Indian Army Sets Up World's Highest Tank Repair Facilities in Eastern Ladakh

The Indian Army has made history by setting up two tank repair facilities in Eastern Ladakh, making them the world's highest at altitudes exceeding 14,500 feet near the China border. These facilities, located in Nyoma and the DBO Sector, aim to provide maintenance and repair services for a significant number of tanks and infantry combat vehicles deployed in the area, including Indian-made armored vehicles like the Quick Reaction Fighting Vehicles.

Since the stand-off between India and China began in April-May 2020 due to Chinese aggression in the region, the Indian Army has strategically deployed tanks and BMP combat vehicles in Eastern Ladakh. These armored vehicles have been stationed in super-high-altitude areas, such as Nyoma and the DBO Sector, where the extreme conditions make it challenging to retrieve them for maintenance and repair, prompting the establishment of the new repair facilities. The army has been focusing on infrastructure development to support its armored fleet, ensuring operational readiness even in the harsh winter conditions where temperatures plummet.

Visiting the Medium Maintenance Facility for Armored Fighting Vehicles, Army Chief General Manoj Pande witnessed the unique maintenance setup that aims to enhance serviceability and mission reliability of tanks and infantry combat vehicles. By staging forward specialist technical support infrastructure for armored vehicles, the facilities are intended to elevate operational efficiency and battle readiness, especially in rugged terrains and severe weather conditions where temperatures can drop as low as minus 40 degrees. India and China's standoff in the eastern Ladakh region has prompted both countries to deploy a significant number of troops and combat vehicles near the borders, with India responding swiftly to counter Chinese military movements by bringing in heavy armored elements from distant regions using C-17 transport aircraft.