China deploys Su-27 fighters in Tibet, can target key Indian air bases

Lions Of Punjab

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China deploys Su-27 fighters in Tibet, can target key Indian air bases | idrw.org

China's all-weather fighter base in Tibet is now widening its range of options in the event of a conflict with India. Intelligence intercepts and satellite monitoring has confirmed that China may have to some extent overcome Tibet's extreme altitude and temperatures to operationalise an all-weather airfield near the Tibetan capital Lhasa.

The airfield is Gonkar, where China has deployed Su-27 fighters. Sources told CNN-IBN that the Gonkar airfield will enable Chinese fighters to widen their selection of Indian targets from Ladakh to Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. Sources say Gonkar is a direct response to the Indian Air Force stationing Su-30MKI fighters in Chabua and Tezpur in Assam. These fighters with a combat radius of about 1,000 km can hit targets deep in Tibet and mainland China.

"I would say the development of Gonkar airfield started well before the upgradation by us of our defence infrastructure, which has taken off only in the past five to seven years. Gonkar started off much earlier, they had started building underground hangars and defence and began positioning their fighter aircraft there," former RAW officer Jaidev Ranade said.

The Chinese Air Force Su-27 fighters were observed in the winters and now with the onset of summer, they are still there, which suggests that China has built up infrastructure for their support.

It is advantage China since Gonkar is at an altitude of 16,000 feet. The fighters can take off only with less weapons payload or fuel. China has probably solved the problem by stationing an aerial refuelling aircraft at Gonkar or nearby. This will increase the range and endurance of the Su-27s.

With recent developments at Raki Nala in eastern Ladakh, the implications are clear. China has been engaged in a deliberate upping of the diplomatic and military pressure on India, probing for weaknesses, testing India's resolve with the expectation that India will blink and back down.
 

Abhijeet Dey

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Re: China deploys Su-27 fighters in Tibet, can target key Indian air b

If MMRCA deal with Dassault Aviation for Rafale fails in the coming future then India should fastrack development of SR-SAM Maitri missile with France and should also deploy more MR-SAM Akash missile which is already in service. If PLAAF uses airspace of Nepal then India should give a stern warning to it.

:lca:
 

t_co

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Re: China deploys Su-27 fighters in Tibet, can target key Indian air b

If MMRCA deal with Dassault Aviation for Rafale fails in the coming future then India should fastrack development of SR-SAM Maitri missile with France and should also deploy more MR-SAM Akash missile which is already in service. If PLAAF uses airspace of Nepal then India should give a stern warning to it.

:lca:
I have no idea why the PLAAF would want to use the airspace of Nepal, or why Nepal would consent to such a move.

What's much more likely is the inclusion of standoff weaponry on those Su-27/J-11/J-11B/Su-30 platforms that lets them hit GPS-designated targets in Indian border regions without ever leaving Chinese airspace. Such a capability would give nightmares to IAF planners as they would need to keep an AWACS in the air, peering into Chinese airspace, 24/7, giving China loads of free ELINT on how to track, fool, and jam Indian radar systems...
 

Abhijeet Dey

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Re: China deploys Su-27 fighters in Tibet, can target key Indian air b

I have no idea why the PLAAF would want to use the airspace of Nepal, or why Nepal would consent to such a move.
China has already mentioned that they will use their $ 3 Trillion foreign exchange reserves to buy influence around the world including countries in South Asia.
 

t_co

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Re: China deploys Su-27 fighters in Tibet, can target key Indian air b

China has already mentioned that they will use their $ 3 Trillion foreign exchange reserves to buy influence around the world including countries in South Asia.
Right, but China doesn't need Nepal's airspace to hit Indian assets. It's unnecessary.
 

no smoking

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Re: China deploys Su-27 fighters in Tibet, can target key Indian air b

China has already mentioned that they will use their $ 3 Trillion foreign exchange reserves to buy influence around the world including countries in South Asia.
You should understand the difference between influence and "alliance in the war".
 

Armand2REP

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Re: China deploys Su-27 fighters in Tibet, can target key Indian air b

J-11s are pretty useless except as low level bombers.
 

pmaitra

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Re: China deploys Su-27 fighters in Tibet, can target key Indian air b

Stationing of Sukhoi-27 near Lhasa by PLAAF is more of a defensive act IMHO, but I like it that the media is playing it as a threat to India, if it stimulates India to spend more, i.e..
 

Ray

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Re: China deploys Su-27 fighters in Tibet, can target key Indian air b

Su 27 supermanoeuverable fighter aircraft.

One wonders if it is only for defence of Tibet if this is anything to go by:

On 7 February 2013, two Su-27s briefly entered Japanese airspace off Rishiri Island near Hokkaido, flying south over the Sea of Japan before turning back to the north.

One should note that it has a 3,530-kilometre (1,910 nmi) range, heavy armament, sophisticated avionics and high manoeuvrability.

Whilst one need not get alarmed, but the Chinese are not known to be Shaligrams playing kanchi golis.

One should observe with due diligence and concern and be prepared.

Or else, one will be surprised by the way the 19km stroll taken by the PLA, just because they wanted some exercise as the GoI would like us to believe!

The Ladakhi ex MP Stobdan's commentary is important to take note of.
 
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Armand2REP

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Re: China deploys Su-27 fighters in Tibet, can target key Indian air b

Not necessarily. Su-27 is still a potent platform.
Not as a ground attack option. The Su-27SK as bought from Russia doesn't have PGM capability. Some added KH-31 pods but those missiles are long past expired. PLAAF LGBs have such short range you might as well dive bomb the target. :rofl:
 

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