China has stationed its most advanced J-20 “Mighty Dragon” fifth generation fighter jets with stealth capabilities barely less than 150 kilometres away from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) near India’s Sikkim.
This development came to fore after AllSources Analysis, a firm that looks at geospatial intelligence, released satellite imagery that showed the presence of as many as six Chinese Air Force J-20 stealth fighters at a dual-use military civilian airport at Tibet’s Shigatse.
This airport is at an altitude of 12,408 feet, making it among the world’s highest.
What did satellite images show?
“The analysis of imagery collected over Shigatse Airbase in China shows the deployment of six likely J-20 stealth fighter aircraft near the Indian border," said the post shared by AllSources Analysis.
It further said that multiple images were collected over the course of May 27, 2024, indicating that these J-20 aircraft arrived at the airbase on the same day preceded by the arrival of a Y-20 transport aircraft for the probable deployment of ground crew and support equipment.
The image also showed multiple J-10 fighter aircraft and a KJ-500 early warning and control aircraft, “that are normally present at Shigatse”, on the flight line.
Analysis of imagery collected over Shigatse Air Base in China shows the deployment of six likely J-20 stealth fighter aircraft near the Indian border. https://t.co/epfzHD3Daa#GEOINT #China #Shigatse #J20 pic.twitter.com/hyijF3T1ao
— AllSource Analysis (@AllSourceA) May 29, 2024
What’s the intention of China?
Though there isn’t any statement so far from Beijing, the latest satellite images only increase the suspicion that China intends to change the status quo in the eastern sector of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim the way it has done in eastern Ladakh.
This, however, isn’t the first time the J-20 fighters have been deployed in Tibet. These jets have been spotted in Xinjiang’s Hotan prefecture between 2020 and 2023.
India’s reaction on China’s J-20 fighters near border in Sikkim
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is aware of the J-20 deployment, but has declined to comment on the latest imagery.
The Indian defence officials, however, said they were keeping “a close watch” on the Chinese army’s aggression and deployment over the past one-and-a-half years along the LAC, especially the Tawang sector in Arunachal.
A report by The Telegraph quoted an Indian Army official as saying that the deployment of J-20 fighters was, however, nothing new as China had earlier deployed them across all its five theatre commands including the western one which faces India.
“The deployment of J-20 by China has been a big concern for India considering the scarcity of enough fighter aircraft. To counter J-20 fighters we have our advanced French-built Rafale jets,” the official said.
China’s J-20 stealth fighter ‘most advanced’
A report by NDTV, quoted VP for Technology and Analysis at AllSource Analysis as saying, “The J-20 stealth fighter is China’s most advanced operational fighter aircraft to date, and these aircraft are predominantly based in the eastern provinces of China.”
“Seeing these aircraft appear at Shigatse in Tibet positions them on a deployment outside of their normal areas of operations and within proximity of the Indian border,” the VP added.
What are China’s J-20 fighters
The Chengdu J-20, which is also known as the Mighty Dragon, was introduced into service in 2017.
The twin-engine stealth fighter is equipped with an array of sensors and is being constantly modernised.
The primary role of the J-20 is as an air superiority fighter. It carries China’s most sophisticated air-to-air missiles, including the PL-15 long-range air-to-air missile which is believed to have the ability of striking aerial targets up to 300 km away.
China’s J-20 and the US’ F-35 are often compared because both have fifth-generation stealth technology. However, experts have given the Mighty Dragon an edge over the F-35 owing to its superior range, weapons capacity and speed.
J-20 fighters can also carry more ammunition than an F-35 on a single mission.
India’s counter to J-20
India counters the J-20 with its fleet of 36 French-built Rafale fighters.
Currently, eight Rafales are participating in advanced air combat exercises with the US Air Force in Alaska.
Shigatse, where the Chinese J-20s are stationed, is less than 290 kilometers from West Bengal’s Hasimara, where India bases its second squadron of 16 Rafales.
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