Indian Air Force Bolsters Eastern Airbases Amid Rising Tensions with China

 In response to increasing tensions with China, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is upgrading infrastructure at 20 eastern airbases, enhancing capabilities to handle China-centric operations. This includes constructing hardened aircraft shelters, munitions centers, and additional runways to accommodate increased civilian traffic and ensure operational continuity in case of runway damage during conflict.

A notable upgrade is the construction of a second runway at the strategic Leh airbase in Ladakh, a region of frequent India-China military clashes. Leh airbase is essential for maintaining operations along the Line of Actual Control with China and Siachen. The base supports night operations for fighters and transport aircraft, including Rafales, MiG-29s, Sukhoi-30s, and Apaches, and is vital for transporting troops and supplies during harsh winters when road access is limited.

The IAF’s infrastructure development extends to other key bases. Satellite imagery from April 2024 revealed significant enhancements at the Chabua Air Base, near the China border. Upgrades include additional taxiways, hardened shelters for fighter aircraft, underground munitions storage, and improved taxiways for drones, ensuring sustained high-tempo operations if tensions escalate.

In Ladakh, a new 2.7-km runway at Nyoma airbase, located 23 kilometers from the China border, is set for completion in October 2024. The new runway, at an elevation of 13,700 feet, will enhance IAF operations. Support infrastructure, such as hangars, air traffic control buildings, and hard standing areas, will be ready by the end of 2025. Nyoma airstrip, operational during the 1962 India-China war, was reactivated in 2009 and has since supported various military aircraft, including the C-130J Super Hercules.

China has been ramping up its air assets along the LAC since the 2020 Galwan standoff. Recent satellite images show the deployment of China’s Chengdu J-20 Mighty Dragon 5th-generation fighter jets at Shigatse Air Base, only 150 kilometers from the LAC. The base also hosts J-10 aircraft and KJ-500 Airborne early warning and control aircraft, posing a strategic challenge to India's Rafale-equipped Hasimara Air Base in West Bengal.

The Shigatse base, with its new 3,000-meter auxiliary runway and multiple helipads, is strategically located along the central China-India border, close to the Doklam area, site of a 2017 standoff. The oblique angle of the new runway complicates enemy strikes aiming to disable both runways simultaneously.

China’s infrastructure expansion along the LAC since 2020, which includes new airbases, missile sites, roads, bridges, bunkers, and underground facilities, has significantly enhanced its military capabilities. The Hotan airbase in Xinjiang now features a new runway, additional tarmacs, hangars, and upgraded air defenses.

According to the China Power Project at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), China has upgraded dozens of airports and heliports in Tibet and Xinjiang, improving last-mile connectivity and enabling a wider range of military operations. Open-source data identifies 37 newly constructed or upgraded air facilities in these regions since 2017, with at least 22 being military or dual-use. The accelerated development in 2020, including the construction and upgrading of 14 air facilities, fills previous gaps along the Indian border, providing the PLA Air Force (PLAAF) new bases to project airpower against India.

China Deploys Stealth J-20 Fighters Near Indian Border, Sparking Concerns

 

China's People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has deployed J-20 and J-10 fighters at the Shigatse Air Base, just 150 kilometers from the Indian border, also known as the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Satellite images obtained by All Source Analysis reveal six J-20 stealth fighters, eight J-10 aircraft, and one KJ-500 airborne early warning and control aircraft at the high-altitude, dual-use airport.

This significant deployment puts the J-20s less than 300 kilometers from India’s Hasimara Air Base in West Bengal, where the Indian Air Force (IAF) has stationed its Rafale jets. This proximity has raised alarms among Indian military bloggers, highlighting the disparity between the two air forces. Unlike China, India does not have a fifth-generation aircraft.

The IAF's Rafales, considered one of its strongest defenses against the Chinese threat, are strategically positioned at Hasimara for quick deployment in case of a border threat. During the 2020 standoff, China deployed five times more J-20 fighters compared to India’s Rafales. This recent deployment at Shigatse is one of the largest near the Indian border in recent memory, following previous sightings at the Hotan airbase in Xinjiang.

China first positioned J-20s near the Indian border during the 2020 conflict, responding to the perceived threat from India’s Rafale jets. In June 2022, the PLAAF stationed about two dozen combat aircraft, including J-20s, at Hotan.

The J-20s have become a symbol of China’s military prowess. Recently, the PLA Eastern Command showcased the J-20s' capabilities in a video emphasizing their “cross-strait” lethality. This display followed military drills in response to Taiwan President Lai Ching-te's speech on independence. By 2026, each of China’s five theatre commands will have one to two J-20 brigades.

The J-20, featuring advanced electronics and sensors, is designed for “intelligentized combat,” functioning as a “sniper” by targeting vulnerable assets like airborne early warning planes with near-invisibility. Chinese media claims the J-20 is superior to the Rafale due to its stealth capabilities, though analysts argue the two jets are designed for different roles.

In a 2020 simulation drill, Chinese pilots claimed to have shot down 17 Rafale fighters using J-20s. Despite these claims, Indian officials and experts maintain that the Rafale’s combat history in various conflicts puts it above the still-developing J-20. Ironically, while Chinese J-20s are near the Indian border, Indian Rafales are in the US for the Red Flag military exercises to enhance their combat skills.

Analyzing the Air Power Balance: Indian Air Force vs. Chinese PLAAF

Amid escalating tensions, the Indian Air Force (IAF) faces a formidable challenge from the technologically advanced People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) over the Himalayas. With over 1200 warplanes, the IAF stands in a tight spot against the PLAAF's locally developed and manufactured arsenal.

The PLAAF's substantial size and technological superiority pose a significant threat, yet the IAF holds advantages in operational bases and geographical positioning, critical for supporting Indian Army operations and counteracting PLAAF strategies.

As tensions simmer along the Ladakh border, questions arise about the IAF's ability to sustain operations in challenging mountain terrain and a potentially expanding conflict scenario. An objective analysis of PLAAF capabilities is crucial to assess the threat posed to IAF operations.

Delving into PLAAF platforms, training, and likely tactics provides insights into the potential challenges faced by the IAF. From frontline fighters like the Su-35 and J-20 to strategic assets like the H-6 bombers and advanced cruise missiles, the PLAAF presents a multifaceted threat.

Examining PLAAF training, tactics, and operational exercises reveals a concerted effort to enhance combat readiness and adaptability against near-peer adversaries. However, challenges remain in achieving uniformity across units and maintaining tactical proficiency.

In assessing the PLAAF's potential tactics, the utilization of stealth capabilities, force multipliers like AWACS, and precision strike capabilities underscores the complexity of the threat environment faced by the IAF.

Despite PLAAF's advantages, constraints exist, such as terrain limitations, logistical challenges, and vulnerabilities in extended operations from high-altitude airbases. The IAF's familiarity with low-level flying and operational bases offers strategic advantages in countering PLAAF aggression.

As both air forces engage in a potential conflict scenario, the balance of power hinges on factors like training, motivation, and adaptability. While the IAF may face initial challenges, leveraging strategic acquisitions and operational expertise can bolster its resilience against PLAAF incursions.

In navigating the air power balance, the IAF must prioritize strategic investments in cruise missiles, EW equipment, and air defense systems to mitigate PLAAF advantages and uphold national security interests in the region.