Near the China border, India activates a new airbase

At a time when Sino-Indian border relations are easing, an Indian airbase close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between China and India has officially become operational.

The Hindustan Times reported that on November 12 local time, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh of the Indian Air Force piloted a C-130J "Super Hercules" transport aircraft to land at the Mound-Niyam airbase in Ladakh, announcing the official activation of this new base located at an altitude of about 13,700 feet (approximately 4,176 meters).

Reuters from the UK noted on the 13th that the base is less than 30 kilometers away from the Sino-Indian Line of Actual Control and is believed to have the capability for fighter jets to take off and land. Last October, both sides reached an agreement on patrolling along the border line of actual control, and this year, Indian Prime Minister Modi made a rare visit to China.

However, several Indian analysts and officials admitted to British media that although there are signs of "freezing", the border between India and China remains under high-intensity military deployment, with both countries continuing to build infrastructure such as roads and airports.

According to the report, the Mound-Niyam airbase is the third key military base in Ladakh, built by the Border Roads Organization (BRO), with an investment of about 218 crore rupees (approximately 174 million Chinese yuan), mainly advanced by a team of female officers.

The base has a runway about 2.7 kilometers long, which is sufficient for fighter jets, transport planes and helicopters to take off and land, with supporting facilities including hangars, air traffic control towers and hardened parking areas.

Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh laid the foundation stone for the Mound-Niyam airbase in September 2023, hailing it as a "game-changer".

The Hindustan Times mentioned that the construction of the base started during the 2020 Sino-Indian border standoff, and was pushed forward by the BRO against the backdrop of tense relations between the two countries, regarded as one of the "most important strategic projects" in Ladakh.

The report said that since the 2020 Sino-Indian border standoff, India has continuously increased its efforts in infrastructure construction in the border area, building multiple highways, bridges, tunnels, airports and helicopter landing pads to enhance troop mobility and logistics support capabilities, while improving living conditions for frontline soldiers and strengthening protection and maintenance of weapons and equipment.

Indian media also strongly affirmed that China has also built new airbases, missile positions, roads, bridges, reinforced shelters and underground facilities on the border side to protect military assets from air attacks, and improve the living conditions of military personnel.

It is known that Niyam airport had been abandoned since the 1962 Sino-Indian border conflict, until September 2009, when the Indian Air Force first landed an An-32 transport plane here, and it was reactivated.

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1848721103780874/

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