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Satellite image of Hotan air base in China showing traces of construction in May 2023. Photo/Independent
WASHINGTON – China has substantially expanded its airfields along its contested border with India to increase its air power and develop offensive capabilities since the brutal military standoff in 2020, based on new satellite imagery.
According to satellite imagery shared with The Independent by Planet Labs PBC, Beijing has expanded its airfields, helipads, rail facilities, missile bases, roads and bridges along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) to counter India’s comparative advantage in several areas.
“Images of airfields at Hotan, Ngari Gunsa and Lhasa in southwest China show Beijing has expanded facilities by building new runways, strengthening shelters to protect fighter jets, and through construction of new operations buildings,” according to an analysis of the same images by the newspaper. the Hindustan Times daily as quoted from the Independent, Saturday (3/6/2023).
These three Chinese airstrips are strategically positioned across northern India, stretching from west to east.
According to satellite images from May 2023, provided by Planet Labs, the Hotan airfield in southwestern Xinjiang, located about 400 km from Leh in India, is constructing a new runway, new aircraft and military operations support buildings along with a new apron.
Recent images from the airfield show an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operating from the airfield.
Previous images from June 2020 show no construction or development in the area near the airfield. The airfield was reportedly last expanded in 2002.
Ngari Gunsa airfield in the Tibet Autonomous Region is located 200 km from Pangong Lake, which saw many clashes between the two militaries.
The airfield became operational in 2010 and underwent an expansion after a 2017 standoff in the disputed Doklam area.
