An IAF Apache attack gunship flies over Ladakh region amid border tension with China

Post the deadly Galwan clash between the Indian and the Chinese forces along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh, the Indian Army and the Air Force (IAF) have emerged stronger and have enhanced their capabilities manifold in all fields to evolve strongly

Having fought bravely during the Galwan valley clash last year on June 15, the Indian Army and the Air Force (IAF) have emerged stronger and have enhanced their capabilities manifold in all fields to evolve strongly. While the Indian Army has strengthened its presence in the Ladakh sector, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has been boosted strongly by the inclusion of the Rafale fighter jets in its fleet.

India Today TV takes a look at the major developments undertaken by the armed forces in the one year after the Galwan clash in which 20 soldiers were killed.

Infrastructure

From the infrastructure point of view, the biggest achievements have been clinched by the day and night work of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). The road connectivity to all the forward locations has been improved in all areas including the Zojila pass, world's highest motorable road Umling La, Marsmik La or Khardung La. They have been kept open for troop movement throughout the year, courtesy the BRO, officials said.

The connectivity has also helped us to keep all our forward locations supplied throughout the year and given us the capability to deploy troops in no time there, they said.

Additional Strike Corps Addition

The Indian Army has also strengthened its deployments in Ladakh as well as along the entire Line of Actual Control (LAC) with Additional Strike Corps now being deployed to tackle the China border.

"The Mathura-based One Strike Corps has been reoriented towards the northern borders in Ladakh and the 17 Mountain Strike Corps has been given the charge of the entire north-eastern states along with providing it an additional Division comprising over 10,000 troops," officials said.

Rafale Boost

The Indian Air Force on its part is also strengthening itself with the arrival of its Rafale fighter jets every couple of months, the officials said.

Along with the Rafales, the MiG-29s and the Su-30 fleets have been dominating the skies all along the northern borders and the second squadron or the planes would be ready for operations by the end of this month, the officials said.

Troop Accommodation

The biggest achievement of the defence forces has been in creating accommodation for the troops as the Military Engineers have created facilities planned to have been built in the next five years within the last 11 months. Officials said the preparedness of the armed forces is now at a level where the Chinese or any other adversary cannot surprise us in any way.