JOIN USTroops along the China border are assured of better and regular logistics with the activation of three new air bases. In addition, the IAF has also deployed mountain radars to monitor incursions by the Chinese.
By 2011, two squadrons of Su-30 MKI fighter will be deployed at the Halwara air base in Punjab to support both eastern and western borders. In the last 18 months, the IAF has converted three 1962 advanced landing grounds (ALG)— Daulat Beg Oldie, Fukche and Nyoma—into airstrips for transport planes. The latest one, Nyoma—located at an altitude of 13,300 ft and just 23 km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC)—was activated last week.
“Next week onwards flights will regularly land at Nyoma to support 14 Corps operations in the north eastern Ladakh,” NAK Browne, commander of Delhi-based Western Air Command said. Without disclosing the total number of unused ALGs in Ladakh, Browne said there are a “number of drop areas” in Ladakh out of which only three have been activated. Though the IAF had activated DBO and Fukche last year, it took some time to compact the strip after it developed cracks and fissure due to snowfall.