2024-07-04 18:55:49
Beijing: China’s fifth-generation stealth fighter jet J-20 Mighty Dragon has recently been seen in satellite images standing at Shigatse Air Base in Tibet. Along with this, J-10 fighter aircraft has also been deployed. The deployment of these two most dangerous fighter aircraft of China at an altitude of 12,408 feet has increased India’s concern. This deployment of China has promoted comparison between J-20 and India’s Rafale fighter aircraft. Even though China has a much larger number of aircraft than India, this alone does not reflect the real military measure of air power. These include the capabilities of weapons, their deployment, concepts of strategy and operation and most importantly the pilot’s own qualifications and experience.
J-20 is a powerful fighter aircraft of China
The Chinese J-20 is touted as a counter to the US F-22, with the ability to carry long-range air-to-air missiles and weapons to hide inside it. Their presence reflects the People’s Liberation Army Air Force’s (PLAAF) high-end platforms, its ability to use its high-altitude air bases for combat operations, and its growing ability to project air power in the region to counter the Indian Air Force’s forward deployment of Sukhoi and Rafales.
China is giving political signals to India
It is also a political signal that the border dispute with India is no longer a territorial issue but an issue of sovereign airspace. More regular activation of its bases in the future will lead to increased aerial activity over our borders close to disputed areas and more frequent aerial violations to test India’s response. It is also evident that all aircraft are lined up on the open tarmac (parking bays adjacent to the runways), in the absence of any blast-protected airfield infrastructure and scattered hardened aircraft shelters and without any attempt at camouflage.
J-20 deployed for long distance air missions
The conspicuous absence of supporting ground equipment necessary for extended combat operations on and around the tarmac indicates a high likelihood of temporary deployment. The mix of platforms and the presence of the KJ500 underscore the Chinese Air Force’s increasing conduct of complex large missions and growing capabilities to employ airpower over long distances.
China upgraded the infrastructure on the border
Beijing has consistently built a robust border infrastructure to maintain its mobility and logistics support, increased its troop deployment to improve the force ratio, and continued to maintain its political stance with military presence despite 29 sessions of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on the India-China Border. Succumbing to shrill demands for the creation of buffer zones in disputed areas could set a dangerous precedent for future demands for air buffer zones.
What is the biggest threat to India?
This strategically favours the Chinese to restrict the presence and operations of the Indian Air Force in the region. If the current situation is not resolved carefully, the forward airstrips near the border and sovereign airspace over disputed areas may become “no-fly zones”, inaccessible to IAF aircraft for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, AD combat air patrols as well as air mobility and aerial logistics.
Which aircraft are in the Indian Air Force fleet
Currently, India’s core fleet of fourth-generation fighter aircraft comprises Sukhoi Su-30, MiG-29 and Mirage 2000. These have been further strengthened by two squadrons of 4.5 generation Rafales. Rafales have been deployed specifically to counter China. However, many experts believe that two squadrons of Rafales are not enough to protect India. The government is also aware of the Indian Air Force’s dwindling combat airpower inventory, but the lack of readiness to address this strategic importance in India’s continental threat is a matter of serious concern.
India is in dire need of aircraft like Rafale
Given over 7,000 km of hostile borders and the vast amount of sovereign airspace to be defended, two squadrons of 4.5-generation Rafales are nowhere near sufficient to meet our current and future security requirements. To keep China at bay militarily, urgently filling the shortage of Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) to strengthen the number of 4.5-generation aircraft is not just a need of the Indian Air Force but also imperative for national security for multiple reasons.