Military infrastructure upgrades in north-east to continue: ACM Naik

New Delhi: India will continue with its ongoing efforts to upgrade military infrastructure in the country's north-east as a counter to China. These range from deploying additional fighter aircraft, helicopters and drones to raising new army formations.

"The emerging security scenario has the attention of the highest levels in our government. I can assure you that we have full support in the implementation of various plans in the Eastern Air Command's area of responsibility," said IAF chief air chief marshal PV Naik on Wednesday.

"The empowered committee (on north-east infrastructure development) under the vice-chief (air marshal NAK Browne) is continuously monitoring up-gradation of the facilities, creation of new infrastructure and induction of assets in this region. I am sure this renewed thrust will significantly enhance our overall capabilities," he said, after addressing the EAC commanders conference at Bagdogra.

The Army has already raised two new mountain infantry divisions for the region.

The construction of over 5,500 "permanent defences and bunkers" in the region is also underway with the aim of completion of the project within four to five years under the Rs9,243 crore military infrastructure development project approved by the cabinet committee on security.

The IAF has already shifted two squadrons of its state-of-the-art Sukhoi-30MKI fighters to airbases at Tezpur and Chabua.

Eastern sector ALGs (advanced landing grounds) like Pasighat, Mechuka, Walong, Tuting, Ziro and Vijaynagar as well as several helipads in Arunachal Pradesh are also now being upgraded.