Introduction
Amidst the persistent tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh, the Indian Army has undertaken an unprecedented strategic deployment of over 500 tanks and infantry combat vehicles in the region. This bold move is complemented by the establishment of two groundbreaking tank repair facilities, situated near the China border at altitudes exceeding 14,500 feet, making them the world's highest such facilities. This initiative underscores India's unwavering commitment to maintaining operational readiness and a robust defensive posture in one of the most challenging terrains along the contested border.
The tanks and infantry combat vehicles have been deployed in Ladakh.
The Standoff and Rapid Mobilization
For the past four years, India and China have remained locked in a tense standoff in the eastern Ladakh region, with approximately 50,000 troops deployed by each side near the borders. The standoff escalated when China made a unilateral move, deploying a significant number of infantry, combat vehicles, and tanks to alter the status quo along the LAC. In response to this aggressive maneuver, the Indian Army swiftly mobilized heavy armored units, transporting them from the deserts and plains to the region via C-17 transport aircraft. This rapid deployment of heavy armoured elements demonstrated India's commitment to effectively countering any adversarial actions along the borders.
Deployment and Strategic Significance
A large number of tanks, including the formidable T-90 and T-72, along with the BMP combat vehicles and Indian-made armoured vehicles like the Quick Reaction Fighting Vehicles, have been deployed in Eastern Ladakh since the standoff began in April-May 2020. These tanks and infantry combat vehicles have been strategically positioned in the high-altitude areas, where even maintenance and repair operations pose significant challenges.
Army tank deployed in Ladakh. (File photo: ANI)
To address this logistical hurdle, the Indian Army has established two state-of-the-art Medium Maintenance (Reset) Facilities at Nyoma and near KM-148 on the DS-DBO Road in the DBO(Daulat Beg Oldie) sector. These facilities are designed to enhance the serviceability and mission reliability of tanks and infantry combat vehicles, ensuring operational readiness even in the rugged terrain and harsh weather conditions, where temperatures can plummet to minus 40 degrees Celsius.
Infrastructure Development and Operational Efficiency
In a significant development, the Indian Army has undertaken extensive infrastructure development to accommodate its diverse fleet of tanks, including the T-90 and T-72, as well as the BMPs and K-9 Vajra self-propelled howitzers, in high-altitude regions characterized by extreme winter temperatures. Recently, Army Chief General Manoj Pande paid a visit to the Medium Maintenance (Reset) Facility for Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs), where he witnessed firsthand the innovative maintenance solutions being implemented.
The strategic deployment of specialist technical support infrastructure for AFVs represents a significant advancement in maintaining higher standards of operational efficiency and battle readiness. These new facilities are designed to enhance the serviceability and mission reliability of tanks and infantry combat vehicles, ensuring operational readiness even in rugged terrain and harsh weather conditions.
Strategically Important Areas
Several strategically important areas along the LAC have witnessed the deployment of heavy armored units. The Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) region, situated south of the Karakoram Pass, with Siachen to its west and China's occupied Aksai Chin to its east, has seen the deployment of T-90s, T-72s, and BMP II Armoured Vehicles. The Depsang Plains, a vast flatland at an altitude of approximately 16,000 feet, has also witnessed the deployment of these armored units.
The Darbuk-Shyok Daulat Beg Oldie (DS-DBO) road, running parallel to the LAC, was a contentious point during the 2020 standoff. The Colonel Chewang Renchen Setu on the DBO road, the highest altitude all-weather permanent bridge, is just 45 km from the LAC and supports tank movement. The army's mechanized units have established a robust repair and maintenance infrastructure for tanks in the Ladakh sector, with facilities near the LAC ensuring rapid deployment in case of conflict.
Demchok, the easternmost region in Ladakh, remains a contentious area, with videos emerging in 2020 showing the deployment of the army's T-72, T-90, and BMP II armored vehicles in the region.
Future Plans and Upgrades
India also plans to upgrade the Nyoma airfield in eastern Ladakh, located just 50 km from the LAC, to accommodate fighter jets. Nyoma is also home to the second tank repair facility, strategically placed near important airfields for quick transportation, repair, and redeployment of armored units.
The Importance of Tanks
Lt General Amit Sharma (Retired), former chief of India's nuclear command, emphasizes the critical role of tanks, stating, "Tank is the only piece of equipment that will enable the infantry to move and capture the objective. Tanks provide staying part to the enemy to defend it." This underscores the significance of the Indian Army's strategic deployment of heavy armored units and the establishment of dedicated repair facilities in the region.
Conclusion
The Indian Army's unprecedented deployment of over 500 tanks and infantry combat vehicles in Eastern Ladakh, coupled with the establishment of the world's highest tank repair facilities, represents a decisive step in bolstering India's defensive capabilities along the contested LAC. This strategic move not only demonstrates India's commitment to maintaining a robust military presence in the region but also ensures operational readiness and swift response capabilities in the face of potential escalations. As tensions along the border persist, these initiatives reinforce India's unwavering resolve to safeguard its territorial integrity and national security interests in the strategically vital region of Eastern Ladakh.
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