China has five airbases, extensive rail-road networks in Tibet: Antony

[pmaitra]

China has five airbases, extensive rail-road networks in Tibet: Antony

Rajat Pandit, TNN | Mar 7, 2011; Times of India

NEW DELHI: Apart from nuclear missile bases in Qinghai province which clearly target India, China has built five fully-operational airbases, an extensive rail network and over 58,000 km of roads in Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR).

People's Liberation Army is also rapidly upgrading several other airstrips in TAR as well as south China, to add to the five airbases from where Chinese Sukhoi-27UBK and Sukhoi-30MKK fighters have practised operations in recent times.

Moreover, with extensive road-rail links in TAR, PLA can amass upwards of two divisions (30,000 soldiers) at their "launch pads'' along the border in just 20 days now compared to the over 90 days it took earlier.

All this is not strikingly new but, soon after Beijing hiked its annual military budget to $91.5 billion, mounting concern over China's massive build-up of military infrastructure was reflected in Lok Sabha on Monday.

Cutting across party lines, 19 MPs came together to quiz defence minister A K Antony on whether the UPA government was taking "cognizance'' of the "increased Chinese military activities'' along the 4,057-km LAC.

Antony, in a written reply, said "necessary steps'' were being taken in consonance with India's national security concerns. "Military capacity enhancement and modernisation of armed forces is a dynamic process, which takes into account the cumulative challenges envisaged by the nation,'' he said.

"The total road network in TAR is assessed at 58,000 km in 2010. Extension of Qinghai Tibet Railway to Xigaze is in progress. Another railway line from Kashgar to Hotan in Xinjiang Uighur Autonmous Region is under construction,'' he said, adding the five TAR airfields were Gongar, Pangta, Linchi, Hoping and Gar Gunsa.

India is now, albeit belatedly, trying to strategically counter China. Just last week, for instance, saw two new Sukhoi-30MKIs touch down at Chabua airbase in Assam, the second airbase in North-East after Tezpur to house the multi-role fighters. Both airbases will have two Sukhoi squadrons (each has 16 to 18 jets) each.

The Army, on its part, has raised two new mountain infantry divisions, with 1,260 officers and 35,011 soldiers. While the 56 Division has its HQ in Zakama (Nagaland) under the Dimapur-based 3 Corps, the 71 Division at Missamari (Assam) falls in the operational command of the Tezpur-based 4 Corps.

IAF is also upgrading eastern sector ALGs (advanced landing grounds) like Pasighat, Mechuka, Walong, Tuting, Ziro and Vijaynagar as well as several helipads in Arunachal. This comes after the reactivation of western sector ALGs like Daulat Beg Oldi, Fukche and Nyama in eastern Ladakh.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...works-in-Tibet-Antony/articleshow/7648434.cms

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Here`s a clear View..

More Info:
http://defenceforumindia.com/showthread.php?t=17393&page=3

 

[pmaitra]

^^ Looking at some of the PLAAF airbases, I was wondering if Myanmar would allow overflights to the PLAAF in case of hostilities between India and PRC. In case it does, IA and IAF should be ready to carry out punitive actions against Myanmar and bring them down to their knees.

Said that, it would be a challenge for those PLAAF aircraft to take off from the airstrips high up in the Tibetan Plateau. IAF has an advantage here.

 

[Ray]

The concentration of airbases are to the East of India.

It indicates that that is area from where they would release their main air effort to obviate the disadvantage of high altitude and low payloads that would be the case if the effort is mounted from Tibet.

It maybe noted that India is shifting base towards the NE for obvious reasons.

The new extensions of the Tibetan rail link to the West to Hotan is not only to ensure a rapid build up opposite Ladakh, but also to move Xinjiang ores faster to hinterland China as also to rapidise the Han demographic changes desired to Sinicise the Uighur population.

The rail link to Shiagtse is to ensure rapid build up towards Yadong Valley.

 

[JBH22]

Any idea if the mountain divisions got better gear?

 

[pmaitra]

Any idea if the mountain divisions got better gear?

Here you go:

• Thread: PLA Vs Indian Army On LAC (** READ THE FIRST POST** )
• Thread: PLAAF Offensive Combat readiness against India. ( ** READ THE FIRST POST** )

 

[Iamanidiot]

I thought Air Force is not of much use in the TAR

 

[Kunal Biswas]

I thought Air Force is not of much use in the TAR

The use of Air-Power is important for both sides,

For PLAAF:

Use of Air-power to archive Air-superiority by disabling Indian Airbases and Fighters on Ground..
Use of Air-Power to destroy Indian Fortifications and help to speed up Infantry and Armour to archive key objectives.. ( TYPICAL BLITZKRIEGS STYLE )


For IAF:

Destruction of Key Enemy Supply routes in Tibet which disable PLA logistical chain hence stopping the Advance..
Destruction of few PLA Airbases Over Tibet, So Air-superiority can be archived over Conflict zone..
CAS for troops on Ground once Air - Superiority is archived..


Conclusion:

PLAAF objectives Over N.E are almost impossible considering its a IAF`s hornet nest and the range of PLAAF strike forces bases, IA & IAF have the most important advantage of having Nature on our side ( Geography of terrain is suitable for us ), Despite having mass no of Equipment PLA Cannot push them all together inside Indian terrain coz of few narrow Routes over mountain region..

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Any idea if the mountain divisions got better gear?

U will find this interesting.
Date is 2009

While the Indian Air Force (IAF) is going ahead with the expansion, development and re-activation of its airstrips and advanced landing grounds (ALGs) in the northeast, amongst its first preparations to counter its powerful neighbour, the Indian Army too has put in place the functioning of its first new Mountain Division in the northeast, overlooking China. The Zakhama-based 56 Mountain Division, in Nagaland, started functioning last month, as did the Dibang-based 46 Brigade and the Lekhapani-based 22 Brigade under it. One more Division will come up shortly.

An Officer told People's Post, "More Brigades will be subsequently raised under the Div, and soon new cadres will be required. Around 18 new battalions are needed under the two new Divs, which would come up in the future, while as of now units from within, all over the Indian Army, are moving in to ensure the functioning of the Divisions, as infantry units keep moving throughout the country in peace and field."

Close to the Sino-Indian border, the 22 Brigade in Lekhapani (at the Assam-Arunachal border) is part of 56 Div and comes under the command and control of the Dimapur-based 3 Corps, but there is talk about the 22 Brigade moving under the 2 Division in Dinjan, in Nagaland, in future.

One more additional mountain division, the 71 div, will also begin functioning shortly and will come under the command and control of the Tezpur-based 4 Corps.

The first General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 56 Div is Major General R N Singh, while the 22 Brigade is being commanded by Brigadier R K Singh. A source told People's Post that basically these divisions will have infantry elements, but some armoured assets too will form part of them at a later stage.

While the 66 armoured regiment at the Indo-Bangladesh border was moved some years ago, for the protection of the Siliguri corridor, which took care of the armoured needs of the east and the northeast, it is believed that elements of the same regiment would be in use as of now for the northeast, till light tanks are bought for high altitude. The Indian Army has plans to buy around 300 light tanks, about 22 tonnes, for high altitude, mainly for the China-centric Karu-based 3rd Div, and also has massive plans to increase its armoured presence in the North Sikkim plateau. After there have been reports of increased Chinese PLA patrolling and of incursions at the Finger Area, the decision to replace the lighter armoured vehicles with T-72 tanks was taken earlier this year. Soon BMPs and light tanks too would be mobilised in the area, which is at an altitude of 10,000-11,000 feet.

The Indian army's 3rd Division in Karu overlooks China, and has just one mechanised infantry unit, with around 52 BMP-2 ICVs (infantry combat vehicles).

Also one of the brigades in the Allahabad-based 4 Div will be converted soon into an armoured brigade, while the other two brigades in the division would remain infantry brigades. The 4 Div is for the western sector and mainly overlooks Pakistan. An officer said that the move was being taken for rapidisation, as the 4 Div was part of 2 Corps, which is a 'Strike' Corps. The brigade will have two armoured and two mechanised units.

While the location of the 71 Div, to come up in the northeast, is being decided, the 56 Div and its two Brigades will undergo a proper formation as per the orbat (order of battle) once the cadres come in and the exact locations are decided. An officer explained, "Re-orbatting will take place depending on the roles of the brigades, which can change their locations in future and the mobility of the battalions will be based on their area of responsibilty, role, assets available and the feasibility of these new formations, given the present conditions." Troops and officers to be recruited in large numbers is under consideration, for which adequate measures are being taken.

The Army's AG branch is working towards raising troops while the second officer training academy of the army (OTA) is coming up in Gaya, Bihar.

Lekhapani, chiefly inhabited by Tangsa Naga tribes, is a small town located at the Assam-Arunachal border, at the foothills of Patkai Hills, near Tinsukia. Dibang, bordering with north China, has mainly the Adi and Idu tribes.

I think we all know abt our arty situation and Light tank progress, These two key elements are in need and they are delayed..


Abt the alternatives we are in use for now, Is posted here:

Here you go:

• Thread: PLA Vs Indian Army On LAC (** READ THE FIRST POST** )
• Thread: PLAAF Offensive Combat readiness against India. ( ** READ THE FIRST POST** )

 

[JBH22]

@KUNAL thanks ...........

 

[sandeepdg]

Neighbourhood - The PLAAF in Tibet
By Air Marshal (Retd) Narayan Menon, Bangalore


China's military capability in and around Tibet Autonomous Region and its implications for the IAF

Despite the high decibel rhetoric flowing from both sides on territorial claims and counterclaims, it is unlikely India and China will be involved in a shooting war in the near future as both countries concentrate on economic growth and domestic issues. The meeting between the Prime Ministers of the two countries in Thailand on October 24 has cooled the temperature somewhat. But, while China follows the "24 character strategy" propounded by Deng Xiao Ping, India would do well to remember General Sundarji's wise words, "Being weak is not virtuous, being prepared is not provocative."

A 4,000 km long border between India and China remains unsettled due to historical reasons. After China assimilated Tibet into the Peoples' Republic and India accepted this fact, many areas along the border remain disputed despite endless but fruitless joint meetings between the representatives of the two countries.

Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) is the shrunken remains of a much larger Tibet. It is 1,222,000 sq km in area with Xingjiang Uyghur Autonomous region to its north. In its east are the provinces of Sichuan and Yunnan. In the south are Myanmar, India, Bhutan and Nepal. To its west lies more Indian territory. It has an average elevation of 4,900 m and the Tibetan Plateau is the highest region on earth. It is isolated by the Himalayan ranges to the south, Karakoram ranges to the west and Kunlun Mountains to the north. South TAR is situated entirely in the Himalayas with Mount Everest at 8,850 m being the highest peak. Kailash range, an offshoot of the Himalayas, branches off to the north and then runs parallel to the main chain. Between Kailash range and the main chain is a river valley that extends 1,000km. Brahmaputra river flows from west to east along a major part of this valley. The Ganges, Indus and Sutlej rivers have their headwaters in Western Tibet, while those of Mekong, Yangtze and Huang Ho (Yellow River) rivers are in Northern Tibet.

TAR is divided into seven Prefectures with capital Lhasa being a City Prefecture. There are 2.7 million Tibetans in TAR and an additional 2.7 million in adjacent areas. In contrast, the Chinese Han population is estimated at 7.2 million. The ratio of Tibetans to Han in the cities of TAR is 1:3, while the Tibetans are the majority in rural areas. There is simmering discontent among the Tibetans about this creeping 'Sinocisation' of TAR through Han migration and economic marginalisation of the native population.

Chinese Presence & Power

China has constructed 14 major airbases in the Tibetan Plateau and there are about 20 airstrips like those in Arunachal Pradesh. China's People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has established bases at Hoping, Pangta, Shiquanhe, Bayixincun (in Central Tibet opposite Arunachal Pradesh) and Kong Ka. There are two airfields at Lhasa, airfields at Shannan, Xigaze and an additional four in the sector which can be made operational quickly. Many have runways of 4,000 m length. A major airfield has been constructed at Nyingtri at Linzhi in SE TAR. Lhasa is connected to Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Xian and Xinin by domestic flights. There are a few international flights also. Most airfields can accommodate operations by civil aircraft of the Boeing 767 and Airbus 340 class. China has the capability to transfer 12 divisions in 30 days into the TAR from other regions.

Beijing's vastly improved heavy lift capability over long distances was demonstrated during the Exercise Stride-2009. In this largest ever tactical exercise conducted by Chinese armed forces, 50,000 troops were moved from five provinces in 13 days to North East China. Troops opposite Taiwan or those in Beijing Province were not deployed. Chengdu province opposite India did not participate in the exercise. PLAAF aircraft and requisitioned civil airliners were employed for this massive airlift. Rail transportation was also used to move heavy weapons on flat bed trailers with troops travelling in passenger coaches. Those participating in Stride-2009 included People's Liberation Army (PLA) infantry, PLAAF, Special Operations Units, army aviation troops, electronic warfare companies, photo reconnaissance units, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle groups, and short wave interference stations. China's indigenous satellite navigation and positioning system, BEIDOU, was utilised for communications during the exercise to maintain confidentiality and more importantly, to avoid dependence on foreign systems.

While Tibet was not activated during Stride-2009, a message was conveyed to China's neighbours and the rest of the world that Beijing has the capability to move large military formations in compressed time periods. The rail line from Golmud in Qinghai to Lhasa, completed in 2006, adds a new dimension to China's build-up in TAR. This 1,142 km long rail line, laid over permafrost, connects Lhasa to Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou and Xining. The over 4,000 km run from Lhasa to Beijing is covered in about 48 hours. China has plans to build 13,000 km of high speed rail tracks by 2012. Of this, 185 km has been completed. These tracks are compatible with trains running at speeds in the region of 350 kmph. The tracks over permafrost can accept speeds of up to 120 kmph. There is the danger of climate change processes affecting the longevity of the tracks laid on permafrost and these are also vulnerable to heat creating munitions.

China has plans to extend the rail network up to the Tibetan town of Dromo, which is near Nathu La and Sikkim. China is deploying ICBMs DF-31 and DF-31A at Delingha which lies north of Tibet and these can target the entire Indian sub-continent. The Karakoram Highway is to be widened to 30 m from the present 10 m to permit heavy vehicles to negotiate this route. While ostensibly for augmenting the carrying capacity from Karachi port into China, the military implications are obvious.

http://spsaviation.net/story_issue.asp?Article=379

 

[sesha_maruthi27]

Well we too have started upgrading our Air-Bases along the chinese borders and already Su-30 MKI's have been landed at the Noth-eastern base.

 

[Singh]

Mr Midget Antony so what are you doing about it ?

 

[sesha_maruthi27]

Mr Midget Antony so what are you doing about it ?

Mr.Antony is thinking about what to think to counter the chinese strategy and also he is thinking to upgrade the air-bases. He just keeps on thinking about what he thinks to do. There is a lot of thinking done by our babus and no action or implementation of the action takes place. They just say that they are going to do this and that. By the time they do anything the enemy will have reached our capital, but still they say that our enemies are being given a strong defence by our soldiers. This is what happend in the year 1962 and this is going to happen in the future too, if the present GoI persists the slow upgradation process of our DEFENCE FORCES.

 

[sandeepdg]

Mr Midget Antony so what are you doing about it ?

Not much, other than freaking out and pissing in his lungi.

 

[JBH22]

Mr Midget Antony so what are you doing about it ?

Whining,speaking in a totally incomprehensible language and playing the usual blame game.