In the forward areas of the Ladakh sector along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, an Indian Army regiment has been deployed to function with a K9-Vajra self-propelled howitzer. Around 50 km can be covered by the self-propelled guns.

Three guns arrived in Leh yesterday and are being transported to a high- altitude base to be tested if they can be used in high altitude areas against the enemy, top government sources told the reports on Thursday.

"These guns can also work in high-altitude areas; field trials were extremely successful. We have now added an entire regiment, this will be really helpful," Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane was quoted as saying by news agency on the performance of K-9 VAJRA self-propelled artillery.

In May last year, China and India staged a violent clash around the Pangong Lake area, resulting in a standoff along the border. Both sides gradually increased their deployment of troops and heavy weapons by rushing in tens of thousands of them.

"Chinese have deployed in considerable numbers all across Eastern Ladakh and Northern front right up to our Eastern command. Definitely, there has been an increase in their deployment in the forward areas which remains a matter of concern for us," said the Army chief.

According to India's Army chief, counter deployments have been undertaken to counter any threat.

"We're regularly monitoring all their movements. Based on inputs we get; we're also carrying out matching developments both in infrastructure as well in terms of troops that are needed to counter any threat. At the moment, we're quite well poised to meet any eventuality," he added.

Earlier this week, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said China continues to deploy a large number of troops and armaments along its border areas. The K-9 Vajra is an indigenous version of the basic K9 Thunder from South Korea. The components are made by Mumbai-based Larsen & Toubro and a South Korean manufacturer.

There is a border dispute between India and China along the 3,488-kilometer-long Land and Sea Corridor. India contests the claim to Arunachal Pradesh, which China claims to be a part of southern Tibet.

The army is adding new equipment to its arsenal with the introduction of the K9 Vajras, Dhanush, and M777 ultra-light howitzers. It is expected that the DRDO's Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) system will be inducted in large numbers shortly afterward.

Image Source: Economic times