New Delhi:
Once again, China’s intentions are not looking good. Even a US military official has recently said that the development of Chinese military infrastructure along the border with India is dangerous, saying that the Chinese Air Force will be in its position near the eastern Ladakh sector. More than two dozen frontline aircraft are deployed at the airport.
According to government sources, the Chinese Air Force now maintains 25 of its frontline fighters at Hotan airport, including their J-11 and J-20 fighter jets. “The Chinese earlier kept contingents of MiG-21 class fighters, but now they have been replaced by more capable and sophisticated aircraft and in larger numbers,” he said.
Additionally, the Chinese Air Force is also building new airfields closer to Indian territory, which could allow them to perform missions from lower altitudes.
US Pacific Army General Charles A. Flynn recently said the level of Chinese activity was eye-opening. “I think some of the infrastructure being built at the Western Theater Command is dangerous,” he said.
Indian agencies are keeping a close watch on the activities of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), which extends from Ladakh in the north to Arunachal Pradesh in the northeast, along the Line of Actual Control with India.
Along with Hotan, agencies are also keeping a close watch on the PLAAF’s Gar Gunsa, Kashghar, Hoping, Dakonka Dzong, Linzhi and Pangut airbases in Xinjiang and Tibet region.
The Chinese PLAAF has been upgrading these bases in recent times with the construction of stern shelters, extension of runway length and deployment of additional manpower for more operations.
The Indian side has also stepped up its preparations in view of the increased activity. The Chinese military has deployed its fleet of Sukhoi-30MKIs, MiG-29s and Mirage-2000s at forward air bases to counter any misadventures on its side of the LAC.
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