More than 68,000 army troops, around 90 tanks, and other weapons systems were transported by the Indian Air Force to eastern Ladakh from across the country for rapid deployment along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) after deadly clashes in the Galwan Valley, major sources told the Defense and Security Agency.
The IAF deployed Su-30 MKI and Jaguar jets for round-the-clock surveillance and intelligence-gathering on enemy reinforcements, in addition to placing several fighter squadrons in "positions". offensive position" after the June 15, 2020 clash, which they say marks the most serious military conflict between the two sides in decades.
Troops and weapons were transported by the IAF's transport team in a "very short period of time" for rapid deployment to various harsh areas along the LAC as part of a special operation, the source said. said. . over the years.
Due to the escalation of tensions, the IAF has also deployed a significant number of remotely piloted aircraft (RPAs) to the area to monitor Chinese activities, they said. As the persistent borderline continues in several hotspots, the Indian Army and IAF have maintained a high level of combat readiness to deal with any challenge from the enemy, the sources said. They said IAF aircraft transported several divisions of the Indian Army, totaling more than 68,000 troops, more than 90 tanks, nearly 330 BMP infantry fighting vehicles, radar systems, cannons, and many other equipment. suffered after the clashes in Galwan.
The total tonnage carried by the IAF's transport fleet, which includes C-130J Super Hercules and C-17 Globemaster aircraft, is 9,000 tons, they added and demonstrates the IAF's growing strategic airlift capabilities.
Several fighter aircraft, including Rafale and Mig-29 aircraft, have been deployed for combat air patrol while many IAF helicopters have been commissioned to transport prefabricated structures. , ammunition, and spare parts for military equipment to mountain bases. The sources said that the surveillance range of the Su-30 MKI and Jaguar fighters is about 50 km and they ensure that the positions and movements of the Chinese military are accurately tracked.
They say the IAF is also rapidly improving its air defenses and combat readiness by installing a variety of radars and delivering a variety of guided surface-to-air weapons to frontline bases along the LAC in the near future. area. The strategy aims to strengthen the military posture, maintain a reliable force, and monitor the enemy's reinforcement to effectively deal with any situation, the sources said, referring to the all-encompassing approach. representation of India.
A source said the IAF platforms have operated under extremely difficult circumstances and achieved all of their mission objectives without providing further details.
Another source said the overall operation demonstrated the IAF's increased airlift capabilities compared to what it had in "Operation Parakram". Following the terrorist attack on Parliament in December 2001, India launched "Operation Parakram", in which it mobilized a large number of troops along the Line of Control. The government has strongly pushed for infrastructure development along the nearly 3,500 km LAC following the standoff in eastern Ladakh. The Ministry of Defense has begun work on improving the overall infrastructure of Nyoma Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) east of Ladakh so that all types of military aircraft can operate there. The military has also taken a series of measures since the clash in the Galwan Valley to strengthen its combat capabilities.
