China’s PLA begins major military exercises in high-altitude Tibet
The Chinese army has begun its military exercises in Tibet. The plateau region bordering India, deploying latest weapons including the 15 light battle tank and the new 155-MM vehicle-mounted howitzer, a media report said on Sunday.
The Tibet Military Command of People Liberation Army (PLA) started its New Year by deployment of helicopters, armoured vehicles, heavy artillery and anti-aircraft missiles across the region from Lhasa, capital of Tibet, to the border defense front lines with elevations of more than 4,000 metres, Global Times reported. India-China Line of Actual Control (LAC) including the border along Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim covers 3,488 kilometers. China consider Arunachal Pradesh as part of South Tibet.
The howitzer and tanks, revealed to its public on the National Day military parade on October 1 last year, are specifically designed for plateau regions and can play important roles in safeguarding boarder areas. Their deployment in the Tibet Military Command will enhance PLA combat skills in the high-altitude regions. Both were equipped with powerful engines, enabling to manoeuvre efficiently in the terrains of Tibet, the report said. Heavy hostile weapons cannot reach the oxygen-depleted border areas and if lighter, they do not have enough firepower.
The Type 15 tank is the world’s only lightweight combat tank in the service and equipped with 105 MM gun and advanced sensors that could devastate enemy light armored vehicles in the regions. The six-wheeled, 155 MM vehicle-mounted howitzer is of high caliber, reacts fast and can be easily deployed, said the reports.
