How does IAF measure up to the emerging air threat from its northern neighbour and what needs to be done?

The year 2012 has been unusually hectic for the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), furiously spreading its wings on the high-altitude Tibet Autonomous region. Within weeks of the Indian Air Force (IAF) Eastern Air Command (EAC) exercise code named ‘Pralay’, conducted in the latter’s areas of responsibility in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, the PLAAF conducted its own air exercise over the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau—not far from the line of actual control (LAC), along the Sino-Indian border. The EAC air exercise lasted less than a week from February 29 to March 3, 2012. While PLA military activity in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) is not unusual, what struck China-watchers was the continued presence of the PLAAF units in Tibet for most part of 2012 after their induction in the cold winter month of March. This was the first time, Chinese J-10 fighters operated from several airbases, including those at altitudes of 3,500 metres and temperatures hovering at -20 degrees Celsius.

It was evident that the PLAAF exercise was not merely a quid pro quo to match the IAF’s Pralay, but a much greater Flying Dragon Spreading Wi ngs How does IAF measure up to the emerging air threat from its northern neighbour and what needs to be done? Photograph: wikimedia endeavour to prepare for a potential conflict situation near the Sino-Indian border in Tibet. The J-10s reportedly practised strike missions with live ordnance, including conventional ‘dumb’ bombs as well as indigenous precision laser-guided bombs. According to a PLAAF spokesman, “The fighters carried out scrambles and attacked the targets with a variety of weapons.” Sorties were made both during day times and at night. Earlier, on January 31, 2012, J-10s had made their first flights into Qinghai-Tibet Plateau with typical air combat patrol payloads, namely two medium-range air-to-air missiles, two short-range close combat missiles plus up to three external fuel drop tanks to extend range/loiter time.

The PLAAF in addition, also tested its larger J-11 air superiority in the TAR region (33rd Air Division from Chengdu) conducting multifarious air defence exercises. The PLAAF heavy fighters were variously reported to be cruising over the Himalayan ranges with live ammunition. The official mouthpiece of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) reported the development in September 2012 stating, “The third generation heavy fighters of the Chinese Air Force practised complex drills and subsequently monitored the fighter pilots’ body response to the high-altitude terrain—thus providing further credence to China’s plans of preparedness for high-altitude operations.