Chocking China, Air strips are ready

Chocking China, Air strips are ready

    Indian air force plans to revamp fortification in the recently modernized air fields close to Chinese borders in Kashmir and eastern Arunachal. Earlier the government allocated nearly $2.4 billions to modernize the abandoned air field's close to china and increase the facilities like other air bases in Leh, Kargil and Tezpur which is also close to the Chinese border.

After the 1962 war, China and India agreed to demilitarize upto 20 kilometer from each side from the line of actual control. Many airfields who used to supply the troops in 1962 also abandoned.However  later years both China and India started construction of defense fortification and air bases close to border, After heavy pressure from Indian Military leaders, India too accelerated such constructions.

In 1962, during the war, China is well prepared to conduct the offensive, with good supply routes and transportation. Chinese started such construction early 1959, when they attempted to seize the Tibet later years. China also smelled that India also readying for war, with the inputs from Indian patrols in Aksai Shin.

The abandoned air fields are very well suited for operating medium sized cargo aircraft's, Earlier those Airstrips are well used by the American C 130 and DC 3 turboprops. They were not capable to launch fighter jets, since operating a fighter jets from an air base need lost of support equipment's.

In the western air command, IAF has two full fledged air force bases, that can operate fighter jets and all other military aircraft's. Kargil airbase currently in second phase of construction, which would  be completed within next two years. Leh is the other base, which operates a squadron of fighter jets along with special mission aircraft's. Both theses are located very closely to the Chinese border 200 and 100 kilometers respectively.

IAF also has five airstrips who are lying very closely within the Chinese border, IAF already modernized the three air strips named, Thoise, Daulat Beg Oldie, and Nyoma. these three are almost constructed like a large airbase. Year's ago IAF shows it's pride by landing the Lockheed C 130 J in DBO strip. The earlier pictures seems quite good, It's believed under the new program it's fine tuned to operate many other cargo aircraft's.

Thoise air base construction also completed, with improved runway and modern equipemts, who also serve as a key supply line to the frontier troops. It's believed the air strip is modernized to carry out fighter jet sorties too, Due to the national security, information's about Thoise remain classified.

Nyoma is also in full fledged construction, It was earlier assisted the IAF's An 32 landing's. all the above said three air strips are modernized to support all kind of military transports like An 32 to C 17 globe master.

Two other air strips named Fukche and Chusul also in modernization, those will act as a forward operating base in case of war with China, both are well close to the Chinese border, just 10 kilometers from the border, These are the two air strips who currently assist the BRO-Border Road Organization to build road ways along the borders who connects the border outposts with air strips.

Compared to Ladakh region, Arunachal is more vulnerable by the Chinese, due to the geographical conditions. During the 1962 Chinese almost comes close to Darjeeling, Tuting and Tawang, Even so the walong air strip is completely overrun by the Chinese, After the Chinese ceasefire, China pulled back from the captured lands. Walong is just 12 miles away from the Chinese border.

Many of the older, abandoned air strips are already revamped and operational. In Arunachal there were eight fully operational landing grounds, All of them can support IAF's An 32 Tactical air lifter. which can carry troops and cargo's. IAF also plans to buy more than fifty plus tactical lifter based on the C 295, However the plans is still on limbo, ( C 295 article found here ).

Eastern borders also have some good airbases, housing modern fighter jets like Su 30 MKI and MiG 29 UPG's. Tezpur in Arunachal have a squadron of Su 30 MKI, and IAF plans to add another two squadron of MKI's close to other bases in Arunachal, Jorhat and Chauba in consideration. These bases also well protected by the Israeli supplied long range radar's and SpyDer LLQRM missile systems. ( SpyDer Article )

These air defense batteries can provide air cover to the airbases along the Chinese border's. China also fortifies the Lhasa and Shannan province with modern Chinese copy of Russian Su 30's. China also planning to replace those fighters with new Russian Su 35 fighter jets. 

Chinese positions are also well protected by Chinese copy of Russian S 300. China plans to replace those systems by Russian S 400 long range missile defense systems, They plans to field two regiments of S 400 each close to Ladakh and Aruncahal which posing serious threats to the every air strips and air bases listed above. ( The Chinese s 400 deployment article )

Meanwhile, India plans to fortify these air bases with Indo Israeli made MR SAM which is a derivative of Barak 8 missile defense system. It's clear when using these airstrips, The first mission always taking out Russian supplied S 400 before doing any airborne mission in these regions.

Air chief Raha warns, China cornering us

Air chief Raha warns, China cornering us

Chinese Su 27 Flankers

   Indian Air force chief attends the annual seminar conducted by center for Air power studies. The seminar is about to discuss Chinese air activity close to Indian air space. Air chief Raha concerned about Chinese increased activities in Tibet autonomous region which was allegedly annexed by China earlier. China tries to focus all available sides to corner India. The Chinese influence in Pakistan and Chinese military tie up with Sri Lanka  is all some small examples.

   Earlier October, Raha said that IAF watching Chinese fighter jets increased presence in the TAR region. IAF also noted Chinese military build up and increased activities of building new military infrastructure in that area's. China has a large military air base close to Daocheng Yading, where they can field most of their fighter jets and missile defense systems.

    Air Force Cheif also expressed concern of fielding long range air defense missile in TAR, which makes IAF fighter's facing huge risk when conducting combat air patrol missions. China is the first customer of Russian S 400 missiles. China plans to field regiments of S 400 close to Taiwan, Hainan and Tibet to counter Chinese rival enemies like Taiwan, USA and India.

    Fielding one S 400 missile battery in TAR makes huge risk of IAF pilots who fly combat missions close to Chinese borders. China will deploy their S 400 Batteries close to above said regions by early next year. IAF chief talks about the latest threats in that region, and also said that, Earlier IAF has a threat of HQ 9 batteries which is a clone of Russian S 300 missile same like S 400. IAF has several options to counter those batteries using kamikaze UAV's and combat drones.

Chinese H 6 Bomber Missile Carrier

   Chief also Talks about Chinese maritime patrol missions very close to Indian waters, IAF Chief surprised about Chinese nuclear boats close to Indian waters in the name of anti piracy mission, with a strange logic. Chinese Naval presence close to Andaman Nicobar command is a way very concern. ANC is vulnerable to enemy attacks due to lack of war ships and air defense assets.

    Air marshal also talked about Indian advancement in Arunachal Pradesh, where China attacks first in case of war erupted between India and China, Building new infrastructure and modernizing older landing grounds and air strips gives quick support to IAF to conduct offensive and defensive operation within and outside Indian air space.

    Raha clearly mentions the need of alliance between AESAN nations to stand against Chinese alleged  claims of disputed territories. From Akshai shin to Tawang China repeatedly violating the borders  and sending Chinese patrol's inside Indian lands. India tries to fortify the Borders by constructing more numbers of Border outposts and deploying more soldiers. Recent stand off shows India has slight upper edge compared to the Chinese.

   Air Chief Raha also briefed about Chinese assistance of constructing Gawdar port in Pakistan. Which gives an upper edge to China to monitor Indian activities in western waters. India also concerns about Chinese assistance of Pakistani construction of economic corridor which connect Pakistan and Pakistani occupied Kashmir. 

    When talking about Pakistan, The Pakistani government and army allegedly support the anti Indian elements operating close to Indian borders. Pakistan continuously supporting those anti Indian elements who focus killing Indian civilians, Stopping those activities only increases the Indo Pakistani relations said Arup Raha.

   Raha also answered questions about IAF's involvements in anti Naxal operations. Raha said So far more than fifteen thousand sorties flown by IAF's both fixed and rotary wings, which transported more than 75,000 para military personnel's and 1600 tons of load.

Secure the Battle front Tawang

Secure the Battle front Tawang

  

       A report recently tabled in front of the Parliament standing committee on defense has estimated that the that Indian Army needs a day to reach the frontlines of Tawang Region, where as the Chinese ground forces can reach within a matter of hours . The Indian side is plagued by shortfalls in logistics and infrastructure.

      Tawang is a disputed area and has been for long contested by the Chinese and Tibetans, Shortly after annexing Tibet, China has now announced that Tawang is an integral part of Tibet and has thus reclaimed that it is now a part of China. India has for long fought against this move of the Chinese, during the first Indo China war, India has successfully claimed substantial part of Tawang and thus a new border was formed along the Tawang area.

          Tawang is surrounded by Bhutan at its north east, and this is fortified thanks to the Himalayas which serve as a natural barrier. Towards south east is China, which is connected through various valleys and which the Chinese can use to easily mount an attack on these forward points.

            India has setup several fail proof steps to check the invasion, the ITBP was setup solely for this purpose and works under the Home ministry and the Indian army come up with its own forces to check any aggression along the border.

          Think Tanks have repeatedly warned about the infrastructure and the logistics problems the army may face in a full scale war scenario, the roads along this crucial stretch have never been maintained. The new government has now taken measures to boost infrastructures around Tawang, and has also planned to lay roads for quick deployment of the forces.

        The strength of force along this stretch is very minimal, the patrol is being conducted by very minimal force who are not very well equipped with enough equipments to tackle the problem. The Chinese have repeatedly shown aggression along this area, the ITBP has effectively driven out and checked this move by the Chinese efficiently proving their effectiveness and operational status.






          Diplomatic solutions to this problem have been sought for long and this has failed repeatedly, when the Chinese had tented inside Indian Territory the moves to check this by the army had failed and the army failed to receive any reinforcements in time hence escalating the situation. The Chinese on the other hand, received reinforcements and supplies within a few hours after the Indian army staged an offensive on the Chinese.

             India is now slowly planning to construct boost the infrastructure and build numerous roads and bridges along the ALG's. The government has gone ahead and has decided to establish makeshift helipads which can be used to provide resupplies within a moment’s notice. India is now building a Mountain strike corps which enables it to mount offensive in a moment’s notice. India has now planned to Air superiority and Close Air support fighters close to the borders to enable rapid movement of the forces.

Editor Karthik kakoor