India is increasing its military readiness in response to China‘s ongoing fortification of its positions along the disputed border area, according to a recent report from Arunachal Observer. The Indian government’s actions come as tensions remain high following a clash with Chinese forces in Leh on June 5, 2020.
China has been enhancing its infrastructure along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Tibet, including the development of new airports. In response, India has heightened its surveillance and defensive measures, particularly in Arunachal Pradesh, a region that China claims as part of its territory, referring to it as South Tibet. Arunachal Pradesh shares a 1,129-km border with China, forming part of the overall 3,488-km Indo-China border.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has a significant presence in the region, with several bases equipped to counter any potential threats from China. One of the key air bases is Salonibari Air Force Station in Tezpur, Assam. This base, located just 8.5 km from Tezpur’s city center, is crucial for India’s defense strategy in the northeast.
“Salonibari Air Force Station, originally built by the British in the 1940s and later established as an IAF base in 1959, now houses advanced aircraft like the MiG-21s and the Sukhoi Su-30MKI,” reported Arunachal Observer. These aircraft frequently patrol the skies over Itanagar, ensuring India‘s readiness to counter any aerial incursions.
Air Commodore V J Singh, the Air Officer Commanding of the IAF station, highlighted the ongoing operations and the readiness of the air warriors at the base in an interview with StratNews Global. He emphasized the strategic importance of the air base in maintaining regional security.
Furthermore, Air Marshal D.K. Patnaik, former Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Air Command, stressed the strategic deployment of airfields east of the Chicken’s Neck, all within 150 to 200 km from the LAC. “These airfields play a defensive role during peacetime and are fully prepared for any eventuality,” he stated, as mentioned by Arunachal Observer.
Patnaik confidently added, “Should the enemy decide to advance, there are limited routes available for them, and it will not be easy for ground forces to make significant inroads. The IAF is poised to restrict any movement effectively.”
As India continues to bolster its defenses in the face of increasing Chinese military activities, the region remains one of the most sensitive and closely watched in Indo-China relations. Both nations have substantial military resources deployed along the LAC, and the situation requires careful monitoring and management to prevent any escalation into a larger conflict.
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