In a major step to enhance operational readiness along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the Ministry of Defence has cleared the revival of two defunct advanced landing grounds (ALGs) close to the disputed boundary with China.
The two sites identified are Chushul in eastern Ladakh and Anini in Arunachal Pradesh’s Dibang Valley, both strategically located near sensitive frontiers.
According to officials, the initiative is part of the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) “future roadmap” to expand air operations in forward areas. The upgraded facilities will support UAVs, helicopters, and even fixed-wing aircraft such as the Airbus C-295 and the C-130J special operations plane.
What is Chushul’s link to India’s 1962 war legacy?
Chushul, located barely four km from the LAC at an altitude of 14,000 feet, carries significant historical weight. During the 1962 India-China war, the IAF’s Soviet-origin AN-12 aircraft airlifted a troop of AMX-13 tanks from Chandigarh to Chushul, a move widely credited with bolstering Ladakh’s defences.
A classified MoD publication, History of the Conflict with China-1962, noted, “The AN-12 aircraft airlifted a troop of AMX-13 tanks to Chushul on October 25… tanks and 25-pounder guns may well have saved the day for Ladakh.”
Past proposals to revive Chushul ALG had been put on hold to avoid aggravating Chinese sensitivities. However, with the current emphasis on infrastructure development along the LAC, the airstrip is being restored for operational use.
Why was Anini forgotten as a World War II military facility?
The second ALG, at Anini in Arunachal Pradesh, sits on a natural plateau with a 1.5 km clear runway. During World War II, the location served as a staging ground for Allied supply missions into China, using the perilous “Hump” route across the eastern Himalayas.
Although the IAF created a mud-paved strip at Anini post-Independence, it remained unused. Recently, the Arunachal Pradesh government urged the Centre to revive the ALG, and an IAF-led team inspected the site.
How is India’s ALG network expanding
In the past two decades, the MoD has systematically revived several ALGs to reinforce India’s forward presence. Ladakh already hosts Daulat Baig Oldie and Nyoma, the latter now being developed into a full-fledged airbase.
In Arunachal Pradesh, seven ALGs have been converted into operational runways at Along, Mechuka, Pasighat, Tuting, Vijayanagar, Walong, and Ziro, serving both military and civilian needs.
With Chushul and Anini back in service, India is reinforcing its ability to rapidly deploy forces and supplies along its most contested frontiers with China.