After deploying more than 30,000 additional troops on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh, the Indian defence forces have operationalised an array of missile systems, including the Brahmos, Nirbhay and Akash, to ward off any threat from belligerent China.
With no letup in tension on the LAC in Eastern Ladakh since the stand-offs began in early May, the security establishment is not taking any chances. Ready for a long haul, the Government has hastened the supply of prefabricated tents and other related equipment to enable the troops to withstand temperatures of minus 20 degrees Centigrade. On the other hand, missiles, tanks and frontline fighter jets are also on full alert all along the 4,000 km LAC stretching from Ladakh in the west to Arunachal Pradesh in the east.
The missiles were deployed recently to nullify any advantage China may have by bringing forward its missile in the Tibet region and Xinjiang. The indigenously-designed and manufactured Brahmos supersonic cruise missile has a range of more than 400 km. It can take out any targets, including tanks and missiles, from far away.
Similarly, the indigenously-designed and manufactured Akash surface to air missile has a range of 80 km and can neutralise any threat from air.
This system has also got additional muscle with the induction of the 800-km range Nirbhay cruise missiles.
Sources said the Indian missile systems have been deployed at most of the sensitive sites all along the LAC to provide a shield to the troops on ground and the aircraft. In fact, some batteries of the Brahmos were activated in the eastern LAC sector two years back.
Over the past few months since the situation worsened at the LAC, the IAF has stationed most of its frontline fighter jets, including the SU-30s, Mirage, Mig-29 and Jaguars, in the forward bases close to the LAC. Moreover, the newly-inducted five Rafale jets are also undertaking regular sorties in the Ladakh region.
All these defensive measures to ward off any challenge from China come in the backdrop of multiple talks at the diplomatic and military-level between the two sides failing to make any headway.
Though reiterating that dialogue is the only way out to defuse tension at the LAC, sources, however, cautioned that the Indian forces cannot afford to let their guard down. They also said the Indian troops are ready to brave out the harsh winters at heights of more than 15,000 feet in Ladakh with vast improvement in logistical chain. They assured that there was more than sufficient stock of essentials to face the winter months.
Besides these measures, the Army has also deployed its frontline T-72 and T-90 tanks in most of the sensitive eastern Ladakh region including the Depsang valley to counter the Chinese armour build up.
The two sides are likely to hold next round of diplomatic level talks later this week followed with another round of the Corps Commander level parleys at the LAC, they said.
