IAF to reactivate Vijaynagar airfield today

Villagers waiting to board an IAF AN 32 plane in Vijaynagar, Changlang district. (A file picture)

NEW DELHI, Nov 17: Against the backdrop of Chinese military infrastructure build-up along its borders,India will on Friday activate an airfield in Vijaynagar in Arunachal Pradesh’s Changlang district from where it will be able to operate its latest C-130J Hercules transport aircrafts.

The use of this airfield was discontinued in 2009 for carrying out repairs there. The airfield will be reactivated tomorrow by State Governor Gen (Retd) J J Singh, the IAF officials said here.

After repairs, the airfield – situated on the easternmost tip of the country borderingChinaandMyanmar– will be able to operate the C-130J Super Hercules aircraft along with the Antonov-32 cargo planes in the IAF inventory, they added.

The airfield is used for air maintenance and will help in mobilizing troops and equipment at a faster pace in times of requirement.

This is the first advanced landing ground (ALG) in the North East to be upgraded as part ofIndia’s efforts to match Chinese military infrastructure development activities. It is also upgrading ALGs in Pasighat, Mechuka, Walong, Tuting and Ziro as well as several helipads in Arunachal.

IAF has so far activated its ALGs in Ladakh including Nyoma, Daulat Beg Oldi and Fukche and is planning to convert Nyoma in to a full-fledged air base.

Indiais also planning to raise a new Mountain Strike Corps after raising two new mountain infantry divisions to increase manpower in the North East. (Agencies)