New Delhi, 22 September: The Indian Air Force is going to build its new airbase in Kishtwar district of Union Territory of J&K to keep the air distance in the range of 300 km to the border of Pakistan and China.
The new Army airbase in Kishtwar, adjacent to China’s Ladakh border, is planned to be used for air strikes by helicopters on Line of Control (LOC) and Line of Actual Control (LAC).
The Indian Air Force’s Apache and LCH combat helicopters will arrive in two to three minutes to complete missions in major parts of the two countries as soon as they fly from here.
An agreement has been reached between the Government of Jammu and Kashmir and the Indian Army to develop an airstrip of the Army present in Kishtwar.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the construction of the airstrip in Kishtwar was signed in the presence of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha by Brigadier Vikram Bhan of 9 Sector Rashtriya Rifles and Commissioner of Civil Aviation S. Katoch. , GOC of 16 Corps, Lieutenant General Harsh Gupta, Colonel Rajesh Rajneesh Giri, and Colonel AK Panwar were present.
Army sources said that the Kishtwar airbase between Ladakh’s DBO-Demchok axis will have a base as large as that of the Air Force’s Pathankot.
The Kishtwar Airport will be very important from a strategic point of view. East Ladakh is very close from here, so military logistical access to the China border will be easier from here.
The maximum distance from Kishtwar Helipad to Pakistan border (LoC) is 290 km whereas the maximum distance of the China border (LAC) will be 220.
That is, the American Apache and HAL Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) of the Air Force on both borders can reach any mission in just two to three minutes.
The American Apache’s combat range is 260 nautical miles (300 mi or 480 km). Similarly, HAL has so far developed the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) helicopter. It is designed as a multi-role attack helicopter having 550 km with its maximum speed weapons and the combat range is 300 nautical miles (340 mi).
Similarly, 210 km from Jammu airport, this will be the second airport of Jammu division in Kishtwar district.
This plan was pending since 2018, but with its tangible form, the army will also benefit from the strategic point of view, besides providing convenience to common people.
Air travel will be a boon for the people if the roadway is closed in the winter season. The existing helicopter strip in Kishtwar will be developed and prepared for the landing of the aircraft.
The formation of an airport in Kishtwar will boost local travel and trade along with smooth travel.
Similarly, civil aviation services can also be started at Udhampur Air Force Station. However, permissions are yet to be received from the Airport Authority of India (AII) and the Defense Authority. After getting the approval, it will be possible to land civil aircraft in Udhampur
