28.5c India
The Indian Army strategically improves its battle readiness by extending and moving firing ranges, emphasizing the northeastern region and other advanced areas near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. This change comes as the Army focuses on sustaining preparedness in locations crucial to national security.
The Arunachal Pradesh government has handed over land in Mandala and Kamrala, near Yangtse in Tawang, to the Army to construct new firing ranges. These locations, located at an elevation of 10,000 feet, are near the site of the December 9, 2022 clash between Indian forces and the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA). Procuring these high-altitude ranges highlights the Army's commitment to improving its operational capabilities.
The Army's aim to extend its firing ranges is partly motivated by the necessity to keep up with continuing infrastructural development. For example, the firing range in Ayodhya is being relocated due to its proximity to the flight route of a new airport that will be built once the Ram Lalla idol is consecrated at the temple.
Currently, the Indian Army has 24 designated firing ranges across the country, six of which are in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. In these locations, confrontations have historically occurred with neighbouring China and Pakistan. However, the Army has been forced to give up some of its ranges due to developmental needs.
In addition to building fire ranges, the Indian Army is prioritizing environmental sustainability as part of its modernization initiatives.
Furthermore, the Army intends to make all 306 military installations landfill-free within five years, drawing inspiration from excellent waste management practices in Indore, a city known for its civic ecosystems.
The continual development and modernization of firing ranges and the Army's commitment to sustainability show a comprehensive strategy for improving India's defence capabilities while embracing ecologically friendly practices.