China’s air power expansion along LAC revealed in latest satellite images

China has increased the number of airfields along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) since 2020. This expansion has bolstered the military's capabilities, enabling a broader spectrum of operations and serving as a means to counter India's relative strengths in specific domains, according to an analysis of satellite imagery.

As per a report by HT, since the commencement of the military standoff on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in May 2020, significant transformations have taken place on the ground. China has undertaken a substantial expansion of airfields, helipads, railway facilities, missile bases, roads, and bridges. These developments serve two main purposes: facilitating the rapid deployment of troops and establishing a variety of offensive capabilities.

An examination of satellite images, exclusively shared with Hindustan Times by Planet Labs, reveals notable expansions made by China at airfields in Hotan, Ngari Gunsa, and Lhasa.

These expansions include the construction of new runways, fortified shelters designed to safeguard combat jets, and the establishment of additional support and military operations structures.

The selection of these three Chinese airfields for analysis was based on their strategic positioning across important areas on the Indian side and their active involvement in ongoing operations amidst the standoff between China and India. This standoff has significantly strained bilateral relations, reaching the lowest point in the past six decades.

A violent clash in Galwan Valley in June 2020 resulted in the unfortunate deaths of 20 Indian soldiers and an undisclosed number of Chinese troops. This marked the first loss of life along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in 45 years.

Indian officials refrained from providing comments on the analysis.

However, India has consistently emphasized to China, both during bilateral engagements and meetings on international platforms this year, the significance of restoring normalcy along the LAC for maintaining regular and healthy bilateral relations.

Situated approximately 400km away from Leh, the capital of Ladakh in India, the Hotan airfield in southwestern Xinjiang has not witnessed any expansion since 2002. A satellite image captured in June 2020 indicated the absence of any ongoing construction or development near the airfield, while revealing the presence of an existing aircraft apron hosting combat jets.

Ngari Gunsa airfield, situated in the Tibet Autonomous Region, is approximately 200km away from Pangong Lake, a site that has witnessed multiple clashes between Indian and Chinese forces. The Chinese side is currently constructing a crucial bridge in that area. Ngari Gunsa airfield became operational in 2010 and underwent expansion following the 2017 standoff at Doklam. During that period, combat jets were stationed at the airfield.

In a satellite image captured in June 2020, only one aircraft apron with combat jets was observed at Ngari Gunsa airfield. However, a subsequent image from May of this year reveals notable developments, including the construction of a new taxiway and improvements made to the runway.

Additionally, at least 16 new hardened aircraft shelters have been erected, along with newly established aircraft and military operations support buildings. UAVs are also seen operating from this airfield. Ngari Gunsa has played a crucial role as a logistics hub for Chinese forces, serving as a key link between areas located south of Aksai Chin and deployments deeper within Tibet.

The airport in Lhasa, the administrative capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region, has historically been a facility with both civilian and military applications. While it is not situated in the western sector of the LAC, it is positioned within a distance of less than 250km, in a straight line, from Tawang, which holds significant importance in Chinese claims within the eastern sector.

In May 2020, a satellite image displayed combat jets stationed on an existing aircraft apron at the Lhasa airport. However, a more recent image from May of this year revealed ongoing construction activities, including the development of a new runway and apron. Notably, at least 30 new hardened aircraft shelters have been constructed, accompanied by newly established support buildings.

Over the past few years, satellite imagery has also depicted the construction of underground facilities situated south of the Lhasa airfield. Additionally, a radar and electronic warfare unit, as well as an air defense unit, have been observed in the vicinity of the airport, as captured by the satellite imagery.

According to Damien Symon, a researcher specializing in geo-intelligence at The Intel Lab, the advancements witnessed at these three airfields and other locations near the border signify China's strategic objective of enhancing its military capabilities to counterbalance India's advantages in the region.

“The ongoing construction activities, along with significant and diverse deployments at these sites, including the use of UAVs and advanced aircraft, underscore China’s efforts to enhance its offensive capabilities, especially in light of the active border situation with India,” he said.

“It is crucial to recognise these developments fundamentally transform the dynamics of air warfare, extending China’s operational range and presenting challenges to India’s deterrence strategies,” Symon added.

Retired Air Vice Marshal Manmohan Bahadur, who has experience serving in the Ladakh region, noted that China has utilized the past three years to devise strategies to neutralize the comparative advantages held by the Indian Air Force (IAF) in the area.

“The IAF could carry the war to them because of these advantages. Most of the Indian airbases are along the foothills and the aircraft could take off with larger [weapons] payload,” Bahadur said.

According to retired Lieutenant General Rakesh Sharma, who previously commanded the Ladakh corps overseeing Kargil, Siachen glacier, and eastern Ladakh, several Chinese airfields along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) initially lacked hardened aircraft shelters, extensive runways, and ammunition storage facilities.

“They have got over this problem. Their runways are longer, the aircraft are safe and can take off with heavier payloads,” Sharma said.

“This is all part of a planned move. There are reports that the Chinese side has positioned a substantial number of cruise missiles in this area that can be used against targets up to 2,000 km away,” he added.

According to Sim Tack, a geo-intelligence analyst at Force Analysis, the presence of hardened shelters at each Chinese airbase could affect India's ability to deter or defend against Chinese air power. Tack explained that these shelters not only enhance the survivability of Chinese aircraft deployed within the disputed territories, making it more challenging to launch effective strikes against them, but they also serve the purpose of concealing the actual presence of fighter jets. Storing the aircraft under cover allows China to better hide their deployments or the absence thereof at these forward airbases.

This can result in India expending additional resources to assess Chinese air power in the region, he added.

The Indian side, Bahadur said, depended on “deterrence by punishment” and the new and expanded airfields and air defence capabilities would dilute this capability.

According to Sharma, the Chinese facilities have significantly altered the nature of air warfare in the region.

“From Kashgar [in Xinjiang], Chinese jets can overfly Gilgit-Baltistan and Srinagar is in range. The airfields in Tibet Autonomous Region are a bonus that have taken away a portion of India’s advantage,” he added.

Despite engaging in over twenty-five rounds of military and diplomatic discussions, India and China have been unable to resolve all the disputes in the Ladakh sector of the LAC.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has emphasized that the normalization of bilateral relations is contingent upon achieving peace and tranquility along the border.