In a move that can only be called asinine, Delhi has embarked on a $13 billion Dollar monomaniacal scheme to induct and deploy 100,000 new soldiers into the Indain Army. Delhi claims that it is faced with growing Chinese military presence along the border so it has to induct thousands of soldiers in its army. What is seminal that Bharat is also mentioning other complex security challenges in the region. This other is very strange and needs some analysis.
The Indian Ministry of Defense (MoD) is going to spend $13 billion in the so called military modernization plan that involves raising four new divisions along the India-China border. Though Bharati press reports dont mention it, but the fact remains that the deployment in Kashmir, even if is against China will affect Pakistan. In a time when all three major powers, India, China and Pakistan are nuclear, this doesnt make any senseunless Bharat is planning a war. What is not too surprising is the fact that two of these new divisions would be part of a Mountain Strike Corps dedicated to offensive operations. The military modernization program also includes raising two independent brigades, one in Ladakh and the other in Uttarakhand.
At first sight the military modernization program looks lethal and threatening. But when one looks at the landscape, one finds out that Bharat will need ten times that amount, even to build a basic infrastructure along the Chinese border. China already has a massive road and rail network along the Manmohan Line.
Surya Ganghadaran recently wrote an article in IBMlive in which he says the following. I was forcefully reminded as never before that our griping about Delhis crumbling roads is unfair when compared to Ladakh which has none at all. On some stretches theres a thin layer of black asphalt but usually its a mix of dirt trails and mule tracks with a column of stones on either side to indicate your on the right track. The only advantage here is that since Ladakh is an extension of the Tibetan plateau, the landscape is generally flat and the frequent movement of military vehicles has in many places helped to compact and harden the dirt. So movement gets a little easier, but only a little.
In other wordsthe modernization program will fall shortLadakh the most vulnerable part of the Bharati border, which now has a Muslim majority population has no roads.
From a military point of view, the Chinese infrastructure of airfields, roads and rail-network threatens India. Our pace is not quick enough. New-Delhi-based Observer Research Foundation, Dr K Yhome.
Most militaries of the world are going through modernization programsbut their programs include computers, increased efficiency optimization and improved supply chain. The Bharati program is adding thousands of soldiers for offensive purposes. It would also be the largest increase in deployment along the China border seen since the immediate aftermath of the 1962 war.
China already six airbases on its side in areas of western Tibet and Xinjiang province adjoining LadakhKashgar, Korla, Yarkand, Hotan, Cherchen (Qiemo) and Gardzong, have operational airfields. From the Bharati perspective. Ajay Banerjee writing for the Tribune India says The Indian security establishment has irrefutable visual inputs on Chinese airfields. Beijing now has the capability to launch fighter aircrafts carrying deadly strike weapons or transport planes carrying tonnes of equipment or hundreds of troops to land then close to Indian forward defence lines along the LAC. These fully-functional airfields virtually form a ring around Ladakh
Large planes like the IL76 transporter operate from there. Last winter, the Chinese conducted a major military exercise and even operated their own version of the Sukhoi-30 fighter from at least three of these bases.
In India, only Leh and Thoise allow operations of all types of small and large planes. The Kargil airstrip is just 6,000-feet long and allows only smaller planes like AN32 or the C-130-Js to land. It will be expanded by the year 2016.
Nyoma in southeastern Ladakh is a mud-paved advanced landing ground (ALG). This sits at a junction from where three pressure points along the LAC-Demchok, Chushul and Chumar sector-are close by. Indian strategic planners have ruled out having a full operational usage of the ALGs at Fukche and Chushul as they are deemed too close to China.
In China, the accommodation coming up is all in concrete. China terms the structures as the nomad-huts. The Indian Army suspects these are of dual use and can be converted into supply depots or even bunkers. The Chinese watch towers at Domshele and Demchok are three-storey high and are visibly well protected and insulated. The Indian side has basic amenities but those are way behind China.
Ladakh will require tanks to prevent a walkover by the Chinese army. Bharat has no capacity to bring in tanks. As Ganghadaran reminds us
The flat nature of the terrain makes Ladakh ideal tankable country. Dont forget AMX light tanks were airlifted into Ladakh during 1962 and while the Indian Army brass will not comment on whether tanks are deployed here or will be deployed, BMP infantry combat vehicles are
.Acres and acres of desert have been fenced in to build military stations, upgrade logistic hubs (as in Chushul) and airfields (like Nyoma). One could argue that this should have come at least a decade earlier, but better late than never.
Under the proposal, the army will induct 90,000 more soldiers over the next five years during the 12th five-year plan period from 2012 to 2017-all of them for deployment along the China border. In the previous 11th Plan, the armys strength was augmented by 36,000 for two new divisions. it si claimed that the proposed modernization plan includes a comprehensive overhaul and upgrade of the Indian armys fire-power, logistical capabilities and other aspects of the China border deployment.
The Bharati army would try to double the number of ultra-light Howitzers for mountains. It would also add to its helicopter capabilities, sources said.
According to press reports, the proposal was focused on the Sino-Indian border. Bharat is also expanding its presence in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. At present, the army has just a brigade of soldiers in the Andaman islands. This small presence is expected to be stepped up to the strength of a division. Bharat is also planning to increase air force and naval capabilities in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
It is obvious that Bharat wants to put pressure on the Malacca straights and try to cut of Chinese supplies to the South China Sea. It is also obvious that China will retaliateand firm up its plans to build up Humbolta, Gwader and other ports to solidify its encirclement of Bharat.
This upgrade would also include the cost of implementing new concepts of military transformationthe so called Cold Start and the Pivot and Strike capabilities, which are now being tested. Bhrat has learned from it slow pace of deployment on the Pakistani border and this includes
the capability to operate in smaller units and providing logistics in an integrated manner. Lt Gen Shri Krishna Singh, the Indian Armys second senior-most officer, on Tuesday took over as the new vice chief, heralding a generational change in the top brass. He was the commander of an infantry division on the Line of Control with Pakistan and of a Corps in a high altitude area of Jammu and Kashmir. With the new generation of Bharati soldiers taking controlsome of these new guys have never seen a war. For them it will be a different army.
Imran Khans words are vibrant reminders to the rulers in Delhi.
I want to tell Hindustan that the 700,000 troops you have kept among the Kashmiris no Army has been able to solve any countrys problems at any time, he said to cheers from his supporters.
Did the Americans succeed in Afghanistan? Is the Indian Army more powerful than the US Army? When the Americans couldnt succeed, how can you succeed with 700,000 troops that are involved in excesses? he alleged.
Japan and India are set to boost military and economic ties. Bharat is also creating new structures with the US. All this will create more problems for Bharat in the immediate neighborhood.
