VIEWS:

DESPITE THE HUMILIATION THAT the nation suffered in the year 1962 in the conflict with China, India’s defence preparedness and posture has largely been Pakistan-centric. In retrospect, this policy cannot be regarded as flawed in view of the fact that since independence, the nation has had to cope with four violent conflicts with the Western neighbour and we continue to be at the receiving end of terrorism and a relentless proxy war sponsored by it. However, in the last few decades, the situation on the Eastern front has also been undergoing change. China has been building up its strategic assets in Tibet to be able to respond swiftly in the event of a war with India. She already has five operational airfields located at Gonggar, Pangta, Linchi, Hoping and Gar Gunsa. Besides, China’s efforts at creation of elaborate transportation infrastructure in the Tibet Autonomous Region, its ongoing defence modernisation programme, the military build up over the Tibetan plateau and the significant upgrade in the capability to project offensive air power from its bases located across the Indo-Tibetan border, has generated serious concern amongst the political and military leadership in India. The Tibet Autonomous Region is of critical importance to China and her security as the region comprises approximately one-fourth of China’s land mass.

The concern amongst the Indian leadership is evident in the increasing focus by the IAF in recent years on development of airfield infrastructure in the North East region of the country to deploy the latest front line combat aircraft at some of the new airfields. The aim is to create a credible deterrent against any intent of misadventure by the not-so-friendly neighbour in the North either singly or in collaboration with the equally hostile neighbour in the West. Having deployed the first few squadrons of Su-30MKI, the latest front line combat aircraft on its inventory, on airfields in the Western sector for operations against Pakistan and some part of the force in the Central sector, the IAF turned its attention to the North East region. In 2008, the IAF decided to base the Su-30MKI fighter aircraft at four of the existing airfields in the North East region. These were Bagdogra, Hashimara, Tezpur and Chabua, all located in the proximity of the Sino-Indian border.

The first fighter base selected in the North East for induction of the Su-30MKI was Tezpur in Assam and the first squadron was deployed there in 2009. This was followed by the deployment in February 2011 of the next squadron of this platform at Chabua also in Assam. Apart from the 50 aircraft directly from Sukhoi, the IAF has placed orders with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for another 262 Su-30MKI aircraft. Currently, the IAF has around 12 squadrons of Su-30MKI fighters and the remaining six squadrons are expected to be delivered by HAL by 2019. Given the evolving geopolitical scenario, most, if not all the new inductions will be deployed at airfields in the North East. Thus there is the urgency to create appropriate infrastructure in this region.

The process of creating proper airfield infrastructure in the North East to cater for round the clock operation of combat aircraft from some of these airfields began as far back as in 2009 when the IAF identified ALGs for upgrade at eight locations. These were at Ziro, Pasighat, Mechuka, Walong, Along, Tuting, Tawang and Vijaynagar. In March this year, the ALGs at Ziro and Along in Arunachal Pradesh were upgraded and declared operational. In May this year, Air Marshal C. Hari Kumar, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Air Command, inaugurated the upgraded ALG in Mechuka in Arunachal Pradesh. This airfield is situated along the Sino-Indian border at an elevation of 7,000 ft above sea level. Located just 40 km from the Sino-Indian border, Mechuka was one of the strategic locations during the Sino-Indian conflict of 1962. Mechuka is capable of handling operations by the fourengine aircraft such as the C-130J. The project to upgrade the ALG at Tuting and Tawang is expected to be completed by the end of this year. The upgrade programme of the ALG at Vijaynagar, appeared to have suffered delays as in the absence of proper road connectivity, it has not been possible to transport the required materials, machinery and manpower at the pace required.

Landing of a Su-30MKI fighter jet of the IAF at Pasighat located 120 km from the Sino-Indian border was indeed a historic event and a red letter day for the IAF as it marks the commissioning of an airfield capable of projecting offensive air power. Hopefully our belligerent neighbour will get the right message!