Click to play videoNew Delhi: India has abandoned its four-decade-long defensive posture on the boundary with China. After re-activating a military airstrip at Daulat Beg Oldie, close to the Chinese-held Karakoram Pass in May, New Delhi has decided to re-open three more dormant airfields kissing the Sino-Indian boundary in Ladakh.
AOC-in-Command at Western Air Command, Air Marshal PK Barbora says, "We were called upon by the Government to reopen ALGs in Ladakh for tourism."
The airfields at Daulat Beg Oldie, Fukche and Chushul had been lying dormant since India's humiliation in the 1962 War. The ability to land fixed-wing aircraft here will enable rapid induction of Indian troops.
The Indian Air Force, which will be the primary instrument of power projection, has also started operating its most potent fighter aircraft, the Sukhoi-30, from Ladakh.
Air Marshal PK Barbora says, "Diplomacy and defence, the two arms of a nation, are not to threaten anyone but for showing capability. What inference China draws is left to them."
Signaling it's most robust military-diplomatic posture with China so far, India has also put the military build-up in the disputed Arunachal Pradesh on fast track.
Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal FH Major says, "We need to put military build-up on fast track. We need to upgrade airfields and first of all, the Su-30 squadron in the East by the end of 2009."
There is some deft shadow boxing along the Chinese frontier. When fighter aircraft like the Su-30 are deployed in Ladakh and the North-East, a certain message is sent across. So, India finally seems to be utilising the space between abject submission and sabre rattling to define its military posture towards China.
(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)
 |
 |
 |
|
More on IBNLive Right Now
TOP NEWS
MOST SHARED
PHOTOGALLERY
