Amid the standoff with China in the Line of Actual Control (LAC), India has procured high altitude warfare kits from the United States as the country is preparing for extended winter deployment, reported Bloomberg.
In an official statement, India has signed a military agreement—The Logistics Exchange Memorandum Agreement signed in August 2016—with the US, allowing the two militaries to seek logistical support from each other for buying fuels for warship and aircraft and its spare parts, reported the news agency.
The standoff amid the Covid-19 pandemic has prompted India and China to move thousands of troops, tanks, warfare kits and missiles to the border, while fighter jets are on stand-by.
Foreign Minister S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi agreed in September to reduce tensions along the 3,488-kilometer (2,167-mile) boundary.
Speaking at the Bloomberg India Economic Summit on Thursday last, Jaishankar said, “Military and diplomatic talks on troop disengagement are a work in progress.”
India until now sourced high-altitude kits for its armed forces mainly from Europe or China. However, the recent deal is taken eyeing the worst standoff between India and China in the last four decade.
The Indian Army did not comment on the high altitude warfare kits procurement but confirmed the visit of SK Saini—second after the Indian Army Chief—to the US, reported Bloomberg.