Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch
Interesting that they're buying the light tank (Sprut). I thought they went whole hog into the T-90 heavy tank and their home grown Arjun tank.
The Sprut is fast, but while its designated as a tank destroyer, its defensive capabilities are a little suspect.
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T72, T90 and the Arjun are more suited for the western border with Pakistan, specifically the Punjab Plains and Rajasthan Desert. India has deployed T72 and T90 to Ladakh but these tanks faced terrain-related restrictions. That's been the past two months; imagine the logistics in the winter at 16000 ft.
The Sprut is air-liftable by Mi26 and is more nimble for the mountainous terrain of the Ladakh. However, I'd be more inclined to base my defense on Kornet ATGM and artillery. But I'm not sure the Indians are thinking defense here.
The Chinese intend to want to keep the border region hot and they have already deployed their T-15 and artillery to the Depsang Plains, which straddles the Line of Actual Control. Depending on which source you read, they may have already set up shop on the Indian side. If so, then India will require some offensive maneuvering to root them out.