The Bharatiya Army has established two armoured vehicle maintenance and repair facilities in Eastern Ladakh, setting a world record for the highest tank repair stations. These facilities, situated near the China border in Nyoma and the DBO Sector, operate at altitudes exceeding 14,500 feet, making them the highest such installations globally along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh.
Amidst the ongoing standoff between Bharat and China since April-May 2020, the Bharatiya Army has deployed over 500 tanks and infantry combat vehicles in Eastern Ladakh.
These include indigenous vehicles like Quick Reaction Fighting Vehicles alongside tanks like T-90 and T-72, and BMP combat vehicles. The deployment was a response to Chinese aggression in the region.
Army officials highlighted the logistical challenges of maintaining armoured vehicles in such extreme altitudes, where retrieval for maintenance is particularly difficult. To address this, the Medium Maintenance (Reset) Facilities were established in Nyoma and near KM-148 on the DS-DBO Road in the DBO sector, the primary areas of tank and infantry combat vehicle operations in the region.
During a recent visit to the Medium Maintenance (Reset) Facility for Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs), Army Chief General Manoj Pande witnessed the unique maintenance setup.
The facilities aim to enhance serviceability and mission reliability of the combat fleet, ensuring operational readiness even in harsh terrains and extreme weather conditions where temperatures can plummet to minus 40 degrees Celsius.
The infrastructure development is part of the Bharatiya Army’s broader efforts to strengthen its presence and capabilities in high-altitude regions. By staging forward specialist technical support infrastructure for AFVs, the Army aims to elevate operational efficiency and battle readiness, crucial factors in the ongoing standoff with China.
The standoff in Eastern Ladakh has persisted for over four years, with both Bharat and China deploying approximately 50,000 troops each in the region. Responding to Chinese attempts to unilaterally change the status quo along the LAC, the Bharatiya Army swiftly mobilized heavy armoured elements from desert and plains regions, airlifting them via C-17 transport aircraft to counter the adversary.
The establishment of the world’s highest tank repair facilities underscores Bharat’s commitment to bolstering its defensive capabilities in the face of regional challenges. These facilities not only signify a technical achievement but also demonstrate the Bharatiya Army’s resolve to maintain readiness and vigilance along the border with China.
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