Monthly Archives: August 2018

Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma visited forward areas along the Sino-Indian border in Ladakh and reviewed the operational and defence preparedness along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), officials said.

On Thursday, Lt Gen Sharma witnessed ‘Exercise AstraShakti’ in the icy heights of the high-altitude areas of the Union Territory, symbolising the readiness, innovation and indomitable spirit of the Northern Command, officials said.

“Lt Gen Pratik Sharma visited forward posts in the Tangtse sector of Eastern Ladakh to review the operational readiness and defence preparedness on Thursday,” they said.

The Northern Army Commander, after being briefed about the prevailing security situation and ongoing developments, complimented the troops for their unwavering commitment, high state of readiness and professional excellence while operating in challenging terrain and extreme climatic conditions.

Reviews operational and defence preparedness

Nyoma’s proximity to the LAC brings it within range of Chinese artillery and smaller tactical drones that are harder to detect, and also makes it prone to electronic warfare

The conversion of a mud airstrip at Nyoma, close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in south-eastern Ladakh, into a full-fledged airbase capable of handling fighter operations, offers several operational and logistics advantages to the Indian Armed Forces, but the base is not without some vulnerabilities.

While there is no official word from the Ministry of Defence or the Indian Air Force on the status of the upgradation works, which were expected to be completed this month, social media is abuzz with reports of the base being operationalised for fighter operations, with some pictures of SU‑30s purportedly operating from the base doing the rounds.

Officially known as the Mudh-Nyoma Advanced Landing Ground (ALG), it lies about 40 km west of the LAC on the banks of the Indus River adjacent to Nyoma village, a tehsil in Leh district. At an altitude of approximately 13,700 feet, it would be the world’s highest fighter-capable airbase.

The airfield was first built in 1962 and remained unutilised till it was reactivated by the IAF in 2009 for operations by transport aircraft. A trial landing by an AN-32 tactical transporter from No. 48 Squadron flying out of Chandigarh was carried on September that year.

The use of Nyoma boosted the Army’s logistics support in the remote region. Apart from helicopters, AN-32 and C-130 Super Hercules have been operating from Nyoma regularly for ferrying troops and bringing in supplies and equipment. Navigation and support facilities remained rudimentary.

After the 2020 stand-off with China along the LAC, the Central Government decided to convert the airstrip into a full-fledged airbase. The project was initiated in 2021 by the Border Roads Organisation’s (BRO) Project Himank at a cost of about Rs 220 crore.

The works include a 3-km long paved runway, air traffic control complex, hangars and blast pens for protection and other administrative and support infrastructure. This would also enable regular operations by strategic airlifters aircraft like the US C-17 and the Russian IL-76, enabling rapid induction of troops as well as heavy equipment like tanks, rockets, air defence systems and artillery guns. It also offers the element of speed and surprise for launching an operation, according to defence experts.

Besides transport aircraft and helicopters, it is expected that detachments from various fighter squadrons would be deployed at Nyoma on a rotational basis. Unmanned aerial vehicles as well as attack helicopters like the Apache, which have been deployed to Ladakh since the stand-off, too could operate from this base regularly.

The permanent stationing of aerial assets at Nyoma, apart from being a deterrence, vis-a-vis China, will also boost surveillance and intelligence gathering operations along the LAC. At present Leh and Thoise, located at altitudes of around 10,000 feet, are the only airfields in Ladakh capable of fighter operations.

While there are other unpaved ALGs like Fukche in Nyoma’s vicinity, the nearest paved airstrip is Leh, over 200 km away to the north, and Thoise, further on, to which heavy equipment earmarked for operations in Ladakh is airlifted. Though the C-17s and IL-76s are capable of operating from unpaved airstrips, there are no such known instances of their undertaking such missions in Ladakh.

Nyoma and Fukche provide logistics support for the sensitive Demchok Sector and Depsang Plains that see frequent Chinese activity and are points of friction between India and China over territorial claims and troop deployments.

On the other hand, some experts say that Nyoma has its vulnerabilities. It is the third highest airfield in Ladakh after Daulat Beg Oldie, the world’s highest strip at 16,800 feet and Fukche at 14,300 feet. This makes it prone to the vagaries of the weather when temperatures dip to minus 40˚C in winters, with heavy snow and strong winds battering the area.

The rarified air degrades engine performance of the aircraft, including fighters, requiring longer runway lengths while reducing payload capacity by almost a half. Storing fuel, oils and lubricants in extreme temperatures and integrity of certain electronic components and avionics is also a problem.

In addition, Nyoma’s proximity to the LAC brings it within range of Chinese artillery and smaller tactical drones that are harder to detect, as well as makes it prone to electronic warfare. Its remote location and limited road access, which is prone to interdiction, is also an issue. Some experts argue that it may lose its advantages after the initial phase of conflict.

Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan Vice Chief of the Navy (right) announcing the ‘Milan 2026’ exercise.

In a significant development, India will host the navies of both US and Russia at maritime exercise named ‘Milan 2026’ at Vishakapatnam in February next year.

Vice Chief of the Navy Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan announced the week-long drills to be conducted from February 19 to 26.

“Both US and Russia have confirmed there presence and will send ships for the exercise,” Vice Admiral Vatsayan said answering questions from the media on Friday.

On being asked if Japan and Australia, both partners in the Quad with India and US, would be part of it, Vice Admiral Vatsayan stated that both countries have also confirmed.

There would be 55 countries at the event.

The exercise will be preceded by an international fleet review at the same venue on February 18. India is hosting its third international fleet review, the earlier ones being in 2001 and 2016.

On Exercise Milan-2026, Vice Admiral Vatsayan said, “This will be one of the largest Maritime exercises. And we expect a very large number of navies to participate in this event.”

The naval exercise will have a harbour phase on February 19 and 20 followed by a highly complex operational, and Sea Phase from February 21 to 25 in the Bay of Bengal.

The Sea Phase will have anti-submarine drills, air operations and sea operations. It will be complex and dynamic, Navy officials explained.

Separately, being asked about Chinese naval ships Indian Ocean, the Navy’s Vice Chief said all Chinese vessels are being tracked.

Kataria to be chief guest at event

o mark 100 years of Indian Hockey, the Hockey Chandigarh will organise a grand Indian Hockey Centenary Celebration on November 7. On this historic occasion, Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator, Gulab Chand Kataria will be the chief guest.

Hockey Chandigarh president Karan Gilhotra, vice president Anil Vohra, and Advisor Shaleen Kapoor called on the Governor and formally invited him to attend the event. The Governor assured his full support for the celebration and said that Chandigarh would create a new chapter in the history of Indian hockey with the celebrations.

Gilhotra shared that the event was being organised with the wholehearted support of the UT Administration, Sports Department, and the Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh.

He said, “Hockey is India’s glorious heritage. The journey that began in 1925 with the formation of the national hockey body now completes a hundred years. It is a proud moment for us that Hockey Chandigarh will be part of this historic celebration. Our aim is to connect the younger generation with the golden legacy of Indian hockey.”

Vohra informed that the programme would commence at 10 am, featuring three exhibition matches — junior and senior boys’ matches, along with a special girls’ match.

The event will witness the presence of hockey legends from India and abroad, including Olympians Deepak Thakur, Rajpal Singh, Baljit Singh, as well as current Indian team captain Sanjay, Maninder Singh, Vikramjit Singh, and junior team captain Rohit.

Gilhotra added that under the leadership of Hockey India, similar centenary celebrations would be held simultaneously across the country to give a new dimension and recognition to Indian hockey.

Japan and Australia also to take part: Vice Admiral

India will host the navies of both the US and Russia at the maritime exercise — Milan 2026 — at Vishakapatnam in February next year.

Vice Chief of the Navy Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan announced the week-long drills to be conducted from February 19 to February 26. “Both the US and Russia have confirmed their presence and will send ships for the exercise,” the Vice Admiral said on Friday.

On being asked if Japan and Australia, both partners in the Quad with India and the US, will be part of it, Vice Admiral Vatsayan said both countries had confirmed their participation. There would be 55 countries in the event.

Regarding the exercise, Vice Admiral Vatsayan said, “This will be one of the largest maritime exercise in the region.”

The naval exercise will have a harbour phase on February 19-20, followed by a highly complex operational sea phase from February 21 to 25 in the Bay of Bengal.

The sea phase will have anti-submarine drills and air and sea operations. The sea phase would be complex and dynamic, Navy officials explained.

When asked about Chinese ships in the Indian Ocean, the Vice Admiral said all such vessels were being tracked.

The exercise is part of the three major international maritime events at Visakhapatnam. It will be preceded by an international fleet review at the same venue on February 18. India is hosting its third international fleet review, the earlier ones being in 2001 and 2016.

The Indian Ocean Naval Symposium Conclave of Chiefs is scheduled from February 15 to February 25. During the symposium, the Indian Navy would assume chairmanship from 2025 to 2027. It will bring together naval chiefs from 25 members, nine observers and specially invited nations to deliberate on maritime security and information sharing.

An International Maritime Seminar will gather maritime strategists, defence officials, academics and industry leaders to discuss contemporary issues, including maritime collaboration, technology and humanitarian support.

Rajnath says our partnership is critical for ensuring a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific region

Ajay Banerjee Tribune News Service

Amid efforts to mend trade relations, India and the US on Friday signed a 10-year defence framework to provide a broader vision and policy direction to deepen bilateral cooperation.

The document, ‘Framework for the US-India Major Defence Partnership’, was signed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh with US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Summit in Malaysia.

“Had a fruitful meeting with my US counterpart in Kuala Lumpur. Defence will remain the major pillar of our bilateral relationship,” Rajnath posted on X.

In a statement, the Ministry of Defence said the two leaders “appreciated the continuing momentum in bilateral defence cooperation and reaffirmed their commitment to further build upon the mutually beneficial partnership across all its pillars”.

They reviewed the ongoing defence issues and the challenges that persisted, and deliberated upon the ongoing defence industry and technology collaborations.

“Both leaders agreed to work together to address the challenges… Hegseth reiterated that India is a priority country for the US in defence cooperation and they are committed to working closely with India to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the statement said.

Rajnath said the defence framework was a signal of growing strategic convergence between the two sides and would herald a new decade of partnership. “Our partnership is critical for ensuring a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific region,” he said. India and the US first signed a 10-year defence framework in 2005 and the second in 2015.

“We are enhancing our coordination, information-sharing and tech cooperation. Our defence ties have never been stronger,” Hegseth posted on X.