After readying Hotan airbase for operating H-20 stealth bombers, China is now setting up an emergency airbase in Tashkurgan district of Xinxiang opposite eastern Ladakh which is likely to be operationalised by September.
This will be the first Chinese-built high-speed airbase located in the Tajik Autonomous Region of Tashkurgan, Kashgar Province. Tashkurgan County is located in the Uighur Autonomous Region, an important strategic point bordering Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan which is close to Ladakh.
The military infrastructure is being ramped up by China post-Galwan Valley incident in June 2020 in which 20 Indian army soldiers were killed by the PLA troops. The Indian Army also inflicted heavy casualties to the PLA that has only confirmed deaths of five troops.
China has also tested operations of H-20 strategic stealth bombers at Hotan airbase opposite eastern Ladakh last year and is now setting up an emergency airport in Tashkurgan district of Xinxiang opposite Ladakh, top sources said.
“The construction of the airport is going on in full swing and is likely to be launched on a trial basis in September this year.” said defence experts tracking developments in the region.
It could not be immediately ascertained if the emergency airbase would also have landing facility for the H-20 stealth bombers.
The development comes close on the heels of reports of construction of a second bridge on the Pangong Tso Lake in eastern Ladakh by the PLA amid Beijing’s continued bid to ramp up military infrastructure along the Line of Actual Control.
In June 2021, in the midst of the continuing standoff with India in eastern Ladakh, China had begun final trials of the H-20 bombers at Hotan airbase, before induction as an area weapons, as reported by the Pioneer in June last year.
The testing exercise of the stealth bombers concluded on June 22, 2021 marking 100 years of formation of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and its rule.
At least three H-20 bombers, developed as an area specific asset, are aimed at blunting the edge India acquired through the acquisition of Rafale jets.
The stealth feature and long endurance o the H-20 bombers coupled with capability to carry heavy payloads could potentially dodge the “detect and disable radar” capability of Rafales,
The H-20, though officially not announced by China yet, is likely to be deployed early next year following required tweaks at the Hotan base, opposite Ladakh, early next year, sources said.
The Chinese intention of making these strategic bombers an area specific asset is clear from Beijing’s decision to designate the Hotan base as a testing base for these stealth machines before being deployed in the area to take on targets in Afghanistan, Balochistan or Ladakh.
Post-Galwan valley incident in June 2020, there is a marked shift in Chinese strategy of deploying troops on the ground in areas bordering Ladakh as well as ramping up air defences to respond to any challenges with full might, officials said.
Earlier, the H-20 bombers were slated to be inducted in 2025. However, the timeline has been compressed which signals a shift in China’s approach in the region and the larger geopolitical space.
The H-20s are also estimated to be capable of carrying nuclear payloads and carry stealth missiles to defy air defences of enemy forces.
According to a 2020 Pentagon report on Chinese military power, the H-20s are estimated to have a range of 5,281 miles and lift capacity of 10 tons of munitions.