The LAC runs through eastern Ladakh for 832 km and is dotted with open valleys. The Indian Army had to induct a significant number of T-72 and T-90 tanks in operational areas, gaining tactical surprise over the adversary, forcing it on the back foot.These areas are dotted with multiple open high-altitude valleys. The temperature there can plummet to minus 40 degrees Celsius, with gusts of high wind impacting the performance of men and such machines.This gets aggravated by the rarefied air (with low oxygen level), affecting the performance of tanks. “When the temperature dips at night, we have to start the engine 2-3 times so that it can remain functional,” says Kumar.With the Chinese People’s Liberation Army troops moving in large numbers, the Indian Air Force had to swing into action, pressing its strategic airlift transport fleet.Over 68,000 troops were moved within a limited period to forward locations, and 90 tanks, 330 Infantry Combat Vehicles, the Russian BMPs, and several artillery guns were airlifted—a total load exceeding 9,000 tonnes.Work on the indigenous Indian light tank ‘Zorawar’ designed to operate from the high altitude area is going apace. It will be highly transportable for rapid deployment to meet any operational situation.Earlier this month, it successfully conducted the preliminary automotive trials.Tactical edge: Bhishma deployed at over 13K ftIndia’s front-ranking Bhishma T-90 tank is equipped with ‘hunter killer’ capabilities — combat power, reconnaissance capability, and survivability. It is effective in any weather condition and day & night. Deploying T-90s at Nyoma at a height of about 13,700 ft is a tough task.Nyoma is around 30 km inside the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The LAC runs through eastern Ladakh for 832 km and is dotted with open valleys. The deployment of T-90s was meant to gain tactical surprise over the adversary, forcing it on the back foot.
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