Indian surface-to-air missiles deployed at Eastern Ladakh

Chinese refueller aircraft seen landing in PoK airbase, 100 km from Leh airbase

Amid heightened Chinese fighter aircraft and helicopter activities along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Indian armed forces have deployed their advanced quick-reaction surface-to-air missile defence systems in the Eastern Ladakh sector.

Last week, Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) aircraft were seen landing in a Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) airbase. The PLAAF has increased its activity near the LAC in Ladakh.

“As part of the ongoing build-up in the sector, the air defence systems of both the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force have been deployed in the sector to prevent any misadventure by the PLAAF,” government sources were quoted as saying.

The missile systems are meant to take on any aerial threat. India has filled in its surveillance gaps to ensure that no enemy aircraft goes undetected.

The missile system includes the Akash which can take down fast-moving combat aircraft and drones. It has been modified for deployment in mountainous terrain.

Chinese refueller aircraft is reported to have been seen in Skardu in PoK last week, 100 km from Leh. In case of a confrontation, Pakistan could provide its air bases to the PLAAF to use against India. The PLAAF is reported to have deployed fighter jets at the Hotan airbase in Xinjiang and has brought in aircraft like the Sukhoi-30 and strategic bombers to the rear locations. They have been detected flying near Indian territory maintaining the 10 km plus distance from the LAC. Increased activity of Chinese helicopters near the LAC has also been reported.

The IAF has deployed its Sukhoi-30MKI, Mirage

2000 and Jaguar fighter aircraft to advance positions along the LAC and the Indian Air Force is carrying out sorties in Leh.