Representative image
A new heliport is under construction 20 km east of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) near the sensitive ‘Fishtails’ region of Arunachal Pradesh, potentially enhancing the Chinese armed forces’ ability to swiftly deploy military resources into this remote area along the Indo-Chinese frontier.
Located along the Gongrigabu Qu river in Nyingchi Prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region — an area within Chinese territory disputed by India — the heliport’s construction has progressed significantly, NDTV reported.
Satellite imagery from EOS Data Analytics shows no activity at the site until December 1, 2023, with land-clearing visible by December 31. Recent high-resolution images from Maxar, dated September 16, reveal that the facility is now nearing completion.
Geospatial intelligence expert Damien Symon, who initially highlighted the heliport’s development, notes that “this new heliport will enable the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to enhance intelligence-gathering, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations.”
The facility addresses logistical challenges posed by the region’s dense forests and rugged mountains, allowing for rapid troop deployment and improving patrol efficiency. It also strengthens China’s military presence in strategically significant, remote locations.
Military sources monitoring the heliport’s construction say that it may serve dual purposes. While it is clearly military infrastructure, it might also facilitate civilian movement into the area, thereby boosting China’s defensive and offensive operations. This infrastructure allows for a swift build-up of troops in case of emergencies.
The Fishtails region, with its distinct boundary shape, includes Fishtail 1 in the Dibang Valley and Fishtail 2 in the Anjaw district. Both areas are deemed ‘sensitive,’ reflecting differing Chinese and Indian perceptions of the LAC.
Lt General Pravin Bakshi (retired), who led the Eastern Command of the Indian Army, views the heliport as a potential threat to these sensitive areas. “I would take serious note and look to orchestrate a suitable response, if ever required, in concern with the Indian Air Force so as to prevent any ‘grey-zone’ warfare being efficiently prosecuted by the Chinese here,” he said, per NDTV.
Grey-zone warfare refers to actions that fall short of full-scale war but still pose threats to stability through coercive means.
The heliport boasts a 600-metre runway designed for rolling take-offs, a technique particularly useful in high-altitude areas with lower helicopter power. Although the heliport is situated at a significantly lower altitude than the Tibetan plateau, at approximately 1,500 metres (about 5,000 feet), this altitude supports more efficient helicopter operations and allows for greater payloads.
The heliport includes at least three hangars, an apron area for helicopter positioning, an air traffic control facility, and various other buildings and structures.
This development comes amid China’s broader strategy of building ‘Xiaokang’ or dual-use villages along its frontier with India. These villages are part of China’s approach to assert its claims in disputed areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The strategy, described by India’s late Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat as “salami slicing,” involves incremental territorial changes.
This tactic has been evident in Bhutan, where Chinese forces have constructed townships and an extensive road network in formerly undefended border regions, including ancestral lands of its royal family.
