IAF to convert Kargil Airport into air base

[bhramos]

Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Monday said the IAF is planning to convert Kargil airport into a full-fledged air force base in the state.

"Indian Air Force is planning to convert Kargil airport into a full-fledged air force base in Jammu and Kashmir," state Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather told the legislative Assembly in reply to a query of PDP member Peerzada Mansoor Hussain.



Rather, who presented the budget in the Assembly today, said, "Kargil airport is to be extended by 1,500 feet. The work is being assigned to the Defence Ministry."

The development work of the Kargil Air Force base will commence once the land issuance is settled, he said, adding that a high-level team from the central government is expected to visit Kargil shortly to draw a road map for resolution of all connected issues.

IAF to convert Kargil Airport into air base

is it safe to have base such close to Border???
i mean they are to risk of short range Missile attack or may be even Artillery attack......

 

[Ray]

If the current ALG is to be converted, it can be observed from the Pakistani posts.

 

[bhramos]

If the current ALG is to be converted, it can be observed from the Pakistani posts.

it is easily vulnerable to SAM's, Arty, Mortar, and even just a Gun Fire..

 

[Kunal Biswas]

it is easily vulnerable to SAM's, Arty, Mortar, and even just a Gun Fire..

How far it is from LOC ?

 

[IBRIS]

How far it is from LOC ?

Roughly about 8 miles from LOC. IAF is probably trying to lesson it's response time towards Karakoram mountains. Our uninvited eastern neighbor might get tired of sonic booms.

it is easily vulnerable to SAM's, Arty, Mortar, and even just a Gun Fire..

Mortars from across border falling on IAF base will call for a another quick skirmish, which PakRangers might not be able to handle, given the state of their country.

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Roughly about 8 miles from LOC. IAF is probably trying to lesson it's response time towards Karakoram mountains. Our uninvited eastern neighbor might get tired of sonic booms.Mortars from across border falling on IAF base will call for a another quick skirmish

No Mortar have range of +12km ( PAK ) from that part of LOC, And there are no place for towed arty from that direction..

The airbase is primarily for Logistic supplies and Recon helos and in future for Light Gunships..

 

[Kunal Biswas]

It was a namesake Airport but always used mainly for Army and Air-force..

 

[IBRIS]

No Mortar have range of +12km ( PAK ) from that part of LOC, And there are no place for towed arty from that direction..

The airbase is primarily for Logistic supplies and Recon helos and in future for Light Gunships..

There is possibily of taking the Artillery near the border either into separate pieces or could be transported by transport helis. Nothing is impossible, even Indian Army did it in 1947-48.

 

[Kunal Biswas]

There is possibily of taking the Artillery near the border either into separate pieces or could be transported by transport helis. Nothing is impossible, even Indian Army did it in 1947-48.

Indian Army did in 1948 but what type of arty and to be precious where exactly ?



The part of LOC you indicate ( 8 miles ) is not possible, Yes towed arty can be carried by helo but not in that terrain,

Animals can carry arty in parts but you need space to assemble it under natural cover which is not possible there..

 

[aerokan]

It's a risky strategy. Any initial attack from the other side would give pak advantage of surprise. If that base was captured by overwhelming force, it would be easy for the pak troops to get into the inroads using kargil airport as the forward base if captured. But that is an advantage to india as well. If pak attacks and keep focused on kargil base first, then it will give more time for the other bases to prepare for a brutal retaliation.Any deficiencies in my thinking here??

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Advancing with blitz style over mountain is not possible as its all foot soldiers..

Advancing few meters under enemy takes Hours if not days..

 

[Mad Indian]

It's a risky strategy. Any initial attack from the other side would give pak advantage of surprise. If that base was captured by overwhelming force, it would be easy for the pak troops to get into the inroads using kargil airport as the forward base if captured. But that is an advantage to india as well. If pak attacks and keep focused on kargil base first, then it will give more time for the other bases to prepare for a brutal retaliation.Any deficiencies in my thinking here??

No its not. Its not easy to capture a base like Kargil, no matter how much the initial strength is. They will be quickly deposed by the reinforcement. Further, they cant concentrate on Kargil alone, because it will be a tactical blunder. They will find themselves overwhelmed in other fronts and they know it so they wont take a risk like that.

 

[bhramos]

No Mortar have range of +12km ( PAK ) from that part of LOC, And there are no place for towed arty from that direction..

The airbase is primarily for Logistic supplies and Recon helos and in future for Light Gunships..

Artillery can be airlifted if they have primary targets, i think AFB is a primary target and could be got in any night.

 

[bhramos]

No its not. Its not easy to capture a base like Kargil, no matter how much the initial strength is. They will be quickly deposed by the reinforcement. Further, they cant concentrate on Kargil alone, because it will be a tactical blunder. They will find themselves overwhelmed in other fronts and they know it so they wont take a risk like that.

Capturing is different point and tough thing in these mountains, but destroying the the infrastructure is very easy from out side the border.. by arty is very easy..

 

[Ray]

it is easily vulnerable to SAM's, Arty, Mortar, and even just a Gun Fire..

Arty.

Check the last Kargil War reports.

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Artillery can be airlifted if they have primary targets, i think AFB is a primary target and could be got in any night.

Read Post number #9

Due to the height of the terrain this cannot be done..

 

[p2prada]

I guess this may act as a Forward Air Base or perhaps for casualty evac in case of a similar Pak misadventure as in 1999.

We can have Bisons in the air in 30 seconds.

This move takes away civilian control. So, it may only be aimed at that.