The Indian Army first used tanks at high altitude in 1947-48, when Stuart tanks were moved to Zoji La at an altitude of around 12,000 feet in Kashmir, to check Pakistani invaders who had entered the Valley in a bid to capture it

The Indian Army is looking at newer technology to enhance the operational capability of its armoured formations at high altitude, with more focus being laid on induction of lighter mechanised platforms.

“We are looking at induction of light tanks like the Zorawar and mechanised vehicles to meet our requirements in high-altitude areas,” General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command, Lt Gen Manoj Kumar Katiyar said in Chandimandir Military Station on Monday.

Speaking on the sidelines of Mech Tech, a seminar on making mechanised platforms future-ready organised by the Western Command, he said that while armoured units have been deployed in eastern Ladakh as well as North Sikkim to meet the threat perception, lighter armoured vehicles would be more effective.

The Indian Army first used tanks at high altitude in 1947-48, when Stuart tanks were moved to Zoji La at an altitude of around 12,000 feet in Kashmir, to check Pakistani invaders who had entered the Valley in a bid to capture it.

Tanks were next used in high altitude during the 1962 Sino-Indian conflict, when AMX-13 tanks were airlifted by the IAF to the Chushul sector along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in south-eastern Ladakh.

In the early 1990s, a small number of T-72 tanks and BMP infantry combat vehicles were airlifted to Ladakh and permanently deployed in that sector. Later, this increased to three regiments, forming up an armoured brigade.

During the 2020 stand-off with China along the LAC, additional armoured vehicles, including the latest T-90 were airlifted to the frontline to deal with the Chinese incursions. The Army has since restructured its deployment in Ladakh and has been maintaining enhanced force levels.

Over the years, the Army has been developing operational and logistical capability to operate armoured vehicles in snow bound areas. It has driven tanks from lower altitude to heights of over 17,000 feet, besides setting up major tank repair facilities in Ladakh. Sub-zero temperature, rugged terrain and rarefied air are among challenges associated with operating tanks in areas like Ladakh.

As a fallout of the LAC situation, a light tank, christened Zorawar, has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation specifically for employment in high altitude areas. Larsen and Toubro is the manufacturer of this tank, which weighs around 25 tonnes compared to 45 tonnes for the T-90.

The Army intends to equip seven armoured regiments with the Zorawar. Other options like the US Stryker wheeled armoured vehicle and the indigenously developed wheeled-armoured platform are also being considered, while the BMP, which was inducted in the 1980s is also becoming due for replacement.

Discussing the role of mechanised forces in contemporary warfare, Lt Gen Katiyar said that a number of questions were raised on the efficacy of mechanised forces due to initial reverses in the Russia-Ukraine War.

He said that among the lessons drawn for the war was that we have been able to see how mechanised platforms were targeted in the war and we have been able to devise counter measures to deal with emerging threats.

The army is aiming to make the mechanised forces more effective by looking at threats from various platforms like drones and other anti-tank weapon systems and come up with requisite solutions.

On the issue of the emergence of drones as a prominent element of the battlefield, the Western Army Commander said that drones are a major gamechanger in the next generation warfare as can been seen from the Russia-Ukraine war and the conflicts in the Middle East.

Terming it to be the future of warfare, he said that drones was something that we have to induct into the armed forces in huge numbers to cover the operational spectrum at all levels and the armed forces are not only looking at unmanned aerial vehicles but also unmanned ground systems and underwater systems.

A two-day seminar aimed at providing a comprehensive platform for sharing thoughts and latest technological advancements on the ‘Future Landscape of Mechanised Warfare and Infusion of Niche Technology’ began at Chandimandir Military Station today. The seminar, “Mech Tech”, was inaugurated…

Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani, Vice-Chief of Army Staff, at the exhibition “Make in India Continuum: Making Mechanised Platforms Future Ready” in Chandimandir, Panchkula, on Monday. TRIBUNE PHOTO: RAVI KUMAR

A two-day seminar aimed at providing a comprehensive platform for sharing thoughts and latest technological advancements on the ‘Future Landscape of Mechanised Warfare and Infusion of Niche Technology’ began at Chandimandir Military Station today.

The seminar, “Mech Tech”, was inaugurated by the Vice-Chief of the Army Staff, Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani. It underscores the imperative need for technological evolution in mechanised warfare, keeping in view emerging threats and evolving battlefield milieu.

Senior serving and retired military officers as well as representatives from the defence industry and academia discussed artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, advanced armour protection, next generation communication networks and enhanced firepower solutions to ensure that the Indian Army’s mechanised platforms remain future-ready.

The GOC-in-C, Army Training Command (ARTRAC) and other senior officers discussed emerging challenges for mechanised warfare from contemporary conflicts and plausible trajectory for future mechanised warfare.

Deliberations were also carried out on various issues which are envisaged to make the existing mechanised platforms more battle worthy in terms of mobility, firepower and survivability.

Opening an associated exhibition, Lt Gen Manoj Kumar Katiyar, GOC-in-C Western Command, interacted with industry representatives and emphasised the role of indigenous defence capabilities, aligning with the government’s vision of self reliance in the defence sector.

He said in the present decade of transformation, technology is the key component for the Army to become a future-ready force. A large number of new generation weapons and equipment are being inducted in the Army and at the same time, there is a huge scope to infuse technology in the existing weapon systems to enhance their capability, he added.

He also stressed the need to invest in research and development by industry and academia to give further impetus to startups and premier education institutes, especially in the states of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana.

Prominent defence industry players, research organisations and startups showcased innovative solutions for combat vehicles, sensor based warfare, and digitalised command and control systems.

Border Security Force (BSF) troops shot dead a Pakistan intruder on the Amritsar border on Monday. During the morning hours, the BSF troops on duty observed suspicious movement of a Pakistani intruder, who surreptitiously crossed the IB (International Border). He…

Border Security Force (BSF) troops shot dead a Pakistan intruder on the Amritsar border on Monday.

During the morning hours, the BSF troops on duty observed suspicious movement of a Pakistani intruder, who surreptitiously crossed the IB (International Border). He started approaching towards border security fence taking advantage of undulating ground and wheat crops in the border area near Kotrazda village in the district.

The BSF troops challenged the intruder, but he did not stop his advance and started running towards the border security fence.Noticing his aggressive gesture, the troops on duty fired at the advancing intruder in self-defence and neutralized him on the spot.

On searching the area carefully, a mobile phone was recovered from his possession. The legal formalities of handing over the body of the Pakistan intruder to the Ramdas police station are being carried out.

As many as 718 tourists, including seven foreigners, have been evacuated from the Spiti valley to Kinnaur in the past two days, according to Deputy Commissioner, Lahaul and Spiti, Rahul Kumar. These tourists were stranded in Spiti since February 26…

As many as 718 tourists, including seven foreigners, have been evacuated from the Spiti valley to Kinnaur in the past two days, according to Deputy Commissioner, Lahaul and Spiti, Rahul Kumar. These tourists were stranded in Spiti since February 26 due to heavy snowfall. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) managed to restore road connectivity from Kaza to Kinnaur, enabling the evacuation process.

Fresh snowfall in Lahaul today further complicated snow-clearing operations. Traffic movement had been completely halted across the valley since February 26 with major routes remaining blocked. The blocked roads included the Manali-Leh highway between Manali and Keylong, Sansari-Killar-Thirot-Tandi road connecting the Lahaul valley to the Pangi region of Chamba district and the Keylong-Darcha road. The disruption in road connectivity has affected transportation services badly in the district.

Besides, the district has been facing significant power outage since February 26. While power was restored in Keylong two days ago, other areas remained without electricity, impacting daily life. The disruption in power supply also affected telecommunication services across the region, making it difficult for people to stay connected.

As of now, 237 electricity transformers in the district are disrupted — 41 in Lahaul, 57 in Udaipur and 139 in Spiti divisions. Out of the 165 roads in the district, including national highways, 163 remain blocked, cutting off the region from the state.

Kunga Bodh, a member of the District Council of Lahaul and Spiti, has appealed to the state government and the local administration to initiate emergency helicopter services for the district and other tribal districts for a few days. “Basic services like electricity, telephone and roads have been severely affected. Some youths, who are stuck in Lahaul, were to reach Ladakh for the Agniveer written exam on March 9, which is crucial for their future,” Bodh stated.

The Deputy Commissioner said that inclement weather had hampered the work to restore roads and power supply. However, he assured people that as soon as the weather conditions improve, the restoration work would be intensified to bring back to normalcy in the region.

Residents of Lahaul and Spiti have been grappling with disruptions due to heavy snowfall for the past six days. Heavy snowfall has cut them off from the rest of the state. The continuous snowfall, including at the Atal Tunnel at Rohtang on the Manali-Leh highway that connects the Lahaul valley to Manali, has disrupted transportation and communication networks in the region.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met Princess Astrid of Belgium and Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken on Monday to discuss potential defence cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. Following the meeting, the Defence Minister shared on social media platform X, stating, “We…

Tribune News Service

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met Princess Astrid of Belgium and Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken on Monday to discuss potential defence cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

Following the meeting, the Defence Minister shared on social media platform X, stating, “We discussed issues related to regional security and the possibility of defence engagements in the Indo-Pacific.” He also highlighted deliberations on strengthening defence industrial cooperation between India and Belgium.

The Belgian delegation also held talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, focusing on semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), clean energy and research and innovation. Jaishankar emphasised the opportunities for Belgian businesses under India’s initiatives, stating, “This visit allows Belgium to assess developments in India and take advantage of Make in India, Design in India, Research in India and Innovate in India. We are confident that this economic mission will lead to greater cooperation.”

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Princess Astrid and her delegation will also visit Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Delhi during their stay in India from March 2 to 8. Princess Astrid is the sister of Belgium’s King Philippe and is leading an economic delegation aimed at enhancing bilateral ties.

European leaders propose peace plan, seek US support

US President Donald Trump has paused military aid to Ukraine following his clash with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last week, said a White House official, deepening the fissure that has opened between the two one-time allies.

“President Trump has been clear that he is focused on peace. We need our partners to be committed to that goal as well. We are pausing and reviewing our aid to ensure that it is contributing to a solution,” said the official on Monday, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

The White House had no immediate comment on the scope and amount of aid affected or how long the pause would last. The Pentagon could not provide further details.

Zelenskyy’s office did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment nor did the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington.

The move comes after Trump upended US policy on Ukraine and Russia upon taking office in January, adopting a more conciliatory stance towards Moscow – and after an explosive confrontation with Zelenskyy at the White House on Friday in which Trump criticized him for being insufficiently grateful for Washington’s backing in the war with Russia..

On Monday, Trump again said Zelenskyy should be more appreciative of American support after earlier responding angrily to an Associated Press report quoting Zelenskiy as saying the end of the war is “very, very far away.”

“This is the worst statement that could have been made by Zelenskyy, and America will not put up with it for much longer!” Trump wrote on Truth Social, using an alternative spelling of the Ukrainian leader’s name.

Letter no. 652 dated 27-02-2025 of SBI Click to open

‘Remembrance Garden’, an international campaign to commemorate victims who sacrificed their lives in World War-II, was held under the leadership of Mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla at the Chandigarh War Memorial in Bougainvillea Garden, Sector 3, today. The event was organised…

Remembrance Garden’, an international campaign to commemorate victims who sacrificed their lives in World War-II, was held under the leadership of Mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla at the Chandigarh War Memorial in Bougainvillea Garden, Sector 3, today.

The event was organised by “Volunteers of Victory”, an all-Russian public movement, NGOs Atlas and Prayas Youth Welfare Society, and councillor Maheshinder Singh Sidhu.

As many as 80 bougainvillea saplings were planted in the memory of soldiers who laid their lives during the World War-II and other wars. The campaign, which began in 2020 in Russia, has expanded to over 50 countries and aims to promote remembrance and honour the fallen heroes.

Earlier Chinese Song-class of submarines were surveilled loitering the Indian Ocean Region

India is closely monitoring China’s growing presence in the Indian Ocean, according to Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi. The Navy keeps a watchful eye on the activities of the Chinese PLA Navy, including their warships and research vessels, to ensure that Indian interests in the region are not compromised.

This heightened vigilance is part of India’s broader strategy to address potential threats from neighbouring countries, including the surprising growth of the Pakistan Navy, which is receiving significant support from China.

China’s increasing naval presence in the Indian Ocean is seen as part of its broader ambition to become a global maritime power. The PLA Navy’s activities are not limited to military operations; they also involve research vessels that survey ocean parameters, which could aid in future submarine operations.

Admiral Tripathi’s highlighted the extensive maritime collaboration between China and Pakistan, which has been ongoing for over two decades. This partnership has significantly bolstered Pakistan’s naval capabilities, particularly since 2009. Key aspects of this collaboration include:

China has provided Pakistan with substantial maritime equipment, including, 3 F-22 frigates, these are part of China’s efforts to enhance Pakistan’s naval capabilities. 4 Type 054 warships, these are multi-role warships that offer advanced operational capabilities.

A satellite tracking vessel, this enhances Pakistan’s surveillance and communication capabilities at sea.

This collaboration is part of a broader strategic partnership aimed at countering India’s influence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). China’s support helps Pakistan strengthen its naval presence, which is crucial for both countries’ interests in the region. The partnership contributes to the geopolitical dynamics in the IOR, with India closely monitoring these developments to ensure its maritime security and dominance in the region.

Additionally, China’s strategic investments in ports across the Indian Ocean, such as Gwadar in Pakistan, are viewed with concern by India, as these could potentially be used to enhance China’s naval capabilities in the region.

Despite these challenges, Admiral Tripathi emphasised that India has an effective structure in place to monitor and respond to maritime activities. The Indian Navy remains alert and prepared to protect the country’s coastline and interests in the Indian Ocean.

The Navy Chief also noted that while the oceans are open to all, any operations must not compromise India’s security.

India’s approach reflects a proactive stance towards maintaining maritime security and stability in the face of China’s expanding naval presence.

Exercise Desert Hunt 2025, conducted by the Indian Air Force from February 24 to 28, 2025, at Air Force Station Jodhpur, was a landmark integrated Tri-Service Special Forces exercise.

This high-intensity drill brought together elite units from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, including the Para (Special Forces) of the Army, the Marine Commandos (MARCOS) of the Navy, and the Garud Special Forces of the Air Force. The exercise aimed to enhance interoperability, coordination, and synergy among these units to ensure a swift and effective response to emerging security challenges.

Designed to enhance interoperability, coordination, and synergy among the three Special Forces units, the exercise tested their ability to respond swiftly and effectively to evolving security threats. Key training components included airborne insertion, precision strikes, hostage rescue, counter-terrorism operations, combat free falls, and urban warfare scenarios—all conducted under realistic battlefield conditions.

The exercise included a range of complex scenarios such as airborne insertion, precision strikes, hostage rescue operations, counter-terrorism drills, combat free falls, and urban warfare simulations. These were conducted under realistic conditions to test the combat readiness, endurance, and adaptability of the forces.

Senior military officials supervised the exercise to validate joint doctrines and assess the effectiveness of integrated operations. The exercise served as a critical platform to foster inter-service cooperation, reinforcing the Indian Armed Forces’ commitment to strengthening national security through seamless collaboration.

Exercise Desert Hunt 2025 demonstrated the Indian Armed Forces’ capability to operate as a unified and cohesive unit, ready to tackle multifaceted security challenges. It highlighted the importance of jointmanship in modern warfare and marked a significant milestone in enhancing India’s defence preparedness.

The successful execution of the exercise showcased the elite capabilities of India’s Special Forces and their dedication to protecting the nation, underscoring the importance of such exercises in an increasingly complex global security landscape.