Kargil: Implications of a Full-Fledged Air Base for India

[Ganesh2691]

Defence News - Kargil: Implications of a Full-Fledged Air Base for India

In a move that may rattle India's neighbours, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has decided to convert the Kargil airstrip into a full-fledged air force base by 2016. The strip lies close to the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan. The IAF is planning to operate medium, heavy-lift and combat aircrafts from Kargil in the near future. The Kargil War of 1999 saw significant shelling and damage to the airstrip, and converting the airport into a full-fledged air base seems to be a logical response to those loses.

The upgradation of the advanced landing ground (ALG) in Nyoma is also in the pipelines. It is situated in the Leh district of the Ladakh region. The compact airstrip at Nyoma is only 23kms from Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. The expansion plan is part of a series of airfield modernisation projects taken up since the government revised its policy and began upgrading infrastructure along border. The plan of having an air base in Kargil, which shares a border with Pakistan and China can be interpreted as an effort to address the threat posed by both countries simultaneously, and hence of great strategic significance to India.


Protection of Indian Strategic Interests ::

The upgradation of the airstrip by the IAF is to strengthen its capabilities in Ladakh. It can be seen as a step to shore up its offensive and defensive capabilities and operate all types of aircrafts along the border with Pakistan and China in the north and northeastern regions of Jammu and Kashmir. India's military establishment has watched rapid development in Tibet through the construction of roads, airfields, bridges and railways by the Chinese Government and the upgradation of the airstrip can be seen as a response to the Chinese actions.

The Chinese intrusion along the border area of Ladakh can be seen as another factor, which led to the decision of converting the airstrip into a full-fledged air base. In August 2011, two Chinese helicopters, each with seven to eight troopers on board, flew into Indian territory along the LAC in Chumur area of the Ladakh region. This was not the first time that Chinese choppers entered Indian territory. On June 21, 2009, two Chinese choppers reportedly intruded into Chumur, following which military patrolling in the area was stepped up by the Army. The development of a full-fledged air base in Kargil will act as a deterrent to future intrusions and attacks by the immediate neighbours.


The Drawbacks ::

The extreme forward location of this base makes its strategic and operational value extremely dubious, not to mention that it ignores several central tenets of air warfare. To note is that this airstrip is within the shelling range of Pakistani guns and the stationing of multimillion dollar aircrafts within the range of Pakistani artillery raises questions about the strategic planning of the air force. Moreover, the wisdom of stationing aircrafts at such height, thereby reducing both their range and payload, removes a significant air power advantage that India has over China - the Chinese airfields close to the border are all at high altitudes, whereas India has the advantage of the Indo-Gangetic bases, which are at significantly lower altitudes.

This airbase can be viewed as being tactically and strategically inutile. This is due to the fact thatsignificant resources will be expended to eliminate the threat at the very onset of hostilities. Its proximity to the border, and the ability of planes to weave their way through the mountains and evade Indian Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) leave it with little scope for any early warning. India's decision to squander air power advantages in response to Chinese infrastructural activity and border provocations betrays a sense of panic and paranoia within the Indian Air Force.

Some sectors in Jammu and Kashmir see it as a move towards increasing the militarization process in the state. However, it is meant to act as a deterrent to the Pakistani and Chinese threats. Moreover, for the people of Kargil, it carries the possibility of enhancing employment opportunities in the aviation sector.

 

[Yusuf]

The negative aspect pointed out is sure worth pondering over.

 

[W.G.Ewald]

The negative aspect pointed out is sure worth pondering over.

Tan Son Nhut Air Base - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tan Son Nhat Air Base was the target of major communist attacks during the 1968 Tet Offensive. The attack began early on 30 January with greater severity than anyone had expected. When the communists attacked much of the VNAF was on leave to be with their families during the lunar new year. An immediate recall was issued, and within 72 hours, 90 percent of the VNAF was on duty.

The first enemy rounds that hit Tan Son Nhat Air Base struck at approximately 2 a.m. on 30 January. The chapel on the base was one of the early direct hits. The base was under the command of Air Force Colonel Farley Peebles.

If not for the work of the United States Air Force 377th Security Police Squadron and members of the U.S. Army's 3/4 cavalry, in the early hours of the attack the entire base may have been in danger. Four USAF Security Policemen lost their lives at Bunker 051; those four and two other Combat Security Police members received the Silver Star for their valor. The Security Police, despite being outnumbered, with help from the United States Army Helicopter and ground units, killed nearly 1,000 enemy combatants[citation needed]. The base was secured by American and ARVN/VNAF forces by 12 noon on 31 January 1968.

Over the next three weeks, the VNAF flew over 1,300 strike sorties, bombing and strafing communist positions throughout South Vietnam. Transport aircraft from Tan Son Nhat's 33d Wing dropped almost 15,000 flares in 12 nights, compared with a normal monthly average of 10,000. Observation aircraft also from Tan Son Nhat completed almost 700 reconnaissance sorties, with VNAF pilots flying O-1 Bird Dogs and U-17 Skywagons.

 

[agentperry]

i wish i could say der ye durust aye( better late than never) but this is freaking late. kargil was a war- a war!! and still IAF slept or more than a decade