NEW DELHI, June 6 (UPI) -- In a cautious policy toward its giant competitor to the east, India is increasing its border presence along its demarcation line with China.
Deployed systems include unmanned aerial vehicles and helicopters.
The military infrastructure development project on India's northeastern border was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security for the Eastern Army Command, The Times of India reported Monday.
An Indian Ministry of Defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, "(Russian made) Sukhoi-30MKI fighters are already being based in (Indian air force) airbases like Tezpur and Chabua. Army Aviation bases in Assam are also now being upgraded, with seven helicopters and four Israeli Searcher-II UAVs already been deployed there."
The construction of more than 5,500 "permanent defenses and bunkers" along the Indo-Chinese border is being accelerated to ensure their completion is finished within the four to five years.
As the contested frontier area is mountainous, the Indian army is pressing for a mountain strike corps after having raised two new mountain infantry divisions.
