Army pushes hard for new strike corps in N-E

After PLA's incursion in Ladakh, the army is making fresh attempts to speed up the setting up of a new mountain strike corps, in an attempt to sharpen its combat edge in the country's eastern sector.

After PLA's incursion in Ladakh, the army is making fresh attempts to speed up the setting up of a new mountain strike corps, in an attempt to sharpen its combat edge in the country's eastern sector.

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The three-week border faceoff with China in Daulat Beg Oldie, which ended on May 5, appears to have given a fresh push to army's plans of buffing up its capabilities along the line of actual control (LAC).

It is learnt that army chief General Bikram Singh has been pushing hard for raising the new strike corps to defend the country's farthest frontiers.

The army chief met defence minister AK Antony on Monday and reportedly updated him on the ground situation along the disputed border with China following the April 15 Chinese incursion.

It is learnt that the matter relating to the setting up of the strike corps was discussed, but there was no official confirmation.

"We hope it gets fast-tracked now," said an army official.

The finance ministry is currently studying financial aspects and implications of raising the new offensive formation, which could cost upwards of R60,000 crore. The matter will then be sent to the Cabinet Committee on Security for approval.

The army is also understood to be pressing hard for the acquisition of 145 M777 lightweight howitzers, which India plans to buy from the US under a government-to-government deal worth Rs 3,000 crore.