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Army to raise two ‘offensive’ mountain divisions

Sandeep Dikshit

They will be in place in 3 years

NEW DELHI: The Army will raise two “offensive” mountain divisions in three years, according to sources in the Army. They will be equipped with air portable guns and an integral air component to quickly transport troops into battle positions.

In simple terms, each division, with about 10,000 to 13,000 troops, will take the battle into the enemy camp in the Himalayas. A substantial part of the country’s border with Pakistan and China is mountainous. The entire mountainous stretch is unresolved and is known by various acronyms such as the Line of Control (Pakistan), the Actual Ground Position Line (Siachen\Pakistan) and the Line of Actual Control (China).

The Army already has 10 mountain divisions and a complete infantry division for undertaking operations in high altitudes. India is negotiating with the U.S. for importing six large troop transport carriers and planning to manufacture over 300 medium lift transport helicopters. It has also called tenders for light artillery guns that can be air dropped.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has been asked to manufacture 67 helicopter gunships. The other option is to import additional helicopters. Sensing the opportunity, world’s helicopter majors are lining up to offer their wares. The Army is also mulling a proposal to better equip its soldiers for fighting in the heights.

CCS approval

The Cabinet Committee on Security had cleared the Army’s proposal a couple of months ago.

The sources said the outlines of the two divisions should be in place in another two years. They would include the headquarters and other elements. It would take another year to make the divisions fully functional.

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