Providing Logistics in Ladakh a Test of Mettle

Context: Operational logistics in difficult hilly areas like Ladakh is very crucial to sustain the forces through the anticipated period of operations.

Difficulty in providing proper logistics support in high altitude areas:

• Difficult Terrain: Survival and conducting operations in high-altitude areas like Ladakh is a big challenge.
• The complexity of maintaining the supply chain:  To provide operational logistics support to the troops fighting in such difficult areas. 
• Limited connectivity: Ladakh is connected to the rest of the country only by road and air. The road is open for about four months.
• Different terrain imperatives: Within Ladakh, each sub-sector has different terrain imperatives and some posts are accessible only on foot or by animal transport.
• Restricted availability of local resources: Local resources available in Ladakh are extremely restricted due to the limitations of weather and terrain. 

Steps taken to address the challenges:

• Well-oiled machinery: From the forward most post to the Army headquarters the demand moves backward to Delhi and the stocks go forward to the posts through the intermediary channel of logistics.
• Collective effort: During the road open period, the collective effort up the chain comes into effect. During this period needed items are inducted into the sector. 
• Varied modes of transport: Goods trains from the hinterland, load-carrying vehicles in the hilly areas followed by mules and civilian porters for the last kilometer connectivity. 
• Monitoring: Formation commanders monitor the progress of AWS and the stock build-up.

Way Forward:

• Forecast the demand: There is a requirement to forecast the demand for all stores in great detail and procure them well in time in the plains.
• Caring attitude by the leaders: The soldiers need to be given a feeling of being cared for by their leaders to make them a professional force.