Army finalizes deal to acquire 12 patrol boats to monitor Pangong Lake and other bodies of water | India News

NEW DELHI: The Indian army has completed the acquisition of 12 high-performance patrol boats to improve its surveillance of large bodies of water, including the Pangong lake in the East Ladakh where India and China have been locked in a bitter border confrontation since early May.
The Army said it signed a contract with Goa Shipyard Ltd, a state-owned public sector company, for 12 fast patrol boats for surveillance and patrolling of large bodies of water, including those found in high altitude areas.
“Delivery would start from May 2021,” the Army tweeted.
Official sources said the boats are being purchased to monitor Pangong Lake and other bodies of water in mountainous areas.
In a statement, Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) said it signed a contract with the Indian Army for the supply of the ‘high performance specialized patrol boats’ on Thursday and that they will be equipped with specialized equipment to meet the force’s requirements. .

“These ships will be built at GSL, Goa and will be only a few ships in the world for such specialized operations,” he said in a short statement.
Nearly 50,000 Indian Army troops are deployed in a high state of combat readiness in various mountainous locations in eastern Ladakh in freezing temperatures, as multiple rounds of talks between the two sides have yielded no concrete results to resolve the confrontation. .
China has also deployed an equal number of troops, according to officials.
The eighth and final round of military talks took place on November 6 during which both sides discussed extensively the withdrawal of troops from specific sticking points.
Last week, the army chief, General MM Naravane, visited several high-altitude advanced areas in eastern Ladakh, including those around Lake Pangong, and reviewed India’s overall military readiness.
About three and a half months ago, Indian troops occupied various strategic heights in the mountainous areas of Mukhpari, Rechin La and Magar around the southern shore of Lake Pangong after the Chinese army tried to intimidate them in the area in the middle night. August 29 and 30.
Pangong Lake and its surroundings are considered very important. India has stepped up surveillance of the lake after the fighting began in early May.
The confrontation began on May 5 after violent clashes between the two armies in the Pangong Lake area. The incident in Pangong Tso was followed by a similar incident in North Sikkim on May 9.