New Heliport Near the LAC Arunachal Pradesh Region Heightens Military Tensions
China’s construction of a new heliport, located about 20 kilometers east of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) near the Arunachal Pradesh region known as ‘Fishtails,’ has sparked fresh concerns about Beijing’s growing military presence along the disputed border. According to satellite images and reports, this new facility is situated in Tibet’s Nyingchi Prefecture, near the Gongrigabu Qu River, and is seen as part of China’s broader efforts to strengthen its military infrastructure in the region.
This heliport, despite being on undisputed Chinese territory, has raised alarm in India due to its proximity to the contentious Fishtails region. The heliport’s strategic positioning will significantly enhance the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) operational capabilities, allowing China to deploy troops and equipment more rapidly, particularly in remote and rugged terrain.
Satellite Images Reveal Rapid Construction Progress
Open-source satellite data from EOS Data Analytics and Maxar shows that the construction of the heliport began in December 2023, with land clearing commencing by the end of the month. By mid-September 2024, the facility had made substantial progress, with satellite imagery revealing completed hangars, additional structures under construction, and a fully operational runway measuring 600 meters long.
Military experts believe this new development will give China an edge in circumventing logistical challenges in high-altitude areas. The heliport, located at an altitude of 5,000 feet (1,500 meters), will allow helicopters to carry more payload compared to operations at higher altitudes like the Tibetan plateau. This relatively low elevation gives China an operational advantage, enabling rapid deployment and logistical support in a region critical to border security.
Strategic Implications for India: Increased Military Readiness
While the heliport is technically located within Chinese territory, its construction has significant strategic implications for India, particularly in the disputed border areas. The Fishtails region, split into Fishtail 1 near Dibang Valley and Fishtail 2 in Arunachal Pradesh’s Anjaw district, has long been a flashpoint in the ongoing Indo-China border dispute.
The new heliport enhances China’s ability to quickly mobilize forces along the border and expands its reach into sensitive areas. Experts like Damien Symon, a geospatial intelligence analyst, note that this facility will improve China’s capacity for intelligence gathering, reconnaissance, and patrolling, making the PLA more efficient in monitoring the region. With helicopter operations now streamlined, China can deploy troops more rapidly, posing a potential challenge to India’s border security.
Dual-Use Infrastructure: A Long-Term Strategic Play
This latest development is part of a broader Chinese strategy known as “salami slicing,” where China makes incremental advances in disputed territories to alter the status quo without initiating large-scale military conflicts. The construction of dual-use infrastructure, such as heliports and villages, is central to this approach. These facilities are designed to serve both military and civilian purposes, allowing China to solidify its territorial claims gradually.
Similar tactics have been employed by China in other regions, notably in Bhutan, where Beijing has constructed entire townships and road networks in previously uninhabited border areas. In doing so, China strengthens its administrative control over disputed regions, effectively changing the ground reality without engaging in direct confrontation.
China’s Broader Border Strategy: Xiaokang Villages
China’s construction of the heliport near the LAC aligns with its long-term strategy of building “Xiaokang” or well-off villages along the border. These settlements serve dual purposes, acting as civilian hubs while also being equipped to support military activities. By establishing these villages in sensitive areas, China enhances its logistical and military readiness while also creating new realities on the ground that make it difficult for neighboring countries to challenge its territorial claims.
This approach of building dual-use villages has been a consistent feature of China’s border strategy. By slowly expanding its infrastructure in disputed areas, Beijing hopes to strengthen its claims without triggering outright conflict. This heliport is a key component of China’s plans to increase its presence along the Indo-China border and further complicate the geopolitical dynamics in the region.
A Strategic Challenge for India
The construction of the new heliport near the Fishtails region underscores China’s continued military expansion along the Indo-China border, heightening tensions in an already volatile region. While the heliport is technically on undisputed Chinese territory, its strategic implications for India are undeniable. The facility boosts China’s ability to rapidly mobilize troops, conduct reconnaissance, and improve its logistical capabilities in a region crucial to both countries.
India will need to closely monitor the situation and reassess its own military posture along the LAC to counterbalance China’s growing presence. As China continues to fortify its border infrastructure through a mix of military and civilian projects, India faces the challenge of ensuring its own border security without escalating tensions into a full-blown conflict.
With the completion of the heliport nearing, New Delhi must remain vigilant and prepared for the strategic shifts that China’s military developments could bring to the region. The construction of dual-use infrastructure like the heliport marks another chapter in the ongoing Indo-China border tensions, with both nations striving to assert their dominance in this contested area.
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