Countering China, Indian Army agrees to procure 12 patrol boats for Ladakh's Pangong lake

NewsBharati    02-Jan-2021 11:08:59 AM
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New Delhi, Jan 2: Amid the India-China border standoff, the Indian Army has finalized the procurement of 12 high-performance patrol boats to enhance its surveillance of large water bodies, including near the Pangong Lake in eastern Ladakh where India and China are locked in a bitter border standoff since early May.
 
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The Army said it inked a contract with Goa Shipyard Ltd, a state-run public sector undertaking, for 12 fast patrol boats for surveillance and patrolling of large water bodies, including those in high altitude areas. "Delivery would commence from May 2021," the Army tweeted. According to the reports, the boats are being procured for surveillance of Pangong lake as well as other water bodies in mountainous areas.
 
In a statement, Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) said it signed a contract with the Indian Army for the supply of the 'high-performance specialized patrol crafts' on Thursday and that they will be fitted with specialized equipment to meet the requirement of the force. "These crafts will be constructed at GSL, Goa, and will be only a few crafts in the world for such specialized operations," it said in a brief statement.
 
 
The Indian Army already has 17 quick reaction team (QRT) boats patrolling the region since 2012-13. However, the Indian Army had been looking to strengthen its capabilities to match the PLA's heavier Type 928B patrol boats. According to the report, the order for 12 new boats indicates that the Indian Army is preparing for a longer deployment in the region, where both the Indian and Chinese armies are engaged in border stand off at multiple locations along the LAC since June 2020.
 
Though India is looking to have talks, China is reluctant to agree for complete disengagement at friction points. The eighth and last round of military talks had taken place on November 6 during which both sides broadly discussed disengagement of troops from specific friction points. The Pangong lake and areas around it are considered very important. India has stepped up surveillance of the lake after the standoff began in early May.
 
Besides, early 50,000 Indian Army troops are deployed in a high state of combat readiness in various mountainous locations in eastern Ladakh in sub-zero temperatures. Last week, Army Chief Gen MM Naranave visited various high-altitude forward areas in eastern Ladakh, including those around the Pangong lake, and reviewed India's overall military preparedness.
 
The face-off began on May 5 following violent clashes between the two armies in the Pangong lake area. The incident in Pangong Tso was followed by a similar incident in north Sikkim on May 9.