LOC17:55
14:55 GMT
China
NEW DELHI, Feb 7 (KUNA) -- The Indian Army will raise two new mountain
divisions, with 15,000 soldiers each, which will be tailor-made for operations
in the hills of Northern and Northeastern part of the country.
The groundwork on the organisational structure and equipment profile of the
two new proposed mountain divisions had started after Indias Cabinet
Committee on security recently approved this plan, Indias leading English
daily The Times of India reported Thursday quoting a source in the Indian
Defence Ministry.
The two new mountain divisions will have integral tactical air mobility
assets in the shape of medium to heavy-lift helicopters, The Times of India
said.
The approval for the new mountain divisions comes at a time when New
Delhis Northern neighbour China is upgrading its military infrastructure
along its more than 4,000 km long boundary with India.
The 1.13-million strong Indian Army has 10 mountain divisions out of a
total of 35 divisions.
The Indian government has also kick-started infrastructure development
programmes, particularly road development along its border with China, the
daily said. (end)
dr.bz.
KUNA 071755 Feb 08NNNN