As Indian troops brace for another harsh winter along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, the Indian Army is facing the formidable task of maintaining its forward positions in one of the world’s most treacherous terrains. For the fifth consecutive winter, troops will be deployed at high altitudes to secure India’s northern borders while adapting to the evolving challenges of logistics and combat readiness.
Since the violent clashes between Indian and Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley in June 2020, tensions along the 3,488-kilometer-long LAC have escalated, leading to a significant military build-up on both sides. Despite ongoing diplomatic and military negotiations to de-escalate the situation, the enduring “trust deficit” between the two nuclear-armed neighbors has necessitated continuous troop deployment at strategic forward locations.
China’s aggressive military posturing and infrastructure development, especially along the western sector of the LAC in Ladakh, have forced India to maintain a robust defensive stance. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has constructed permanent fortifications and deployed troops in numbers that suggest no imminent return to peacetime locations. In response, the Indian Army has undertaken a protracted deployment strategy to defend the country’s sovereignty, assuming the role of the first line of defense during the harsh winter months for the fifth consecutive year.
The logistical challenges of maintaining military posts along the LAC during winter are immense. The rugged terrain, extreme weather, and the high-altitude environment create natural barriers that make regular supply lines difficult to maintain. Winter temperatures in some locations plummet to as low as -30 to -40 degrees Celsius, with strong winds exacerbating the cold and making survival itself a daily battle for troops. The sub-zero temperatures also create technical difficulties, such as the freezing of tank barrels, malfunctioning of equipment, and the degradation of ammunition.
As outlined in India’s official history of the 1962 Sino-Indian conflict, “the first problem faced by a soldier in Ladakh is survival; fighting the enemy comes next.” This grim reminder still holds true for today’s soldiers. Besides combat readiness, survival in these conditions demands meticulous logistical planning and efficient transportation of essential supplies.
To meet these logistical challenges, the Indian Army is now turning to a novel solution: co-opting civil helicopters to maintain supply lines, thereby preserving its own military helicopter fleet for more critical combat roles.
One of the most significant shifts in India’s approach to sustaining its forward bases is the decision to contract civil helicopters to transport supplies to remote military posts. In an unprecedented move, the Army has opted to engage public and private helicopter services, such as those provided by Pawan Hans, for a one-year contract aimed at supporting posts in Ladakh, Jammu, and Kashmir. The contract covers 44 posts, including 16 remote posts in the Jammu region and 28 in Kashmir and Ladakh.
The helicopters will ferry food, fuel, medical supplies, and other essential items to ensure that the posts remain fully operational throughout the winter. These high-altitude regions become largely inaccessible by road once the snow sets in, cutting off conventional supply routes. The use of civil helicopters is expected to alleviate some of the logistical burdens on the Army, allowing military helicopters to focus on combat and emergency roles.
“The move is not only cost-effective but also strategically sound,” said an Indian Army official. “It preserves the service life of military helicopters, which are crucial in combat scenarios. By leveraging civilian aviation for logistics, we can maintain readiness for any potential conflict or emergency situation that may arise.”
The Indian Army’s reliance on civil aviation is just one component of a broader strategic shift in its military posturing. Since 2022, the operational focus of several divisions has moved from the western front, traditionally centered around Pakistan, to the eastern front with China. Six divisions have been reassigned to the Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh sectors, reflecting India’s growing concern over China’s military build-up along the LAC.
In addition to reassigning troops, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has been quietly upgrading its infrastructure across 20 airbases along the eastern border. This includes the construction of hardened aircraft shelters, munition centers, and additional runways to accommodate both increased civilian traffic and military operations. For instance, a second runway is currently under construction at the strategic Leh airbase in Ladakh, a site of heightened military activity since the Galwan clashes. This airbase serves as a crucial hub for operations along the LAC and the Siachen Glacier, another contested area in the region.
On the other side of the border, China has been relentlessly expanding its military infrastructure. Satellite imagery reveals significant upgrades to the PLA’s capabilities, particularly in the western sector near Ladakh. New airbases, missile sites, reinforced bunkers, and underground facilities have been constructed, alongside accommodations for troops and ammunition depots.
One of the most concerning developments is the near-completion of a bridge over Pangong Tso, a strategic lake in Ladakh that has been a flashpoint for India-China tensions since 2017. Two-thirds of the lake falls under Chinese control, and the new bridge would enable China to rapidly move troops and military equipment across the region in the event of a conflict. China has also established a division-level headquarters and garrison in the area, further entrenching its presence along the LAC.
Adding to the urgency of India’s defense posture is the deployment of China’s fifth-generation Chengdu J-20 Mighty Dragon fighter jets at the Shigatse Air Base, located near the LAC. This indicates China’s readiness for rapid aerial deployments in the region, escalating the arms race along the contested border.
While the Indian Army’s decision to use civil helicopters for logistics is primarily a cost-saving measure, it also serves as an experiment to determine whether civilian aviation infrastructure can be co-opted for military use during conflicts. The model, if successful, could be expanded to other strategic regions, including Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and the northeastern states.
The Army’s strategy also aims to boost local economies. By increasing civilian air traffic to remote border regions, the Army hopes to facilitate tourism, providing an economic lifeline to these isolated areas.
In parallel, the Indian Air Force’s infrastructure upgrades signal a clear intent to stay prepared for any eventuality. The construction of additional runways and hardened shelters indicates that India is aware of the potential for a protracted conflict with China and is preparing for the possibility that key airbases could be targeted in a future war.
As the Indian Army prepares for its fifth consecutive winter along the LAC, the long-term implications of the standoff with China are becoming increasingly clear. Both nations have dug in their heels, refusing to back down from their territorial claims, while continuing to build up their military capabilities along the border. The protracted deployment of troops has not only strained military resources but also highlighted the changing nature of India’s military strategy, which is increasingly focused on China.
The use of civil helicopters to maintain supply lines is a practical response to the immediate challenges of high-altitude warfare. However, it also represents a broader shift in how India plans to integrate civilian and military resources in the face of future conflicts. As tensions with China show no signs of abating, India’s military is adapting to ensure that it remains prepared for both the challenges of winter and the looming threat of conflict along its northern borders.
The winter deployment along the LAC will continue to test the endurance and readiness of Indian troops, but with new logistical strategies and infrastructure upgrades in place, India is signaling its determination to defend its sovereignty in the face of growing Chinese aggression.
