Logistics

[shiv]

Another link for future ref
https://books.google.co.in/books?id=IWV ... on&f=false

[wig]

Forces stocking up on winter supplies

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/natio ... ies-108633

In for long haul at LAC, New Delhi working out logistics support for troops deployed

extracts

The window to ferry material by the two road routes — via Manali and Srinagar — will shut due to snow in four months i.e. by October-end.

While Zoji La (11,500 feet) on the Srinagar route may be closed for traffic by October-end or early November, the Rohtang Pass (13,000 feet) on the Manali route may see snow before that, holding back traffic. Other high passes between Rohtang and Leh may also force an early closure.

Once the passes close, the only option is to fly out supplies from the logistics hub in Chandigarh. But even these flights have time restrictions. Planes have to fly out of Leh before noon as a rise in temperature coupled with rarefied oxygen affect engine performance.

Apart from a full-fledged Army division (some 16,000 troops) in Ladakh, two additional divisions have been rushed in since May and these now from an arc across the 826-km LAC there.

The regiments that have moved up can survive on own stocks of rations, etc. for a few weeks. They have tents besides pre-fabricated structures and other accommodations at several locations.

and

Even the cold weather clothing can be transported as required. The troops are deployed at altitudes in excess of 14,000 feet where night temperatures can dip to minus 15°C in October-end.

In New Delhi, the calculations will factor in the number of troops and their needs such as food, special clothing, shoes, etc. A decision will have to be taken by the Army within the next few weeks.

The logistics support will involve procuring supplies and getting these to the troops at their place of deployment. The terrain on the Indian side is such that just to cross over from Leh to the areas of Daulat Beg Oldie, Depsang, Galwan, Pangong Tso, Hot Springs and Tangtse, the supplies will have to be carried either across Khardung La (18,300 feet) or Chang La (17,590 feet).

Adequate number of snow or arctic tents can be provided to troops at higher altitudes.

[ramana]

https://twitter.com/Editor_Orbat/status ... 69216?s=19

[Khalsa]

The 3rd Infantry Div in Leh before 1995 (with 28 de-inducted into the Valley) used to necessitate 3 X IL-76 flights (min) + 5 X An-32 + 2 X An-12s every winter day to keep the souls fed and warm.

Siachen was fed via Thoise airfield and used to suck up an equivalent amount of flights.

Now post Kargil we have corps instead of a div, post COVID we have 3 more Divs in attack position.
Time to dig more tunnels and winterise more parts of the infrastructure.

[ramana]

Folks as a practice let's see what it takes to keep a 155mm battery (8 Guns) supplied per day.
- shells, charges, fuzes, food for the crew for the battery.

[wig]

https://indianexpress.com/article/expla ... h-6618417/

IAF role in Eastern Ladakh -All the air fields have enough stock of fuel, oil, and lubricants (FOL) for which detailed planning is done around the clock.

excerpts

one part of the logistics for the Army requires land transportation, which would have been planned for before winter sets in and the passes close. The IAF will be doing very urgent missions, for which it is well prepared with a very good transport fleet consisting of C-17 Globemasters, Il-76s, and many An-32s. If it comes to the crunch, the C-130 Super Hercules can also be used for logistics support, although these are meant for special operations.

We also have Mi-17 helicopters and Cheetal light helicopters to cater to forward posts. In addition, the Chinook heavy-lift helicopters will be used for carrying bulky stores, either within the fuselage, or slung under it.

excerpts

What are the topographical challenges of flying into Leh or other advanced landing grounds (ALGs) in Eastern Ladakh?
The biggest challenge is the altitude of the two airfields of Leh and Thoise, but since we have been flying there for decades, the air crew are well aware of the peculiarities of these fields.

The landing grounds at high altitude have their own challenges, which result in reduction of load-bearing capacity of the planes/choppers. Additionally, the air crew have to call upon their skills to navigate the hills and land on the small, matchbox-like helipads — there is just no place on these hills to make bigger ones!

What additional hazards will winter bring?
Bad weather that accompanies the western disturbances that strike northern India in the winter months is a challenge, as it reduces visibility and results in a low cloud base. So the crew have to be on the ball to make sure they can find a way to circumvent bad weather. This is not always possible, and we have long periods when flying has to be curtailed.

And what effect does extreme cold have on weight-carrying aircraft?
The lower the temperature, the better the payload because the higher air density increases the lift-carrying capability of flying machines. So the loads that can be carried during winter are higher than during summer.

This is a big advantage. For instance, an Il-76, which in summer can carry hardly any load from Leh, can fly out around 20 tonnes in the winter. It is the same with helicopters, whose load-carrying ability to extremely high helipads at altitudes of 17,000 to 20,000 feet increases substantially in winter. And it reduces drastically in summer.

Do the high altitude and topography pose a challenge to navigation and night flying?
The modern navigation equipment available now overcome most of the challenges. But mission accomplishment is not merely flying from place A to B. The aircraft has to land to complete a mission. That is where temperature and altitude plus weather become the final arbiters.

Navigation is not a problem, but take-offs and landings are tricky.
As for night flying, it has its own unique challenges because of the shadows cast by hills, as well as the state and position of the moon relative to the hills and the aircraft. A dark, moonless night poses its own challenges, and a full moon has its own. In the hills, air crew are specially cleared to carry out operations at night.