Seeking to keep a closer eye on the activities of the Chinese military both near the Indian territory as well as in its depth areas all along the 4,000 kilometre Line of Actual Control (LAC), the Indian security forces feel there is a requirement of four to six dedicated spy satellites which can help them keep a check on the adversary’s moves.
The need has been felt after the Chinese army in the garb of an exercise in the Xinjiang region on its side of the LAC mobilised more than 40,000 troops along with heavy weaponry and artillery and started transgressing into Indian territory at multiple locations surprising the Army formations located in Leh, including the 14 Corps headquarters.
The capability and assets would also help the country reduce dependence on foreign associates to keep a watch on Chinese and other adversaries, they said. Indian forces already have a few military satellites which are used for keeping a close watch on the adversaries but there is a need to further strengthen that capability.
At the moment, Chinese troops have transgressed into Indian territory in Finger area along the Pangong Tso lake where they are refusing to disengage completely. China wants to create an observation post at Finger-5. In Gogra area also, they are maintaining some elements.
Because of the lack of clarity about the Chinese activities, the Indian side took time to build up its numbers in Ladakh and additional forces had to be pumped in from adjoining areas and reserve formations were also moved there.
The Chinese have created a similar build up all along the LAC opposite Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh but the Chinese troops there are in depth areas. In the Ladakh sector, the defence ministry has now admitted that the Chinese troops have transgressed into Indian territory at multiple locations.
