Threat perception, China-Pakistan nexus necessitates substantial enhancement of border infrastructure, Army tells Par panel

In the backdrop of heavy military build-up continuing along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) vis-à-vis China, and its collusion with Pakistan, the Army has told a key Parliamentary panel that it is necessary to enhance and improve border infrastructure.

India and China engaged in a prolonged eyeball-to-eye-ball stand-off, including violent clashes, along the LAC since the spring of 2020, resulting in heavy troop mobilisation on either side. While disengagement was undertaken at most of the friction points recently, there has been no de-escalation or de-induction. The Line of Control with Pakistan also remains sensitive because of infiltration of terrorists into Jammu and Kashmir and instances of cross-border firing.

“The threat due to these developments and the Sino-Pakistan nexus necessitates substantial enhancement and improvement of our existing infrastructure along the northern and western borders,” a representative of the Army told Parliament’s Standing Committee on Defence in a report tabled on December 17. “Along the LAC, the adversary continues to upgrade its infrastructure, technological prowess and military capabilities,” he said.

The LAC is divided into three sectors — Western, Middle and Eastern. To guard the LAC, more than 169 infantry battalions are deployed along with requisite elements of armour and fire support systems, the report states. These deployments are reviewed regularly and forces employed depending on the security threat.

“Force restructuring and optimisation is also being undertaken where necessary,” the representative said. “To be able to accomplish the assigned role, both in peace and war, the Indian Army is required to train in realistic conditions as they prevail in the actual area of operation,” he added.

It includes tactical exercises in peak summers in the Rajasthan sector to training in the Himalayan borders at super high altitudes and sub-zero temperatures. Joint training with other services forms an inherent part of the systematic training and is critical to develop synergies and jointness within the armed forces.

This week, the Army conducted Exercise Him Shakti, a high-altitude drill in Ladakh that involved employment and live firing by the artillery at altitudes of 14,500 feet. Earlier, a massive joint exercise involving all three services was conducted in the mountains of the north-east.

“To counter the rapidly changing threat from the adversary and non-state actors/organisations engaged in proxy war, legacy equipment is being replaced with state-of-the-art weapon systems and platforms incorporating niche and disruptive technologies,” the representative further stated.

According to the Army, equipment and infrastructure deployed in border areas require life-cycle sustenance to include maintenance and repair. These activities are being undertaken as far forward as possible except for major overhauls and high technology repairs requiring specialised infrastructure and facilities.

Sustenance of a large number of troops deployed along the northern borders is also a huge logistical exercise. Over 1.5 million tonnes of commodities are stocked as part of advance winter stocking. Fixed-wing aircraft transport over 53,000 metric tonnes per year and over 5,500 metric tonnes are airlifted to inaccessible areas by helicopters.