Gen Pande visits Ladakh to review op preparedness

NEW DELHI: In his first visit outside Delhi after taking over as Army Chief, General Manoj Pande on Thursday started his three-day tour of the Ladakh sector where he would review the overall security situation along the borders with China and Pakistan.

The Army Chief arrived in Ladakh on Thursday and would be briefed on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China by Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi and ‘Fire and Fury’ Corps Commander Lt Gen A Sengupta.

On the first day of his visit, the Gen Pande reviewed the equipment used by the Army in the Ladakh sector including unmanned aerial vehicles along with other ‘Made-in-India’ defence equipment, Army officials said.

12 more weapon-locating radars for China border

The Army is looking to acquire 12 made-in-India weapon locating radars, which would add significantly to its defences along the China front.

The system, called the Swathi, enables soldiers to automatically detect the location from where enemy weapons like mortars, shells and rockets are being fired upto a distance of 50km. The system is capable of simultaneously detecting multiple projectiles which have been fired towards friendly positions. Knowing the location of enemy weapons such as artillery guns enables the Army to launch a counter-strike to take them out.

Rajnath approves revised ‘scales of accommodation’

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved revised “scales of accommodation” for defence services to ensure better standards of living for the armed forces personnel.

The defence ministry said the implementation of scales of accommodation — 2022 would facilitate improvement in facilities and infrastructure for the stay of the armed forces personnel.