The Indian Army is beefing up its firepower at Tawang with air transportable artillery guns, new assault rifles, helicopter-borne troops to launch offensive operations, and enhanced anti-drone systems, strengthening its stance along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Tawang is now India’s most heavily defended area where the Chinese Army (during the 1962 war) marched in from across Bum La, outnumbering a stretched border deployment and swiftly gaining territory. On October 20, 1962, the first assault took place here after a massive Chinese buildup across the border.
Defences in this sector have since been gradually beefed up, with the Sumdorong Chu faceoff in 1987 being the flashpoint that led to a strong Indian deployment that included taking dominating positions on heights and a layered defensive deployment of infantry troops.
M 777 Ultra-Light Howitzers are among the equipment being air-transported to Tawang and officers have described it as a significant capability enhancement. These guns have been able to achieve precise firing capabilities to a range of almost 40 Km. “These guns have enhanced our firepower capabilities. They can be transported by Chinook to difficult-to-reach valleys as well,” said Brigadier Sanjeev Kumar, who is commanding a forward located artillery brigade.
