The step, it is believed, is being taken in view of the reported military ambitions of China. It is hoped that it may act as deterrence for China which is reportedly engaged in military build up in our North-Eastern border.

The sanction for inducting a regiment of the Block III steep-dive variant of the BrahMos, has been recently approved by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) meeting chaired by the Defence Minister, AK Antony. DAC is the apex decision making body of the Ministry. This move is slated to pave the way for induction of the fourth missile regiment in the army and is expected to enhance the lethality of army's firepower in the northeastern region.

BrahMos is a stealth supersonic cruise missile that can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft or land and has been inducted in all the three services. This steep-dive attack cruise missile can hit enemy targets hidden in the shadows of mountains.

This preparedness comes at a time just before the two-day 1st India-China Strategic Economic Dialogue is scheduled to take place in Beijing from September 26. The Indian side will be led by the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, MS Ahluwalia. The Chinese side will be led by the Chairman, National Development and Reform Commission, Zhang Ping.

The strategic economic dialogue between the two countries was conceived during Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao’s visit to India in December 2010.

So far the Indian Army has inducted a total of three regiments already including two of the Block II variant, which can precisely hit the intended enemy building or assets even in a cluster of buildings.

With a view to counter China’s aggressive tendencies India has already deployed two squadrons of the Su-30 MKI fighter jet aircraft in Tezpur and Chhabua in Assam and raised two mountain divisions for deployment in Arunachal Pradesh and adjoining areas.

India is also developing over 70 strategic roads on the India-China border.