Airlifting troops to tanks, artillery to radar: No let-up in IAF operations in eastern Ladakh

According to officials, the massive transport operations launched by the IAF in the immediate aftermath of the Galwan Valley clashes led to induction of multiple divisions of Army troops.

Since 2020, the IAF’s C-17 Globemaster III and the C-130 J Super Hercules have been undertaking multiple sorties to transport troops and military equipment to the forward bases.

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The Indian Air Force (IAF) has airlifted nearly 70,000 Army troops and heavy platforms like tanks, artillery guns and BMPs weighing over 9,000 tonnes as part of efforts towards enhancing the overall operational preparedness in eastern Ladakh since India and China entered a military standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) three years ago, latest estimates show.

According to officials, the massive transport operations launched by the IAF in the immediate aftermath of the Galwan Valley clashes led to induction of multiple divisions of Army troops — estimated to be over 68,000 — as well as strategic airlift over 300 BMPs, around 100 tanks and artillery guns totalling a load over 9,000 tonnes.

The updated details come as the military standoff between India and China along the LAC in eastern Ladakh has entered its fourth consecutive year. Despite extensive diplomatic and military discussions between the two sides — leading to disengagement at the post-2020 friction points and creation of buffer zones there — an estimated 50,000-60,000 troops remain deployed on both sides of the India-China border and India has significantly ramped up infrastructure development along the LAC.

Moreover, legacy issues along the LAC such as Depsang Plains and Demchok continue to persist, and some of them will be discussed in the 19th round of India-China military talks scheduled Monday.

An official said the IAF’s transport operations in eastern Ladakh also include airlift of other critical IAF assets such as radars and surface-to-air guided weapon systems to the forward locations in eastern Ladakh.

“This led to their rapid deployment and overall, a large-scale airlift of assets was carried out in a short period of time, which was nearly 1.5 times of what is usually done. With the strategic airlift capability of the IAF’s helicopter and transport assets, the transition time was significantly reduced,” the official said.

Since 2020, the IAF’s C-17 Globemaster III and the C-130 J Super Hercules have been undertaking multiple sorties to transport troops and military equipment to the forward bases.

According to officials, IAF helicopters were instrumental in deploying radars in far-flung areas and played a critical role in the maintenance of military posts at forward locations by regularly supplying spares and rations.

The IAF had deployed its Apache attack helicopters to the region for providing any necessary tactical support to the troops as well as the Chinook heavy-lift helicopters to carry men and heavy equipment. Visuals of a Chinook lifting a prefabricated shelter for the troops had also emerged at that time.Two indigenously-made Light Combat Helicopters were also deployed in the Ladakh sector in 2020.

The helicopters, which operated in extreme conditions, were also crucial in casualty evacuation and the massive infrastructure building activities in the region.

“Not only did they carry out the recce of planned roads and other sites for laying of bridges and tunnels but also assisted in other ongoing infrastructure building projects which has been scaled up in the last three years,” an official said.

As part of the infrastructure push, several helipads are being constructed and existing advanced landing grounds such as the one in Nyoma are being upgraded for fighter operations.

“The air defence network was significantly strengthened in the last three years with the deployment of radars at forward locations which are manned by air warriors round the clock. This helps in monitoring any enemy aerial activity in real time,” the official said.

Soon after May 2020, the IAF had also deployed the Rafale, Su 30 MKIs, Mirage 2000s and MiG-29s among other fighter jets in eastern Ladakh to carry out regular combat air patrols and project an offensive posture in the thick of the standoff. For instance, the IAF equipped its MiG-29 fighters with the capability to fly at night from the Leh airbase, enabling the jets to conduct the full spectrum of operations at the LAC at a short notice.

Along with a range of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) deployed by the IAF for real-time intelligence gathering and conducting electronic surveillance along the LAC, some of the fighter jets were also deployed for Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR) roles.

According to officials, the decision to move several fighter jets to Leh and nearby bases were crucial to tackle any contingencies that could have cropped up in the months following the Galwan Valley clashes when tensions were running high along the LAC.

In June last year, there was an instance of an air violation by China in eastern Ladakh. A Chinese aircraft was found to be flying dangerously close to the LAC – an issue which was discussed in the subsequent 16th round of military talks between India and China. Both sides had decided to inform each other in advance of any air activity they would plan.