look news india
Amidst the ongoing tension on the Line of Actual Control (LAC), China has once again demonstrated its military might aggressively very close to the Indian border. According to intelligence reports, the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has deployed 11 of its most modern J-20 stealth fighter jets at the strategic airbase located near the border. Due to this move of China, security agencies on the border are on high alert. The presence of these fifth generation fighter aircraft at forward locations is being seen as a direct attempt to create psychological and strategic pressure against India.
Dragon’s deadliest weapon: Why is J-20 extremely dangerous?
Chengdu J-20 ‘Mighty Dragon’ is China’s most advanced and powerful fighter jet. It is a fifth generation twin-engine aircraft, which has been specially designed for stealth technology. Equipped with long-range missiles, this aircraft can carry out operations near Indian airspace in a very short time. China claims that it competes with the American F-22 and F-35. The deployment of these aircraft in the high altitude areas of Ladakh and Tibet poses a serious challenge to the Indian defense grid.
How big is the challenge for the Indian Air Force and what is the answer?
After this latest deployment of J-20, it is natural to raise the question whether India’s Rafale can compete with it. Defense experts believe that even though Rafale is a 4.5 generation aircraft, its combat proven record, missiles like Meteor and SCALP and excellent avionics make it extremely lethal against the J-20. Apart from this, India has also placed its most trusted Sukhoi-30 MKI and Mirage-2000 on alert mode on the border. Also, advanced air defense missile systems like Akash and S-400 deployed in the Ladakh sector are keeping a close watch on Chinese aircraft round the clock.
Increased activity at strategic airbases: Is China preparing for war?
Satellite images of Chinese airbases such as Hotan, Kashgar and Gargunsa located in Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) and Xinjiang clearly show that China is expanding infrastructure there on a large scale. Runways have been lengthened and strong shelters built to operate heavy stealth jets like the J-20. Although the Indian Army and Air Force are in complete control of the situation, the simultaneous presence of China’s most premium fighter jets so close to the border makes it clear that Dragon is in no mood to put the border dispute on the back burner in the times to come.