Strategic Ammunition Storage in Eastern Ladakh
The Environment Ministry’s expert panel has approved several strategic projects in Eastern Ladakh, focusing on enhancing ammunition storage near the Sino-China border.
Key Proposals Approved
- Formation Ammunition Storage Facility (FASF):
- Strategically located near Hanle and Photi La.
- Includes underground caverns for strategic equipment storage.
- Strengthening Presence:
- Proposals for Lukung (near Pangong Tso lake) and Durbuk area.
- Wildlife Clearance: Secured in December 2024.
Benefits of the Proposal
- Improved Storage and Deployment:
- Ensures adequate ammunition storage and supervision.
- Facilitates faster unit deployment in operational scenarios.
- Operational Readiness:
- Aims to address the urgent necessity for forward placing combat elements.
- Current storage is ad hoc, approximately 250-300 km away from key locations like Hanle and Photi La.
Additional Infrastructure Developments
- Permanent Facilities:
- Inland water transport platoon at Lukung.
- Infantry battalion camp at Erath.
- Objective: To regularize and strengthen temporary facilities, anticipating an increase in forces post-2020 border tensions with China.