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On display at the lawns of the Parliament's Library Building-- as part of the three-day long exclusive exhibition for the lawmakers, is the massive ARJUN main battle tank (MBT), developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the Indian Army to fight adversaries along our Western border areas especially the plain and desert areas of Punjab and further South. 
 However the reality is a bit bitter. Facing serious issues of weight, unfortunately the <keyword id="183999" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Arjun-tank">ARJUN tank</keyword> remains largely unsuitable for being operated on border areas except for small stretches in the Barmer-Jaisalmer area. 
 While the battle tank’s first variant ARJUN MkI weighed 62 tonnes (and this is the one on display), the second one – or the so called next gen, ARJUN MkII weighs even more at around 68 tonnes. As none of the bridges close to border areas can carry anything more than 60 tons, the usage of <keyword id="3542293" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="arjun-mbt">ARJUN MBT</keyword> to reach the border areas to fight wars remains a big question mark. 
 
So effectively, the weight of the tank prohibits its use along most of the b0rder areas. Interestingly, a senior defence ministry official sarcastically but rightly commented, “If this tank can’t cross bridges and kill enemies on the border, who is it than aiming at?...Pakistan or the Parliament?” 
 
Taking note of this deficiency, defence minister Manohar Parrikar has already ordered a study (involving all the stakeholders) to bring down the weight of this tank to 55 tonnes. According to defence ministry sources, Parrikar has openly expressed his unhappiness on the issues crippling the ARJUN MBT. 
 
While weight is a major issue, other deficiencies of MBT Arjun includes its indigenisation content and also availability of ammunition that remains miniscule. Most of the ammunition that this MBT should fire is unavailable. 
 
Also while Parrikar is pushing the Make in India program very hard, it is unfortunate that the Arjun MkI has less than 30% of indigenisation content. In ARJUN MkII, instead of the import content going done, it has only gone up, reveal officials. Weight too has gone up to 68 tonnes, a folly DRDO has accepted during an interaction with reporters on the sidelines of the 9th Defence Expo in Goa this March. 
 
Dr S Christopher DG, DRDO gracefully accepts that the weight of Arjun is on the higher side. "Army says there are bridges where MkII might find it difficult (to move). This is the reason why we have developed the other bridge and made our tank go over it again and again when displayed at DefExpo. We are trying to tell the army that even if we may not be able to use it as it is everywhere, there definitely can be places where it can be used," Christopher was quoted in a news report in its online edition dated March 29. 
 
The report further noted that the history of indigenous tank building has been an acrimonious affair with the army and DRDO having bitter differences over the road ahead. While the army relies largely on the Russian-made T72 and T90 tanks, the DRDO believes it isn't being a fair opportunity to develop its product. After a protracted struggle, 124 MkI ARJUN tanks were commissioned into the army. 
 
Time For Some Reality Check: So while we are proud of various inventions by DRDO, BrahMos missile (jointly made with L&amp;T) being one, issues surrounding the ARJUN MBT are serious as a huge amount of public funds have gone into it. So our suggestion to DRDO is to look at reducing the weight of this tank that has been designed to fight wars on the borders and not just be stationed on the beautiful lawns amidst the kota stoned walls of the Parliament. 
 
This DRDO exhibition, being held at the Parliament Library Building, will display numerous state-of-the-art defence technologies, products and systems developed by various DRDO laboratories indigenously, which includes the BrahMos missile, the ‘Arjun’ main battle tank, AEW&amp;C (Airborne Early Warning and Control System), Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher ‘Pinaka’, Remotely operated vehicle, NBC Recce Vehicle, Wheeled Armoured Platform (WHAP), Laser Ordnance Disposal System (LORDS), Varunastra Torpedo, Mobile Automatic Robotic System (MARS), Various type of Radars and other products. The Speaker of Lok Sabha Smt Sumitra Mahajan will inaugurate the three-day long exhibition on the 3rd of August at 1000hrs. 
 
Through this exclusive exhibition, the Members of Parliament from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are expected to visit the exhibition to get a first-hand account of huge work undertaken by DRDO and their successful implementation. 
 
During the exhibition, DRDO will also organise a virtual reality display of Arjun Main Battle Tank, BrahMos Missile, AEW&amp;C (Airborne Early Warning and Control System) &amp; LCA-Tejas. 
 
<a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c0/Arjun_Tank.jpg">Image source</a>

Who is 'ARJUN' -- the overweight battle tank on display in Parliament, aiming at?

<keyword id="18941" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Divya-Dutta">Divya Dutta</keyword> is a name that guarantees influential screen presence. Whether she does a major role like she had in the last year’s <keyword id="127336" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bhaag-Milkha-Bhaag">Bhaag Milkha Bhaag</keyword>, or a smaller role like the one she did in <keyword id="836746" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Lootera">Lootera</keyword>, she always win hearts and gets applauded. 
 
Today, as she turns 37, we took a look at the journey of this beautiful and talented actress, and see what we’ve found: 15 facts about Divya Dutta. 
 
1. Divya was single-handedly raised by her mother after the unfortunate death of her father. She was only 7 at that time. 
 
2. Divya has bitter memories of the 1984 riots as she was in Punjab during the insurgency. In one of her interviews for the 2013 film Gippi, she recalled those times when she hid behind her mother's dupatta while praying for her safety. 
 
3. Before coming to Mumbai to follow her dreams, Divya tried her hands at modeling for regional television commercials in Punjab. 
 
4. Divya made her debut with the 1994 movie Ishq Mein Jeena Ishq Mein Marna. She was only 17 at that time. 
 
5. Her first major break was Veergati, a movie where she played the role of Salman Khan’s sister Sandhya. 
 
6. Although she is a Punjabi, her Punjabi cinema debut came years after her first Hindi movie. She played the lead role of Zainab in Shaheed-e-Mohabbat Boota Singh and her performance was well-received by audience and critics alike. 
 
7. Other than Hindi and Punjabi movies, she has also done a Nepali movie called Basanti and a Malayalam movie called Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. 
 
8. Divya dubbed for Lisa Ray in 2001 movie Kasoor as Ray was not comfortable with Hindi then. 
 
9. She has played important roles in television serials like Shanno Ki Shaadi, Kadam, and Samvidhaan. 
 
10. She has done various ads for prestigious brands like Aashirwad, Dabur, ICICI, Lehar, Sun Feast, and Vasmol. 
 
11. She also works as an anchor and in the past, has anchored several shows like Arey Deewano Mujhe Pehchano, Awaz Punjab Di, Cine Satrangi, and Hum Tum Ek Camare Me Band Hon. 
 
12. Her debut international film was The Last Lear in which she played the role of Ivy, a nurse. The movie also starred Amitabh Bachchan, Arjun Rampal, and Preity Zinta. 
 
13. She was briefly engaged to Sandeep Shergill, a Lieutenant Commander in Indian Army, but her engagement didn’t last long. 
 
14. For the role of Zaara’s maid and confidante Shabbo in the 2004 movie <keyword id="495554" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Veer-Zaara">Veer Zaara</keyword>, she won the Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Female and GIFA Best Supporting Actress Award. This role is considered as her breakthrough in mainline cinema. 
 
15. For the role of Milkha Singh’s sister Ishrat Kaur in the 2013 movie Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, she won Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Female, IIFA Award for Best Supporting Actress, and Apsara Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. 
 
We wish the talented actress a very happy birthday and a long and healthy life. 
 
Image courtesy Indiatimes

Divya Dutta Trivia: 15 Interesting Lesser-known Facts About Her

<ul class="summary-list"><li>India is trying to modernize its military of 1.5 million people with lessons from Ukraine.</li><li>Until recent years, Russia supplied India with many weapons such as tanks and jets.</li></ul>As India boosts defense spending amid tensions with China and Pakistan, it is closely studying the Ukraine conflict for clues to the future of warfare and how to thwart its neighbors.Some lessons that Indian experts have already drawn: India needs lots of artillery, drones and cyberwarfare capabilities.Comparing Ukraine to India is tricky. Ukraine faces one major enemy — Russia — while India must contend with its old enemy Pakistan to the west, and an increasingly powerful China on its northwest frontier. The Russo-Ukraine war is mostly being fought over an Eastern European landscape of plains and forest, with a moderately good road network suitable for mechanized warfare. India must prepare for combat in a variety of terrain and climate conditions, including desert, jungle and some of the tallest mountains on Earth.India is also trying to modernize and standardize equipment for its armed forces, which comprise about 1.5 million personnel armed with a potpourri of equipment from several nations, as well as indigenous Indian gear. Until recent years, Russia supplied many weapons such as tanks and jets, but India is increasingly acquiring arms from Western nations, including American howitzers, French jet fighters, and Israeli drones.The Indian Army's artillery, for example, includes more than 3,000 weapons and multiple rocket launchers, including Russian, American, Swedish and South Korean designs. Indian observers believe Ukraine shows the importance of having plentiful and modern artillery. Artillery has arguably become the decisive combat arm in that war, with Russian firing <a target="_blank" href="https://www.politico.eu/article/ukrainian-army-suffers-from-artillery-shell-hunger/">10,000 shells per day</a> and advancing, while a munitions shortage has limited Ukraine to around 2,000 shells per day. This deluge of firepower has forced both armies to dig in, and turned the conflict into trench warfare."Looking at the demonstration of artillery fire in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, two lessons are available to the Indian Army," wrote Amrita Jash, an assistant professor at the Manipal Academy of Higher Education, in a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.orfonline.org/public/uploads/upload/20240118114645.pdf">report</a> for the Observer Research Foundation, an Indian think tank. "First, that firepower can be a 'battle-winning factor,' and second, that the time between acquiring the target to shooting has drastically reduced: where it once took five to 10 minutes, it now takes only a minute or two."Indeed, India already planning to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/army-draws-lessons-from-ukraine-war-revises-its-artillery-requirements/article67315823.ece">modernize</a> its artillery arsenal, including switching to 155-mm howitzers — the standard NATO caliber — and developing longer-range shells and rockets.<div type="image" title="Ukrainian servicemen fire an artillery in the direction of Siversk, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine on April 01, 2024." height="3000" width="4500" msid="109704222" hostid="261" sizebytes="757078"></div>The air war over Ukraine has proven to be a surprise, especially given Russian superiority in numbers of aircraft and technology. Anti-aircraft missiles have deterred the air forces of both sides from venturing into enemy airspace, with Russian aircraft limited to firing stand-off missiles at Ukrainian cities rather than providing air support for its ground troops. <a target="_blank">Drones</a> have become the stars and workhorses of the air war, with both sides deploying — and losing — drones in the hundreds of thousands.There are lessons here for Indian airpower, according to Arjun Subramaniam, a retired Indian Air Force air vice marshal who helped write the ORF report. India must prepare for "gaining control of the air in limited time and space conditions in a short, high-intensity limited conflict as well as in a longer, protracted conflict." The Air Force must also ensure that its plans are synchronized with ground and naval forces. India should also continue to focus on suppressing enemy air defenses, "particularly against an adversary that is more interested in denying rather than controlling the airspace."Not surprisingly, Subramaniam wants the Indian military to increase drone development and production. But he is also concerned about the possibility of a mass drone attack on India. "Of greater importance is the need to rapidly develop counter-drone capabilities that would be essential in responding to large-scale surprise attacks and retain effective second-strike capabilities," he wrote.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.economist.com/europe/2024/03/20/the-cyberwar-in-ukraine-is-as-crucial-as-the-battle-in-the-trenches">Cyberwarfare</a> has also emerged in Ukraine as a crucial tool in everything from hacking into military computers and critical infrastructure to purveying propaganda and deepfakes in global media. ORF researcher Shimona Mohan noted "the increasing role of largely civilian organizations like big tech in conflict situations and the deepening interplay of civil-military partnerships around dual-use technologies like AI."Mohan recommends that India invest in cyberwarfare, as other nations are doing. "However, if this is not feasible for socio-political or economic reasons, it should be a priority for countries to ensure that their strategic geopolitical allies are formidable tech powers—for instance in this war, Ukraine received much support from its more tech-savvy partners like the US and private tech companies."Michael Peck is a defense writer whose work has appeared in Forbes, Defense News, Foreign Policy magazine, and other publications. He holds an MA in political science from Rutgers Univ. Follow him on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.twitter.com/@mipeck1">Twitter</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mipeck/">LinkedIn</a>.

India is drawing lessons from Ukraine to counter China's military might 

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Three years after a deadly clash, India and China's disputed border in the Himalayas remains tense.</li><li>Both sides are beefing up their presence there, basing more troops and building more infrastructure.</li></ul>Three years after the first deadly clash on India's and China's disputed Himalayan border in decades, the region <a href="https://www.usip.org/publications/2023/05/why-we-should-all-worry-about-china-india-border-dispute" target="_blank" rel="noopener">remains tense</a>.Repeated rounds of talks over disengagement <a href="https://thewire.in/diplomacy/no-progress-on-resolving-chinese-border-ingress-in-ladakh-in-18th-round-of-military-talks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">have failed</a>, and Chinese and Indian soldiers were wounded in another <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/india/india-china-border-scuffle-injured-troops-both-sides-indian-defence-minister-2022-12-13/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">brawl</a> in December. Both countries continue <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/both-china-india-ramp-up-infrastructure-on-north-bank-of-pangong-tso/article67034490.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener">to build up</a> military forces and infrastructure around hotspots on the border.An important part of that buildup has been China's deployment of light tanks, which can maneuver well on mountainous terrain and deploy quickly in large numbers. Their presence has exposed shortcomings in the Indian military's armored inventory, which relies heavily on main battle tanks that struggle in high altitudes.Consequently, India is planning to developing its own light tank to level the playing field.<h2>Light tanks</h2><div type="image" title="Army M24 Chaffee light tank Bologna Italy" height="1367" width="1823" msid="101441088" hostid="261" sizebytes="201378"></div>Light tanks are intended to provide direct support to infantry against enemy positions and light armored vehicles rather than square off against enemy tanks on their own. Their design puts an emphasis on speed and maneuverability at the cost of armor and firepower.Interest in light tanks is growing and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amid-armor-battles-in-ukraine-militaries-building-new-light-tanks-2023-3" target="_top">isn't limited to India and China</a> — the US and Japan are also reinvesting in the concept — but China's and India's need is especially pronounced, as the terrain separating them is particularly difficult for main battle tanks.This was <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-india-tanks-armor-could-make-future-war-much-deadlier-2021-5" target="_top">proved</a> in 2020 and 2021, when, as a result of a deadly border clash in Ladakh that killed 20 Indian soldiers and at least four Chinese soldiers, both countries deployed armored units to parts of the Himalayas with altitudes of 11,000 feet and higher.The low air pressure at those altitudes hindered the performance of tank engines, and freezing temperatures forced soldiers to turn their armored vehicles on for up to 30 minutes every two or three hours to prevent engine components from freezing. Heavier vehicles also had trouble with the terrain.Despite the difficulties for armored vehicles, neither side is willing to deploy troops to the area without them, largely because of the important role tanks still play on the battlefield.<h2>The Type 15</h2><div type="image" title="China Type 15 tank" height="1336" width="2000" msid="101441091" hostid="261" sizebytes="107876"></div>China has coped with these issues by deploying its <a href="https://www.armyrecognition.com/china_chinese_heavy_armoured_vehicle_tank_uk/vt5_light_weight_main_battle_tank_technical_data_sheet_specifications_pictures_video_11711164.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Type 15</a> light tank, one of the few modern light tanks produced in the 21st century.Unveiled <a href="https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2016-11/03/content_27259981.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">in 2016</a>, the Type 15 — also known as the ZTQ-15 — is billed as a lighter, cheaper alternative to heavier, more complex tanks produced by Russia or Western countries. Weighing in at 33 tons to 36 tons, depending on its load, the Type 15 is considerably lighter than China's 41-ton <a href="https://www.militarytoday.com/tanks/type_96.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Type 96</a> tank and 55-ton <a href="https://www.armyrecognition.com/china_chinese_heavy_armoured_vehicle_tank_uk/ztz99_type_99_wz123_main_battle_tank_technical_data_sheet_information_description_intelligence_uk.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Type 99</a> tank and less than half as heavy as recent versions of the US-made M1 Abrams.The Type 15 reportedly entered service in 2018, though it first appeared publicly as an <a href="https://www.armyrecognition.com/september_2019_global_defense_security_army_news_industry/new_light_tank_type_15_at_rehearsal_of_chinese_military_parade.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">in-service</a> tank in 2020 during the military parade for the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. China's military is believed to have about 500 in service.<div type="image" title="China Type 15 tank" height="1333" width="2000" msid="101441093" hostid="261" sizebytes="194556"></div>Its 105 mm rifled gun is equipped with an autoloader and it has an ammo capacity of 38 rounds. Its secondary armament comprises a remotely operated 12.7 mm heavy machine gun and 40 mm automatic grenade launcher. It has a top speed of 43 mph on paved roads and 25 mph off-road.The tank is made of standard steel but is fitted with explosive reactive armor blocks on its turret and sides. It can also <a href="https://thediplomat.com/2019/08/chinas-vt5-lightweight-tank-to-be-fitted-with-active-protection-system/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">be equipped</a> with a Chinese-made active protection system.The Type 15 is equipped with a suite of modern electronics, including a laser range finder, nighttime and thermal optics, a warning sensor system, satellite communications, and inertial and satellite navigation systems.In addition to its weight, the Type 15 has other features that make it suitable for mountainous operations. Its hydro-pneumatic suspension allows it to aim its gun higher or lower than standard tanks, which is useful for targets at high elevations. It also has oxygen generators, which help the engine run at high altitudes.<h2>Project Zorawar</h2><div type="image" title="India Arjuna main battle tank" height="1333" width="1777" msid="101441094" hostid="261" sizebytes="382618"></div>India's army hasn't had a light tank in service since its Soviet-designed PT-76 was retired in 1989.Instead, it relies almost exclusively on its heavily armored <a href="https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/meet-indias-t-90m-bhishma-tank-russian-tech-indian-made-136987" target="_blank" rel="noopener">T-90</a> and <a href="https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/t-72.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">T-72</a> tanks, which weigh 43 tons and 46 tons, respectively, and its <a href="https://www.army-technology.com/projects/arjun-mbt/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Arjun series</a> main battle tanks, which weigh between 58 tons and 68 tons. Those tanks were acquired with Pakistan in mind, and they are better suited for open plains and deserts.India has tried on and off since 1983 to develop a new light tank but has never settled on a model. The Ladakh clash in 2020 — followed by a Chinese military buildup in which the Type 15 operated with comparative ease — prompted new action to acquire a light tank. (One retired Indian general even <a href="https://raksha-anirveda.com/light-tanks-the-himalayan-game-changer/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">argued</a> that a lack of light tanks hindered India's ability to deter Chinese aggression in the first place.)In 2021, the Indian Ministry of Defense <a href="https://www.ddpmod.gov.in/sites/default/files/RFI-Lt%20Tk%2016%20Apr%20%2021%20%28Final%29%20%281%29_0.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">requested information</a> from industry about the production of 350 light tanks, each weighing no more than 25 tons and crewed by two to three people. Additional requirements included an autoloader, a remote-controlled machine-gun, the ability to fire "smart munitions" and anti-tank guided missiles, and the ability to add explosive-reactive-armor blocks.<div type="image" title="India army convoy Kashmir Ladakh" height="1710" width="2500" msid="101441098" hostid="261" sizebytes="699856"></div>Initially, there was speculation that India might buy the <a href="https://www.armyrecognition.com/russia_russian_army_light_armoured_vehicle_uk/2s25_sprut-sd_self-propelled_anti-tank_gun_technical_data_sheet_specifications_description_uk.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2S25 Sprut-SD</a> from Russia, which has <a href="https://www.financialexpress.com/business/defence-light-tank-tender-russians-ready-to-respond-to-indian-army-tender-2987880/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">repeatedly offered</a> to transfer the technology needed to build it. But the Indian government has indicated that it wants a domestic design, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Make in India" policy.Late last year, India's Ministry of Defense approved the purchase of 315 tanks, which will compose seven regiments. Indian media has <a href="https://www.firstpost.com/india/indian-army-concerned-over-chinese-moves-at-lac-may-induct-700-zorawar-light-tanks-12431122.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> that India's army may increase the order to nearly 700 tanks.Indian multinational firm Larsen &amp; Toubro <a href="https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/indias-zorawar-programme-inches-forward" target="_blank" rel="noopener">was announced</a> as the government's development partner in September, and the company was <a href="https://www.ajaishukla.com/2023/04/l-gets-order-to-build-prototype-of.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">awarded</a> the contract for the first prototype in April. It will feature an 800-horsepower engine made by a German subsidiary of Rolls Royce and a 105 mm gun turret made by a Belgian firm.Indian officials have <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/drdo-light-tank-zorawar-to-be-ready-for-trials-by-year-end-along-china-border/articleshow/100356991.cms?from=mdr" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> that the first tanks will be ready for trial testing by the end of this year and that the initial order will number 59 units.In what may be a reflection of the opponent the Indian army has in mind for its new light tank, the effort has been called "Project Zorawar," in reference to Zorawar Singh, a general who conquered Ladakh from Chinese rulers in the early 19th century.

India and China are buying new tanks designed to fight on one of the world's highest battlefields

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="3658" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="India">India</keyword> and <keyword id="1334" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="China">China</keyword> have both invested in their armored forces since the 1962 war on their disputed border in the <keyword id="52569" type="CITY" weightage="60" keywordseo="himalayas">Himalayas</keyword>.</li><li>The armor that both sides fielded during another recent period of heightened tension on that border show that a future war could be more destructive.</li></ul>Two months ago, the Indian and Chinese militaries <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-56147309" target="_top">pulled back</a> their forces stationed around Pangong Lake, on their disputed border in the western Himalaya mountains.The pullback, described as a "disengagement" by India's Defense Ministry, was meant to be a first step to ease tensions on the disputed border - <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/satellite-photos-show-border-buildup-after-deadly-china-india-clash-2020-6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">swaths of which have been heavily militarized</a> since 20 Indian and at least <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-acknowledges-deaths-in-indian-border-clash-for-first-time-2021-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">four Chinese soldiers died</a> in a medieval-style brawl in the nearby Galwan River Valley almost a year ago.<div type="image" title="India China troops soldiers Pangong Ladakh border" height="720" width="960" msid="82407120" hostid="261"></div>The Indian Army <a href="https://twitter.com/ShivAroor/status/1361600793678241794" target="_top">released</a> photos, videos, and <a href="https://twitter.com/ShivAroor/status/1362660165208530945" target="_top">aerial images</a> of the pullback, showing Chinese troops dismantling bunkers, removing tents, and evacuating the area.The most interesting images, though, were the ones that showed the large number of <keyword id="71883" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Tanks">tanks</keyword> and <keyword id="3160282" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="armored-vehicles">armored vehicles</keyword>. Indian media <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/china-surprises-india-with-pace-of-withdrawal-pulls-out-200-tanks-in-2-days-101613088444899.html" target="_top">reported</a> that China alone withdrew 200 tanks from the area.The <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amid-border-dispute-tensions-how-china-and-india-militaries-compare-2020-6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sheer sizes of the armored forces indicates</a> that both sides were quite serious about their military buildups, and that the next violent incident on the border <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/india-general-warns-china-border-dispute-could-escalate-to-war-2020-11" target="_blank" rel="noopener">could escalate into something far more deadly</a>.<h2>Armor in the Himalayas</h2><div type="image" title="Indian military trucks in Ladakh" height="1333" width="2000" msid="82407121" hostid="261"></div>In general, large-scale armor deployments in mountainous and high-altitude regions are rare, especially in the Himalayas.The low air pressure, freezing conditions, and rough terrain make operating and maintaining such vehicles difficult and often lead to losses from wear and tear or mechanical failure.Tanks and armored vehicles have to be restarted for up to 30 minutes every two or three hours to prevent them from freezing, <a href="https://thewire.in/security/india-china-pullback-pangong-tso-winter" target="_top">according to one retired Indian general</a>.That operational challenge is believed to have been a significant factor in both countries' decisions to pull back their armor from Pangong Tso.<div type="image" title="India China troops soldiers Pangong Ladakh border" height="1333" width="2000" msid="82407122" hostid="261"></div>"These operational issues simply cannot be ignored either by Beijing or Delhi for a variety of operational reasons that are common to both forces," a high-ranking Indian Army officer <a href="https://thewire.in/security/india-china-pullback-pangong-tso-winter" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told The Wire</a>.That is also the reason armor - and aircraft, for that matter - played a very limited role in the <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Lessons_of_History_The_Chinese_Peopl/BLUtKP-JpgsC?hl=en&amp;gbpv=0pv=0" target="_top">month-long war</a> India and China fought in the region in 1962. During that war, India <a href="https://swarajyamag.com/defence/when-india-airlifted-tanks-to-ladakh-to-halt-the-invading-chinese-army" target="_top">airlifted</a> six AMX-13 light tanks to an area just south of Pangong Tso, but the feat was extremely difficult, and there were no large-scale tank battles.The 1962 war itself was an embarrassment for India, which had over 8,000 soldiers killed, wounded, captured, or missing and lost the territory Aksai Chin to China. China lost 722 soldiers killed and 1,697 wounded.<h2>Modern tank forces</h2><div type="image" title="India army Arjun tank beach Chennai" height="1333" width="2000" msid="82407123" hostid="261"></div>Both India and China set about building up their militaries after the 1962 war.Today, India's tank force is made up primarily of three models. Two of them, the <a href="https://guardingindia.com/china/exclusive-why-are-the-indian-army-trusting-t-72-ajeya-tanks-for-lac/" target="_top">T-72 "Ajeya"</a> and <a href="https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/meet-indias-t-90m-bhishma-tank-russian-tech-indian-made-136987" target="_top">T-90 "Bhishma"</a> main battle tanks (MBTs), are built in India using Russian designs. The third, the <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-what-is-the-arjun-main-battle-tank-mk-1a-7188226/" target="_top">Arjun</a>, is of Indian design.The Russian tanks, designed to operate in the cold, make up most of India's fleet of about 4,000 tanks. The Arjun has had a <a href="https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/why-indias-army-hates-its-homemade-arjun-tank-119911" target="_top">troubled rollout</a>, and only 124 are in service.China's People's Liberation Army, or PLA, maintains a large number of legacy models from the Cold War, like the Type 59, Type 69, and Type 80/88 tanks, but China's tank force is centered on three modern models: the <a href="https://21stcenturyasianarmsrace.com/2017/12/20/the-pla-loves-its-thousands-of-type-96-tanks/" target="_top">Type 96</a> and <a href="http://www.military-today.com/tanks/type_99.htm" target="_top">Type 99</a> MBTs, and the new <a href="http://www.military-today.com/tanks/ztq_15.htm" target="_top">Type 15</a>.While the Type 96 and Type 99 are MBTs, the Type 15 is one of the few light tanks developed this century.<div type="image" title="China army type 99 tank Army Games Russia" height="1334" width="2000" msid="82407126" hostid="261"></div>The Type 96 and Type 99 weigh about 42 tons and 54 tons, respectively, and are armed with 125 mm guns, whereas the Type 15 weighs just 35 tons and has a 105 mm gun.By comparison, India's T-72, T-90, and Arjun tanks weigh about 41 tons, 46 tons, and 68 tons, respectively. The T-72 and T-90 are armed with 125 mm guns and the Arjun with a 120 mm.Despite being smaller and under-gunned, the Type 15 is far more capable in the mountainous terrain of the Himalayas than its Indian counterparts.The Type 15 is just one of the PLA's <a href="https://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1190083.shtml" target="_top">numerous new weapon systems</a> designed with mountain operations in mind, and China has <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93-FeziqiLA" target="_top">shown </a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93-FeziqiLA" target="_top">it</a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93-FeziqiLA" target="_top"> off in a number of live-fire drills</a> in Tibet.Both the PLA's Xinjiang and Tibet military commands have <a href="https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202102/1214633.shtml" target="_top">received</a> Type 15s. They have also been deployed to the Sino-Indian border, <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-india-deploys-t-72-t-90-tanks-infantry-combat-vehicles-along-lac-in-eastern-ladakh-2845676" target="_top">as have</a> India's T-72 and T-90s.<h2>At the 'roof of the world'</h2><div type="image" title="India China tanks armor Pangong Ladakh border" height="1332" width="2000" msid="82407127" hostid="261"></div>The <a href="https://twitter.com/ShivAroor/status/1361600793678241794" target="_top">images</a> and a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iF9ZfCggVOM" target="_top">video</a> released by the Indian military appear to indicate that the pullout around Pangong Tso was a coordinated event in which tanks were purposely shown to withdraw one at a time.Indian T-72 and BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShivAroor/status/1361614678284140544/photo/1" target="_top">can be seen</a> on the Indian side of the border, as can a number of small fighting positions and foxholes.The Chinese armored force that can be seen is more diverse. A few of the tanks <a href="https://twitter.com/PBNS_India/status/1361612912062730243/photo/2" target="_top">appear</a> to be legacy models, likely Type 80/88s. There <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/dh-galleries/photos/in-pics-indian-chinese-troops-disengage-from-pangong-lake-951782#5" target="_top">also appear</a> to be several modern models, most likely Type 96s or Type 99As.<a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/dh-galleries/photos/in-pics-indian-chinese-troops-disengage-from-pangong-lake-951782#6" target="_top">Another image</a> shows at least 12 Chinese <a href="https://www.armyrecognition.com/china_chinese_light_armored_armoured_vehicle_uk/zbd-04_zbd97_armoured_infantry_fighting_vehicle_technical_data_sheet_specifications_information_uk.html" target="_top">ZBD-04 IFVs</a> and three other armored vehicles, possibly tracked variants of the <a href="http://www.military-today.com/missiles/hq_17.htm" target="_top">HQ-17</a> short-range surface-to-air-missile system, <a href="https://www.armyrecognition.com/china_artillery_vehicles_and_weapon_systems_uk/pgz-07_twin_35mm_self-propelled_anti-aircraft_gun_data_sheet_specifications_description_pictures.html" target="_top">Type 09</a> self-propelled anti-aircraft artillery units, or a combination of both.It's unclear if the tanks and IFVs were always deployed so close to one another or if they were only brought forward for verification during the disengagement.What is clear is that both sides are far more mechanized, capable, and lethal than they were in 1962.The pullback from Pangong Tso has not been followed by additional pullbacks in other contested areas, as was originally hoped. Recent reporting <a href="https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3131031/china-india-border-dispute-was-new-delhis-pull-out-pangong-tso" target="_top">suggests</a> some Indian officials may regret pulling back from a strategically important area with little to show for it.Despite the difficult conditions in a region known as the "roof of the world," flare ups along the border are still a <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-55793112" target="_top">real possibility</a>.With so much heavy hardware present, future fighting in the area could be much deadlier than before.

Photos of tanks and armored vehicles in the Himalayas show that China and India's next border showdown could be much deadlier

<ul><li>The recently-released biopic based on the life of Captain Vikram Batra (PVC) is also the most popular Hindi film on IMDb with a rating of 8.9.</li><li>The film continues to make waves nationally and internationally with subscribers from 4100 Indian towns and cities as well as 210 countries and territories having streamed the title.</li></ul><keyword id="11989295" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="amazon-original-movie-shershaah" source="Orion">Amazon Original Movie Shershaah</keyword> has been lauded by customers and critics alike since its release and continues to win hearts all over India and across the world. The war drama, based on the life of Captain Vikram Batra (PVC), has in its opening fortnight scaled the very pinnacle of success, emerging as the most watched movie on <keyword id="2976376" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="amazon-prime-video" source="Orion">Amazon Prime Video</keyword> in India. Furthermore, in its first two weeks, the <keyword id="7589975" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Shershaah" source="Orion">Shershaah</keyword> has been streamed by audiences in over 4100 Indian towns and cities, as well as in 210 countries and territories around the world. No other Indian movie on Amazon Prime Video has been watched in more towns and cities across India and countries and territories worldwide within this time frame. Finally, with a user rating of 8.9 voted by more than 88,000 IMDb users, Shershaah also set a new benchmark as the most popular Hindi film of all times on IMDb. “We have always believed in content being paramount and seeing Shershaah’s resounding success further strengthens what we, as a service, have set out to do,” Vijay Subramaniam, Director and Head, Content, Amazon Prime Video, India said. “It was important for us to bring the inspiring story of brave heart Captain Vikram Batra and the Indian army during the Kargil war to audiences far and wide. The movie is a tribute to these sons and daughters of the soil for whom nothing matters more than the love for the country. Shershaah is a very special film and we are absolutely delighted to see it receive such an unprecedented amount of love and success from all corners.” Producer Karan Johar said, “Shershaah has always been a film close to our hearts, and seeing the love and appreciation the film has received makes me feel incredibly proud about the movie and each and every one associated with it. PVC awardee Captain Vikram Batra’s story is one that no Indian shall ever forget, that said, what we intended to do was to tell the story of what made him the brave heart he was, to look deeper into his life, his passion and his love for the country and Dimple. It fills me with pride to see the love Sidharth and Kiara’s performances and Vishnu’s directorial vision has received. I’m glad that we found the right partners for this movie in Amazon Prime Video, who have left no stone unturned and given this movie the reach it deserves.” Speaking of the film’s success, Apoorva Mehta, CEO, <keyword id="62161" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="dharma-productions" source="Orion">Dharma Productions</keyword> said, “From the beginning, we believed that Shershaah as a story had the potential to resonate with audiences from across the world, and the overwhelming response to the movie is testament to the power of good content. It is an incredibly heart touching and inspiring story based on the lives of one of India’s bravest sons, and we are honoured to have had the opportunity to tell his story to the world. It takes a dedicated team to make such a sincere film and I’d like to thank Vishu Vardhan, Sidharth Malhotra, Kiara Advani and the entire cast and crew. We are thrilled to have partnered with Amazon Prime Video for the film’s global premiere as it enabled us to reach out to such a diverse audience and shared our vision and faith in the film and its story.” Directed by Vishnu Varadhan, Shershaah is inspired by the life of Captain Vikram Batra (PVC) and stars Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani in the lead. Alongside Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani in the lead, the film also features Shiv Panditt, Raj Arjun, Pranay Pachauri, Himanshu Ashok Malhotra, Nikitin Dheer, Anil Charanjeett, Sahil Vaid, Shataf Figar and Pawan Chopra in pivotal roles. Jointly produced by Dharma Productions and Kaash Entertainment, Shershaah is streaming exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.

Shershaah is the most watched movie on Amazon Prime Video in India till date

Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh's dreaded gangster <keyword id="89198" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Vikas-Dubey">Vikas Dubey</keyword>, who has had a thing for Bollywood, on Thursday surrendered over a thousand kilometres away from what could be his swan song of a criminal life in the Mahakaal temple premises of Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain as he announced in Sanjay Dutt's "Khalnayak" style: "Mein huin Vikas Dubey, Kanpurwala". Dubey has been on the run for almost a week, ever since the ambush and killing of eight police personnel in Kanpur. As police searched for him in Haryana, Delhi, and kept a close watch on Indo-Nepal border, the Kanpur boy who had launched himself into crime in the 1990s in the image of Sunny Deol's "Arjun Pandit" and loved the sound of being addressed to as "Pandit" in political and police circles, managed to dodge the bullet as he was nabbed in the safe grounds of the temple complex. According to sources, Vikas reached the temple around 8.a.m and then informed the security men about his identity and asked them to inform the police. In a photograph that has gone viral, shows Dubey sitting comfortably on a sofa inside the temple complex. Uttar Pradesh Police officially confirmed the arrest of Vikas Dubey. Madhya Pradesh Home minister Narottam Mishra tried took credit for the gangster's arrest. Speaking to the media minutes after Dubey was whisked away to an unidentified location for medical examination and questioning, Mishra said: "Hamari police kisi ko nahin chhodti. Hamare jaanbaaz police jawanon ne usey dhar dabocha (Our police never lets any criminal go scott free. They have nabbed him)." Mishra said the details of his arrest and related process would be made public by the police later. Mishra said Dubey has been known to be "cruel and crafty" from childhood. The police had to be extra cautious. Mishra said the police was alerted by the intelligence agencies. Video clips released by various channels showed Vikas Dubey being held by the scruff of his collar by the police, shouting, "Haan main Vikas Dubey hoon Kanpur wala (Yes I am the Vikas Dubey from Kanpur)". Everything points to Vikas having travelled all the way from Faridabad to the high security zone of Mahakaal to avoid a death in police encounter. In the secure premises of Mahakaal temple he could avoid extra judicial justice. Two of his alleged gang members were also said to have been arrested. The Madhya Pradesh police has taken the gangster away to the Mahakaal police station and the UP police will now seek transit remand and bring him to Kanpur. The police theory of the arrest, meanwhile, has several loopholes. Temple officials admit on condition of anonymity, that Vikas Dubey disclosed his name at the counter where he was giving money for donation and then asked them to inform the police. Dubey apparently di not use any disguise to evade the police and neither did he have any arms since weapons are prohibited in the temple complex. "This is a pre-planned surrender because it seems too simple to be true. Vikas had successfully eluded the police in three states for one week and it is rather unusual that he would enter a temple without a mask and get arrested. He knew that he would be shot dead if he gave himself up to UP police," said a retired DGP. Another senior police official admitted that the arrest/ surrender seems extremely well planned. "The gangster wanted to surrender in a 'safe state'. He did not go to court because of police presence and, therefore, chose the temple. Unless the police decide to make another mistake, Vikas Dubey will not be harmed physically now," he said. Dubey had been eluding the police since the past one week and though four dozen teams of Special Task Force and state police were chasing him, they could not nab him. Five associates of Vikas Dubey have been shot dead in UP after the killing of eight policemen last week. Two of his associates, Prem Prakash Pandey and Atul Dubey were shot dead on Friday, hours after the massacre. Amar Dubey was shot dead on Wednesday in Hamirpur and Prabhat and Bauan Dubey were shot dead in Kanpur and Etawah respectively on Thursday morning. All of them were reportedly involved in the shootout. Dubey's arrest is a major setback to the UP Special Task Force that failed to nail the gangster. The STF, which had been claiming till late on Wednesday that Dubey was hiding in Delhi-NCR, was blissfully unaware that he had moved across to Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh. There is a distance of 773 kilometres from Faridabad where Dubey was reportedly seen last on Tuesday and Ujjain where he finally 'surrendered'.. The STF which has killed five accomplices of Vikas Dubey in the past seven days, has put out a strikingly similar theory for all the encounters - "we tried to stop them, they opened fire and were killed in retaliatory firing". See Also - <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/checkout-the-list-of-containment-zones-in-kolkata-under-complete-lockdown-from-july-9/articleshow/76868966.cms">These 33 containment zones in Kolkata will be under complete lockdown</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/checkout-the-list-of-89-apps-banned-for-indian-army-soldiers/articleshow/76865942.cms">List of 89 apps banned for Indian Army soldiers</a>

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