India is not in the mood of taking any chances
Even though stand-offs have ended at most of the friction points at the Line Of Actual Control (LAC) with China in Ladakh, India is not taking any chances and has increased its firepower by deploying artillery weapons including rockets and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). More than 100 K-9 Vajra howitzers will also be deployed there soon.
The artillery units of the Army have deployed K-9 Vajra Tracked Self-Propelled Howitzers, ultra-light M-777 howitzers, Pinaka rocket systems, and Dhanush gun systems, officials said here on Tuesday while outlining plans for operational readiness to meet any challenge. The Army plans to equip its artillery units along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) with a range of up to 90 km.
The Army is looking at procuring UAVs having a range of 15-20 km as well as those having capabilities to carry out surveillance at a range of up to 80 km and having an endurance of four hours. At present, almost all UAVs in the Army’s inventory are being operated by the Army Aviation units. Indian Army is set to procure a new batch of 100 more K-9 Vajras howitzers, in addition to 100 such guns ordered in 2017. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has cleared the proposal for ordering 100 more K-9 Vajras. The Request for Proposal (RFP) will be issued soon.
The K-9 Vajras were originally procured for deployment in deserts, but following the eastern Ladakh standoff, the Army deployed a significant number of the howitzers in that high-altitude region. Minor adjustments were made for the deployment of the tracked howitzers in eastern Ladakh. The Army is also procuring winterization kits so the howitzers work in sub-zero temperatures, sources said adding the Vajra guns are roaring in high-altitude areas along Northern borders.
According to officials, the Indian Army is in the process of procuring Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) and Mounted Gun Systems (MGS). Induction of more advanced Pinaka weapon systems is in the offing, adding six more regiments of the systems are being procured and their delivery would commence soon. The new Pinaka regiments will be equipped with an electronically and mechanically improved weapon system capable of firing a variety of ammunition over longer ranges.
One regiment of Pinaka has been inducted along Northern borders in high altitude areas after extensive validation, they said, adding the Defence Ministry has already approved procurement of guided extended range rockets for Pinaka. The Army is also in the process of procuring a ‘Loitering Munition System‘ thereby augmenting its surveillance, target acquisition, and precision strike capability.
On the indigenously developed ATAGS, sources said it is in the advanced stages of the trial. This gun system has many firsts to its credit — 25-liter chamber, long-range, as also rapid and sustained rates of fire. User trials on the gun systems have been satisfactorily conducted and there are a few procedural issues that are being taken care of, they added.
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Love to hear more such news to arm our military to give a strong lesson & take back entire land which China occupied i.e. settle the border dispute once for all. China to shiver in their pants next time, should they think of any adventure in Himalayas or Aksai Chin. 1962 is Nehru’s mistake. 2022 is China’s blunder !!
What for!
Koi Aaya Nahin
India operates under the clouds too.