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Commercial satellite images claim that China has deployed its most modern J-20 stealth fighter aircraft at two airbases located near the India-China Line of Actual Control (LAC). According to the photos, a total of 12 J-20 aircraft are present at Hotan in Xinjiang and Damshung airbase in Tibet. This is considered to be one of the largest deployments of this category of aircraft along the LAC in recent years.
What was seen in satellite photos
According to the report, images from commercial satellite company Vantor showed eight J-20 ‘Mighty Dragon’ stealth fighter aircraft at Hotan Airbase in Xinjiang on July 9. At the same time, in the pictures of June 25, four J-20 aircraft were seen standing under the protective shelter at Damshung Airbase in Tibet.
A total of 12 J-20 stealth fighter aircraft were seen in satellite images at two Chinese airbases near the India-China border in about two weeks.
How close are the airbases to the Indian border?
Hotan Air Base is about 245 km from Indian Air Force’s Daulat Beg Oldi Air Base and about 389 km from Leh. It is the major forward airbase of the PLA Air Force (PLAAF) located in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China. It is used for both civil and military purposes and is considered an important forward operational base of China near the India-China border.
This base has an extended runway of about 3,700 meters long, through which even large and heavy military aircraft can take off easily. Strong aircraft shelters, new aprons and modern operation support facilities have been developed here.
J-20 fifth generation stealth fighter aircraft, KJ-500 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft, interceptor fighter jets and surveillance and strike drones (UAVs) like CH-4 are deployed at this base. H-6 strategic bombers are also deployed here during regional military exercises and border tensions.
Damshung Air Base is a high-altitude military airbase located in Lhasa Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region, China. It is located about 344 km north-west of Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh and is considered an important center of China’s military strategy on the eastern sector of LAC.
Due to its location at the height of the Tibetan Plateau, it is an important forward staging base for the PLA Air Force (PLAAF). From here, deployment, training and operations of fighter aircraft are conducted in high altitude areas. Aircrew are given practice flying operations in difficult geographical and meteorological conditions.
The airbase has one major runway from where fighter and military aircraft can operate regularly.
Damshung Airbase is a key hub for China’s Western Theater Command to enhance air power along the eastern LAC. From here it becomes easier to conduct surveillance, quick military response and high altitude operations in the direction of Arunachal Pradesh.
Why is deployment considered important
The report quoted defense sources as saying that the continued presence of J-20 at the high-altitude airbase is an indication that China is now making such deployment a part of its regular military strategy and not a temporary military exercise.
The J-20 is China’s fifth-generation stealth fighter aircraft, developed for radar avoidance and modern air operations. It is counted among the most advanced fighter aircraft of the Chinese Air Force.
Continuous military activities on India-China border
According to the report, this deployment has come at a time when military tension on the 3,488 km long disputed border between India and China has not completely ended. After the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, the two countries have held several rounds of military and diplomatic talks and there has also been withdrawal of troops from some areas. Despite this, both sides continue to deploy large numbers of troops, armored vehicles and modern air resources on the LAC.
Challenges facing the Indian Air Force
The report also says that the Indian Air Force is currently facing the challenge of reduction in the number of fighter aircraft. The indigenous LCA Tejas Mk1A program has been delayed, while the proposed procurement process for 114 multi-role combat aircraft is still ongoing.
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