New Delhi, August 14, 2023: Responding to the aftermath of the Galwan Valley clash in June 2020, where 20 Indian soldiers lost their lives, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has significantly reinforced its presence in eastern Ladakh.
In a massive airlift operation, tens of thousands of troops and an extensive array of military equipment, including tanks, infantry combat vehicles, artillery guns, and surface-to-air guided weapons, were transported to forward areas.
Officials familiar with the matter stated, “The IAF airlifted 68,000 troops, 330 infantry combat vehicles, 90 tanks, and several artillery guns to forward locations in eastern Ladakh. Things could have escalated after the Galwan episode. It was important to strengthen the deterrent military posture by maintaining credible forces and sustaining them.”
The Western Air Command, the IAF’s largest operational command, spearheaded these efforts, resulting in the transportation of about 9,000 tonnes of equipment over three years.
To enhance the air defense network, the IAF strategically deployed surface-to-air guided weapons and radars to forward locations. Officials noted, “The airlift of surface-to-air guided weapons capable of striking targets at short range and up to 100 km, and radars was 1.5 times more than the normal tasking.”
Furthermore, helicopters played a pivotal role in the deployment of radars, facilitating continuous monitoring of Chinese activities across the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
To maintain operational readiness, the IAF had Rafales, Sukhoi-30s, and MiG-29s on standby for quick response scenarios. The air force also demonstrated its capacity for day-and-night, all-weather combat missions in the Ladakh sector.
Despite multiple rounds of disengagement talks, significant troops and advanced weaponry remain deployed in the Ladakh theatre on both sides. As the 19th round of military talks between the Indian Army and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) approaches, tensions continue.
The ongoing efforts reflect India’s commitment to maintaining peace and security in the region while aiming to restore normalcy in India-China relations.
