India moves its air defence missile systems into Ladakh
Move aims to counter increased Chinese air activity along LAC
Amid heightened Chinese fighter aircraft and helicopter activities along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the Indian armed forces have deployed their advanced, quick-reaction, surface-to-air missile defence systems in the Eastern Ladakh sector.
Last week Chinese Air Force aircraft were seen landing in a Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) airbase and PLA air force has increased its air activity near LAC in Ladakh.
‘As part of the ongoing build-up in the sector, the air defence systems of both Indian Army and the Indian Air Force have been deployed in the sector to prevent any misadventure by the Chinese Air Force fighter jets or the People’s Liberation Army choppers there,’ government sources were quoted as saying in reports.
The ‘quick-reaction surface-to-air missile defence systems’ of both Indian Army and the Indian Air Force have been deployed in Ladakh to take on any aerial threat. India has also filled in its surveillance gaps to ensure that no enemy aircraft goes undetected.
Indian quick reaction air defence missile includes the Akash missile which can take down fast-moving combat aircraft and drones in a few seconds. It has been modified to make it suitable for deployment in high, mountainous terrain.
Chinese refueller aircraft is reported to have been seen in Skardu airbase in PoK last week, which is 100 kilometers from Leh air base. In case of a confrontation, Pakistan could provide its air bases to Chinese Air Force to use against India. Chinese Air Force is reported to have deployed advance fighters at Hotan airbase in Xinjiang and have also brought in aircraft like the Sukhoi-30 and its strategic bombers to the rear locations. They have
been detected flying near Indian territory maintaining the 10 km plus distance from the boundary. Increased activity of Chinese helicopters near the LAC has also been reported. The IAF has also deployed Sukhoi-30MKI, Mirage 2000 and Jaguar fighter aircrafts to advanced positions and the Indian Air Force is carrying out sorties in Leh.
Air activity has gone up in the region following the stand-off with China.
Last week Indian Air Force chief R.K.S. Bhadauria had visited Leh and Srinagar air bases which will be important for any action in Eastern Ladakh. He had checked the operational readiness and reviewed the preparation of all platforms deployed in these bases.