In a move that will assist in rapid deployment of forces in case of any eventuality in areas near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Ladakh sector bordering China, the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Tuesday — for the first time ever — landed one of its modern and state-of-the-art C-130 J Hercules transport aircraft at the Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) advanced landing ground (ALG) which is the highest airstrip in the world.
The move is being seen as a strong message to China, especially since the Chinese had pitched tents and had conducted a nearly three week-long transgression in the DBO sector a few months ago. The IAF said the landing — which took place at 6.54 am at the DBO runway located at a height of 16,614 feet — constituted a “world record for the highest landing by an aircraft of this class”. Till now, only AN-32 transport aircraft and helicopters had landed on the DBO “compacted” runway.
India already plans to establish a full-fledged airbase at the Nyoma ALG which is also located in the Ladakh sector. In fact, top defence sources had earlier told this newspaper that the Chinese would never have dared to carry out their transgression in the DBO area had the ALGs been developed at a faster pace. By landing the Hercules aircraft now at the DBO airstrip, India appears to be sending a clear message to China that every inch of Indian territory would be guarded by the armed forces. “In a significant capability demonstration move by the IAF, a C 130J Super Hercules aircraft landed at Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO), the highest airstrip in the world at 6.54 am on Tuesday. The commanding officer, Group Captain Tejbir Singh, and the crew of the Veiled Vipers along with senior officers of Air Headquarters touched down on the DBO airstrip located at 16,614 feet (5,065 metres) in the Aksai Chin area after taking off from their home base at Hindon (near Delhi),” the IAF said. The IAF aircraft was at the DBO airstrip for about 40 minutes.
“The tactical airlift aircraft of the special operations squadron the ‘Veiled Vipers’ which is capable of undertaking quick deployment of forces in all weather conditions, including airdrops and landings on unprepared or semi prepared surfaces created history today by landing at this altitude and hostile terrain conditions,” the IAF added.
“DBO is an important Army forward area post which links the ancient silk route to China. This base was built during the Indo-China conflict in 1962 and came into prominence when Packet aircraft of the IAF operated from DBO between 1962 and 1965. Once again this strategic base in the Northern Himalayas gained importance when it was resurrected and reactivated by the IAF along with the Indian Army and made operational when a twin engine AN 32 aircraft from Chandigarh landed there after a gap of 43 years (in 2008),” the IAF said.
“Considering the very limited load carrying capability of AN 32 and helicopters, a decision was taken by the IAF to land the C-130J aircraft which is capable of lifting upto 20 tonnes of load,” it said.
. With this enhanced airlift capability, the IAF will now be in a better position to meet the requirements of our land forces who are heavily dependent on the air bridge for sustenance in these higher and inhospitable areas. Today’s achievement will enable the forces to exploit the inherent advanced capabilities of the aircraft by increased capability to induct troops, improve communication network and also serve as a great morale booster for maintenance of troops positioned there. It is also a projection of the fact that the IAF is capable of operating in such inhospitable terrain in support of the Indian Army,” the IAF said.
Incidentally, the C-130 J Hercules aircraft were earlier acquired by India from US military aviation firm Lockheed Martin. India had inked a pact earlier for acquisition of six of these aircraft and is acquiring six more of these.