Tawang conflict: Mapping Chinese air infrastructure alongside India-China border 

By Bidisha Saha, Dipti Yadav: One of probably the most important developments over the previous few years has been the seen build-up and upgradations of Chinese airports and heliports in Tibet and Xinjiang. The upgradation of the present airbases and the development of recent ones present nice prospects in enhancing China’s army capabilities. Considering the rugged terrain of the area, it has the potential to supply an extra benefit to China in launching airborne surveillance in offensive and counter-offensive operations within the occasion of a battle.

At a time when tensions on the border between India-China are heightened, India Today makes an attempt to map present process developments of air property close to Tibet and Xinjiang primarily based on satellite tv for pc imagery evaluation and different open-source materials. Over the previous decade, there was a continued constructing of air hyperlinks close to disputed areas with India, equivalent to a second runway at Hotan Airport and a brand new heliport at Rutog close to the Western Sector of the Sino-Indian Border.

According to a report by the American think-tank Center for Strategic and International Studies, China Power Project information, round 9 new airbases have been in-built Tibet, and 6 in Xinjiang, whereas at the very least 15 have been upgraded within the Xinjiang area. Three of them are being constructed since 2019 in Xinjiang. These heliports, operated by PLA (People’s Liberation Army) Aviation items, are dotted all through Tibet, stretching from Rutog County within the west to Nyingchi City within the east.

The report additionally mentions that “China’s western infrastructure buildup is fueled by perceived external and internal security threats on its frontier… China perceives significant security threats along its expansive disputed border with India, commonly known as the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The LAC is roughly divided into three sections. The eastern stretch of the border runs along an area roughly the size of Austria that is claimed by China as part of southern Tibet but administered by India as the state of Arunachal Pradesh.”

Recently in an interview, former Army Chief General Naravane highlighted the issues concerning the illicit use of ‘salami slicing’ tactic by China. He mentioned that the Chinese army is making an attempt to change the established order alongside the LAC in “small incremental steps”, however all makes an attempt have been thwarted by a “more assertive response from the Indian Army.” According to the Indian Defense Ministry, China has been illegally occupying roughly 38,000 sq km of territory in Ladakh for the previous six a long time.

China’s Key Aviation Facilities Near Sino-China BorderShigatse Peace Airport

Again a dual-use airbase positioned in Shigatse, which is the second largest metropolis in Tibet and located round 150 km north of India’s frontier with Tibet, has witnessed a current buildup as of December 14 after the current conflict alongside the shared border, as reported earlier by India Today. There has been a rise in aerial actions together with unmanned aerial autos (UAVs).

A current evaluation of satellite tv for pc pictures from The Warzone Wire reveals a serious buildup. “While the airbase has had a persistent contingent of UAVs for years, a large, mixed detachment of units was seen deployed across the base possibly due to heightened tensions,” it reported.

Our newest Downlink seems at what seems to be a serious uptick in unmanned plane and different aviation actions at China’s Shigatse Airport in Tibet close to the border with India. It comes as new clashes alongside the border lately erupted: pic.twitter.com/SiWhD1Uonl
— The War Zone (@thewarzonewire) December 13, 2022

“Fighter aircraft, possible refuelers, along with airborne early warning (AEW) and control aircraft” had been famous on the web site of the airbase. The current uptick in AEW plane is “notable as it provides improved airspace surveillance and early detection of airborne threats” within the unforgiving terrain alongside the shared Tibetan border. It is probably going Shigatse Airport is appearing as the primary ahead base supporting Chinese air missions within the area. The base is strategically positioned alongside the central portion of the China-India border and is nearer than some other airport to the disputed Doklam space the place the 2017 border standoff ensued.

Hotan Airbase

Operating underneath the Western Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force PLAAF, the development work began early in 2020 on the Hotan airbase. Situated simply north of Aksai Chin, this airbase seems to have made appreciable progress on its new 4,200-meter runway and big weapons inventory- actions that might enormously help China’s future army offensives within the area.

The satellite tv for pc evaluation of the aerodrome signifies upgradation work at a fast tempo even in late 2020, aimed straight at boosting the army capabilities of this web site. It permits lesser time utilized in dispatching squads throughout battle conditions.

As per China Power Report, at the very least 8 new roads and highways are being constructed stretching from the G219 nationwide freeway towards the China-India LAC. Within the army realm, these roads play a big function in transferring Chinese army forces between cities like Hotan PLAAF base into distant components of disputed areas, such because the Galwan Valley.

Ngari-Gunsa Airbase

This dual-use airport is located at an elevation of 4270 m and caters to each army and civilian plane. The pictures recommend a big and fast Chinese army build-up in late 2020 alongside the contested border. It is strategically positioned close to Ladakh and the states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. It is positioned in Gar County in Tibet, simply 200 km from Pangong Lake.

Major Air Stations close to Indo-China border.Kashgar Airbase

The Kashgar airbase in China’s Xinjiang area is barely 475 km from Karakoram Pass in Eastern Ladakh. The dual-use airbase with a 3,200m runway has seen upgradation work together with apron expansions, new massive hangars presumably for H-6 bombers and airborne early warning (AEW) plane, and 12x hardened plane shelters for fighters since 2020.

Shannan Longzi Airport

The Shannan Longzi airport, at 3194m in elevation, has been funded by the thirteenth Five Year Plan and is a part of China’s “3+1” improvement venture, which features a second runway for Gonggar and new airports at Tingri and Purang. The adjustments in satellite tv for pc imagery present appreciable adjustments and enhancements made within the roadways close to the airport after its completion in 2021. New roads and rail goal to facilitate simpler motion of troops inside the areas.

Nyingchi Mainling Airport

Nyingchi is a strategically positioned Tibetan border city near Arunachal Pradesh. Nyingchi Mainling airport was historically constructed for civilian transfers, however since 2020, noticed apparent indicators of militarization.

The satellite tv for pc pictures of the airport, which is positioned simply 15.8 Km from the disputed Indian border, reveal new garrison, coaching, and air protection services. Other upgrades embrace the creation of a brand new taxiway, camouflaged positions and attainable space protection developments happening on the web site since June 2019.

Lhasa Gongkar Airport

Located within the capital metropolis of Lhasa which now serves the Shigatse and Tsetang areas of Tibet, this airport has a brand new terminal constructing underneath building together with a cargo advanced.

Changdu Bangda Airbase (Qamdo Bamgda)

Located on the west financial institution of the Yuqu River in jap Tibet, the Changdu Bangda Airbase sits at an elevation of 4400 m. Construction work has been ongoing and suspected army buildings had been seen together with apron and runway works and attainable pavements. It is roughly 160 km from the Indian border and has been underneath renovation since 2020.

Chamdo Bangda. (Source: Twitter/ @detresfa_)Rutog County Heliport

The building of Rutog heliport close to Pangong Tso Lake in jap Ladakh started across the similar time when India and China clashed alongside the Himalayan borders for the primary time in probably the most severe brawl at Galwan Valley in June 2020, strengthening China’s army dedication to frame battle with India.

The gif of the satellite tv for pc imagery obtained from Sentinel Hub not solely reveals the motion of armored autos but additionally the development of army barracks, roads, and demarcations. Multiple tarped and coated rows recommend attainable munitions and weaponry stock.

Aksai Chin Heliport

Around 150 km from Daulat Beg Oldi, China began constructing a heliport close to Aksai Chin Lake even after India contested Chinese claims to the world. Satellite Imagery reveals appreciable progress on web site, amongst different observations, together with ongoing work on the runway, shelters and allied reinforcement buildings. The time lapse between October 2020 and January 2021 highlights that regardless of the brutal winds of winter, work continued at a fast tempo.

Tashkorgan Airport & Heliport

Located hardly 100 km north of Khunjerab Pass, Ladakh’s Border within the North, each the Tashkorgan Airport and Helipad are linked with China National Highway-314 (Urumqi to Khunjerab Pass) and a part of Karakoram Highway (N-35). This can be known as the primary “high plateau airport” in Xinjiang. High plateau airports are a time period utilized in Chinese aviation to check with airports positioned greater than 2,438 meters above sea degree.

This infrastructure is a key a part of the China-Pakistan financial hall, a flagship element of the Belt and Road Initiative. While the airport is constructed primarily for civilian utilization, the brand new army helipad is constructed lower than 8 km north of the airport.

Other airbases alongside the jap realm embrace Cuona Heliport, Damxung Airport, Gerze County Airport, Gerze County Airport, Kangmar County Airport, Qamdo Bamda Airport, and Seni County Heliport.

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Published On:

Dec 15, 2022