the original on 2019-07-18. Retrieved 2020-09-09.</ref> |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | General Sundararajan Padmanabhan <!-- Insignia --> |
1812 Rocket Regiment is an artillery regiment which is part of the Regiment of Artillery of the Indian Army.
Formation
1812 Rocket Regiment (SMERCH) was raised on 15 March 1965 as 181 Light Battery at Khoja Toll, Ranchi Cantt under the stewardship of Major P Banerji.<ref name="1812 Rocket Regiment (SMERCH)-Indian Army Postal Cover">"1812 Rocket Regiment (SMERCH)-Indian Army Postal Cover". Retrieved 2020-09-09.</ref>
History
181 Light Battery was under 4 Mountain Artillery Brigade of the 4 Mountain Division during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 in the Jhenaidah–Kushtia sector.<ref>"Anjan Mukherjee in Evolution of Indian Artillery and its Impact on India's Comprehensive Military Power, chapter3, page 116" (PDF). Retrieved 2020-09-09.</ref> It was equipped with 120 mm Tampella mortars.<ref>"1971 Official History" (PDF). Retrieved 2021-11-26.</ref>
In April 1972, 181 Light Battery was bifurcated into 1812 (1) and 1812 (2) Light Batteries. 1812(1) Light Battery earned a significant distinction when in 1975, it was commanded by Major S Padmananbhan who later went on to become the Chief of Army Staff.<ref name="1812 Rocket Regiment (SMERCH)-Indian Army Postal Cover">"1812 Rocket Regiment (SMERCH)-Indian Army Postal Cover". Retrieved 2020-09-09.</ref>
In 2009, the regiment took a pivotal step in its evolution when it was given the honour of converting to a Rocket Regiment equipped with the Russian-built BM-30 Smerch at Nasirabad, Ajmer. The regiment had the privilege to participate in the Republic Day parade, in New Delhi, on January 26, 2016.<ref name="Hindustan Times Article">"Hindustan Times Article – Republic Day 2016". Retrieved 2020-09-09.</ref>