In a move to tackle the Dragon and its vicious posturing in the India- China Border, the Indian Air Force is mulling to take control of three airstrips in Uttarakhand. This move, according to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan, will strengthen the capabilities of the IAF in the area, a reputed media agency reported. The CDS made this announcement on November 25, 2023.
The Airstrips
The airstrips are in Pithoragarh in the Kumaon Hills and Dharasu and Gaucher in the Garhwal Hills. General Chauhan explained that these airstrips are currently on lands owned by state governments. The central government wants the armed forces to take over. This would not only be strategically important for the military but would also improve the conditions for air travel to the local people.
The IAF (Indian Air Force) is in the process of taking over these airstrips following the acceptance of a proposal from the state government. These airstrips will increase IAF operational capabilities in the central sector opposite China, leading to faster mobilisation in times of war and faster logistics movement.
General Chauhan also talked about how the armed forces help local communities in border states. He mentioned that in states such as Ladakh, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh, the forces buy products from the locals, like milk and fresh foods from cooperatives. He added that these practices, which were not previously done in the Himalayan States of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, will also start in these states. The Indian Army will buy local products from cooperatives from cooperative there to support them.
Finally, the CDS said that the Indian Army’s Operation Sadbhavna, which includes running schools and building infrastructure in Ladakh, had been extended to Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand since last year. This extension will help bring the benefits of these programs to these states, too.
Previous Requests
On July 23, 2020, the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Trivendra Singh Rawat, sent a proposal to the centre urging the Indian Air Force to prepare at least three Advanced Landing Grounds (ALG) in three areas and airstrips such as Uttarkashi, Chamoli and Pithoragarh for both civilian as well as military purposes.
The Chinyali Saud Airstrip in Uttarkashi, if fully developed, could help in the landing of heavy-duty aircraft such as the C-17 Globemaster C-130J Hercules. The strategic importance of this strip can be understood from the fact that the Chinese border is only 25 km from this place, and the nearest Chinese Air Force base is 125 km from the base.
The Indian Air Force utilised this airstrip during operation Gagan Shakti a couple of years ago, and the fighter aircraft of the force frequently fly over this area to patrol along the border with China. Similarly, the airstrip in Gaucher is also proposed to be extended like the Chowk Attya airstrip in the Pithoragarh district, nestled in the Kumaon hills.
