The AAD is responsible for the protection of Indian air space from enemy aircraft and missiles, especially below 5,000 feet.

The trained troops formed part of the anti-aircraft batteries of the Hong Kong and Singapore Royal Artillery (HKSRA) to counter the Japanese air threat in South-East Asia.

Besides the four brigades that were exclusively undertaking air defence tasks, one independent High Altitude Airship battery and two independent Low batteries were also in existence, with two training centres established to train the personnel in anti-aircraft warfare.

However, after actively taking part in the second world war on behalf of the British Empire, many of these were disbanded.

After a series of reviews, modifications and improvements, finally the crest designed by Vijay Singh was adopted.

It portrays a missile in silver tint, with radar antennae in gold colour fixed on the either side.

[3][7][17] The sentence "आकाशे शत्रुन् जहि" (Akashe Shatrun Jahi) of Devanagari script, which means "Kill the Enemy in the Sky" was adopted as the regimental motto in 1996.

The position was first created when the Corps of Army Air Defence was bifurcated from the Regiment of Artillery on 10 January 1994.