India - China: Enhanced Border Infrastructure, Troop Presence, OP Logistics by India
STORIES, ANALYSES, EXPERT VIEWS
Amrita Nayak Dutta (Journalist with The Indian Express; was Senior Assistant Editor at ThePrint and News Editor at CNN-News18) lists the ramp-up in LAC (Line of Actual Control) infra, troop presence, op logistics by India after the Galwan Valley clashes.
Nearly 50,000 additional troops – more than the population of Leh itself – were deployed to eastern Ladakh in the immediate aftermath of Galwan.
Troop deployment
While earlier, just one of XIV Corps’ two divisions were specifically tasked with looking at the border, Dutta writes “there are now more than two divisions of troops deployed at the LAC including a Rashtriya Rifles force that was moved from J&K. Additional reserves have been deployed in the depth areas, including elements of a Strike Corps. This was done after the Army carried out a reorientation of all its Strike Corps in 2021.”
Deployment of modern equipment
The last three years, states Dutta “have also seen the deployment of a plethora of modern equipment for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) in eastern Ladakh and deployment of additional mechanised and armoured regiments, up from 4-5 regiments to 10-12. Additional repair and recovery elements have been put in place for armoured vehicles, and cater to wear and tear.”
Military infrastructure
To facilitate quick deployment of soldiers to the LAC and their accommodation and living, Dutta writes “the last three years have been devoted to aggressive construction of military infrastructure – additional roads, tracks, bridges, permanent defences, habitat and shelters for troops in areas unoccupied earlier. This is a sea change from the past when troops were mostly responsible for patrolling and monitoring the borders."
Infrastructure development includes creation of military posts, living habitat and gun positions, apart from new roads, bridges, tracks, tunnels and helipads.
According to data accessed by The Indian Express, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) completed 19 infrastructure projects in 2021 and 26 in 2022 in Ladakh alone. It has set a target of completing 54 projects this year. These include roads and bridges among other miscellaneous projects.
Dutta notes “development and improvement of helipads and advanced landing grounds at several strategic locations of Ladakh, including those existing at Chushul and DBO, Nyoma, Hanle and Thakung, have also been carried out in the last three years.”
Communication networks right up to forward posts, logistics bases, underground shelters to meet the needs of the enhanced troop density, secure and robust supply chain, and adequate stocking facilities have been developed in recent months.
Financial outlays: To boost border infrastructure, particularly along the LAC in eastern Ladakh, an allocation of Rs 5,000 crore was made this financial year, up from Rs 3,500 crore in 2022-23.
With no immediate clarity on moves towards de-escalation of troops from either side, Defence officers say the focus will remain on construction of more military infrastructure to sustain troops in the Ladakh region. This, they underline, has significantly eased supply chains and boosted operational logistics.
