Indian Army deploys upgraded L-70 anti-aircraft guns along LAC in Arunachal Pradesh

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Vaibhav Agrawal
Vaibhav Agrawal
Vaibhav Agrawal is the founder editor of Bhraman (a Digital Travelogue). As an independent journalist, he is passionate for investigating and reporting on complex subjects. He has an extensive background in both print and digital media, with a focus on Travel and Defence reporting. *Views are personal

As the Chinese People’s Liberation Army enhances its military exercises across the Line of Actual Control (LAC), integrated defence locations along the LAC in Arunachal Pradesh have been made by the Indian Army amid the ongoing border dispute with China.  

As per officials, these integrated defence locations consist of complete communication, operations, logistics system and surveillance along with being a mechanism in itself at various places across the LAC.

The Mechanism

In case of a battle, along with absolute synergy among the support systems for the troops, this would be a total defence mechanism in itself where military attack helicopters and big guns could easily be mobilised within minutes.

To thwart any threat or contingencies sensed, the defence locations are being made along the LAC across the state of Arunachal Pradesh. 

Vintage L-70 anti-aircraft gun deployed

The upgraded vintage L-70 air defence guns have been deployed by the force along with Bofors and M777 howitzer. In the previous month, the vintage L-70 anti-aircraft gun was reported to be converted into a “drone killer”.

The L-70 anti-aircraft gun was one of the most popular medium-weight anti-aircraft systems during World War II and was used by the majority of western Allies. However, the vintage gun has been modified into a ‘drone killer’ as a part of a project initiated around a year ago by the Indian Army’s Air Defence Corps. 

As per official reports, automatic target tracking capabilities under all weather conditions and target acquisition of the upgraded L-70 has been enhanced with high-resolution electro-optical sensors.

The ability to neutralize the target after automatically detecting it has made the gun effective against swarm drones and low flying objects.

According to an Indian Army officer, to achieve enhanced accuracy of fire, the gun is also equipped with a Muzzle Velocity Radar while 200 L-70s have been upgraded by BEL. The Indian Army is already in possession of around 1,180 such guns while in the late 1960s, these guns were initially purchased off the shelf from the Swedish company Bofors AB and later on it was produced by the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB).

Increased Chinese Activities

To thwart any contingencies, more machines and men are being deployed by India and have also enhanced its defence and surveillance capabilities keeping the increased Chinese activities across LAC in view.

An Army official said that with several measures being taken, enhancing the surveillance in-depth areas and close to the LAC was one of the top priorities which the army is doing by synergizing efforts of all the surveillance equipment under their possession. 

Increased preparedness 

The official added that a major focus was on the adequacy of the troops as well. To deal with any contingency which may arise, adequate forces were available in each sector for the same while they were also rehearsing on many other contingencies which might come up in areas with thin deployment. 

Border disputes have kept India and China engaged for the past 17 months at the Line of Actual Control while the deployments are now strengthened further by India.

A few days back to tackle the Chinese during violent face-offs, Non-lethal weapons were provided to the Indian security forces deployed along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) after barbed clubs and tasers were used by the Chinese troops against the Indian forces in the Galwan valley clash.

Soon after the Galwan valley clash, a Noida based start-up firm was tasked to facilitate the Indian security forces with equipment allowing them to tackle the Chinese and a solution for the same was provided by the company in the form of non-lethal weapons inspired from the traditional Indian weapons like Trishul (Trident) of the Hindu god Shiva.

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