China increases deployment of fighter aircraft near Indian territory| Exclusive
India Today
China has increased the deployment of fighter aircraft near Indian territory.
Amid the assertion by an American military officer that the situation along the Eastern Ladakh sector was alarming, it is emerging that the Chinese Air Force has more than doubled the deployment of fighter aircraft at its main base near Indian territory.
The Chinese Air Force is operating from its main base in Hotan during the conflict. They are now maintaining around 25 fighter aircraft there. This is much higher than what they used to keep earlier, top government sources told India Today.
Indian agencies are closely monitoring the development and Indian agencies responsible are prepared for any eventuality, they said.
China is also developing a new fighter aircraft base in Shakche which is expected to strengthen Chinese Air Force along the LAC with India. The Indian side feels that Chinese have realised that the Indian Air Force was able to move faster in the conflict zone than them and that is why they have started working on new airbases.
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has upgraded a number of these bases in recent times, including the construction of hardened shelters, the extension of runway lengths and deployment of additional manpower.
Sources said military airbases under Indian watch include three opposite Eastern Ladakh -- Kashgar, Hotan and Ngari Gunsa. The other bases include Shigatse, Lhasa Gongkar, Nyingchi and Chamdo Pangta, the sources added.
The US Army's Pacific Commanding General Charles A Flynn, during his India visit, had raised concerns over the defence infrastructure being built by China along its border with India in Ladakh as "alarming".
