India adds firepower in eastern sector of LAC with new inductions and upgrades

The Army has upgraded its vintage air defence Bofors guns, besides bringing in the new Ultra Light Howitzer M777 artillery guns.

The focus may have been on the western sector of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, but the Indian Army has been boosting its firepower in the eastern sector as well. The Army has upgraded its vintage air defence Bofors guns, besides bringing in the new Ultra Light Howitzer M777 artillery guns.

Owing to strategic concerns, officers in the Tawang Sector in the Eastern Command did not share the details about the number of such guns available in the region.

Senior officials, however, said the strength of these weapon systems was adequate.

Bum-La, border meeting point between India and China along Line of Actual Control in Tawang sector. (ANI)

India had bought around 145 M777 guns, the first of which were inducted in 2018. Officials said that starting last year these ultra light weapons have been deployed in the eastern sector. Of the 145 ordered, over half have been delivered. The three regiments they make up are facing the LAC across sectors.

Brigadier Sanjeev Kumar, who heads an artillery brigade in the Tawang sector said the Ultra Light Howitzer has several advantages over the Bofors gun, which has been India’s artillery mainstay since the late 1980s.