DARIUS
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From the kind of discussions that are going on it seems that most members on this forum are serving at top levels of the Indian defence establishment (it could be so but no offence intended!!).However before continuing any further I would like every one to take a look at this extract dated 19th August 2012 from the IE:
Now my point of view is that the strike corps were planned to raised near Panagarh AF base which happens to be in my home state.If the GoI actually goes for the plan after much deliberation it could very well afford to do so in top secrecy and of course given the fact that it would not result in any visible increase numerically in the troops already stationed in AP.Hence this entire fuss may be just another twist given to the entire design to appease China and at the same time continue to work on it.I do not think that the GoI would have changed its mind so drastically since the time the above news was published since it would be only just a few days gap in that case before the second article cropped up!!
Govt tells Armed Forces to re-draw plan to raise strike corps for China border - Indian ExpressGovt tells Armed Forces to re-draw plan to raise strike corps for China border
The plan to raise a new mountain strike corps for the China border in the eastern sector is now back to the drawing board. The government is learnt to have sent back the proposal, asking the three service chiefs to jointly come up with a plan involving all three forces.
The rethink has come almost a year after the government gave its in-principle clearance to set up the strike corps, which eventually took the shape of a CCS note that was awaiting finance approval. It was estimated that the new corps would cost about Rs 65,000 crore with fresh accretion of 89,000 soldiers and 400 officers.
The plan was forcefully piloted by former Army Chief Gen V K Singh, who had projected it as critical to launch a counter-offensive into Tibet in case of a Kargil-type adventure by China.
Even then, questions were raised on whether this step would end up being more provocative than effective in the long run. But the Army had cited Chinas overall aggressive military build-up and intelligence that Beijing was rehearsing plans for a local military offensive by way of specific exercises in and around the Tibet Autonomous Region.
The Finance Ministry had raised questions on the longevity of the China threat. While the expectation was that the government would push this into the new 2012-13 financial year, sources said, there has been a sudden rethink at the highest levels.
Insiders clarified that the government has not gone back on developing a credible preparedness level against Chinas rapidly expanding military profile on the borders, but it does want a relook at the strategy from all possible sides. For this purpose, sources said, it was felt that the Chiefs of Staff Committee comprising the three service chiefs was the right forum to take a fresh look and suggest a comprehensive plan.
Another provocation for returning the proposal was that the government did not want the Army, Navy and Air Force to send separate proposals on countering China. It is learnt that the government felt there was a need for more coordination.
The new strike corps was to come up Panagarh, West Bengal, along with two more divisions. An independent armoured brigade along with an artillery division were to be part of the set-up. Already, two divisions are being raised in the eastern theatre along with the newly-created Arunachal Scouts battalions.
Now my point of view is that the strike corps were planned to raised near Panagarh AF base which happens to be in my home state.If the GoI actually goes for the plan after much deliberation it could very well afford to do so in top secrecy and of course given the fact that it would not result in any visible increase numerically in the troops already stationed in AP.Hence this entire fuss may be just another twist given to the entire design to appease China and at the same time continue to work on it.I do not think that the GoI would have changed its mind so drastically since the time the above news was published since it would be only just a few days gap in that case before the second article cropped up!!