Rawat in Leh, holds meet with members of 15th finance panel
FUND FACTOR Army chief apprises finance commission of army’s modernisation and development needs
JAMMU : Close on the heels of a face-off between India and China in Ladakh, Indian Army chief general Bipin Rawat on Tuesday visited the headquarters of the Fire and Fury Corps (14 Corps) in Leh and appraised the 15th Finance Commission of the army’s requirements.
General Rawat interacted with members of the 15th Finance Commission in Ladakh to understand the financial outlay to meet the modernisation and infrastructure development requirements, said defence spokesperson Col Rajesh Kalia.
The Indian Army will debut the mountain strike corps next month at Him Vijay exercise in Arunachal Pradesh. Over 15,000 soldiers, tanks, medium artillery, helicopters and transport aircrafts will be part of the exercise.
General Rawat met with 15th finance commission chairperson NK Singh, Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Ranbir Singh and general officer commanding, Fire & Fury Corps, lieutenant general YK Joshi.
“General Rawat highlighted the peculiar terrain, weather and altitude challenges on Ladakh, which require specialised equipment and skills. He also told the finance commission that the focus will be on improving connectivity to the border areas,” said Col Kalia.
The finance commission assured the Indian Army that it will be provided with all the support required to discharge their duties effectively.
Meanwhile, lieutenant general Ranbir Singh also witnessed an exercise by integrated troops of all arms and services in eastern Ladakh on Tuesday. He was briefed on the conduct of the exercise by lieutenant general YK Joshi.
“The exercise encompassed employment of mechanised forces with force multipliers integrating high technology platforms,” said Col Kalia.
Complimenting the commanders and troops , Lt Gen Ranbir Singh said he was confident that the Northern Command will continue it’s legacy of excelling in combat should a conflict be forced upon the nation.
He also said that with the induction of new weapon systems and high-tech equipment, the capability and lethality of the Indian Army was progressively improving with each passing day, said the spokesperson.
On September 11, Indian and Chinese soldiers entered a faceoff near Pangong lake in eastern Ladakh. Two-thirds of the 135km-long Pangong Tso (lake) is controlled by China. The Indian and Chinese troops engaged in a confrontation near the northern bank of the lake.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet Chinese president Xi Jinping from October 10 -12 near Chennai.