China's been busy. They're building up their military outposts and even airports along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Tibet. That has India on high alert – especially since that tense standoff between Chinese and Indian troops back in 2020.
One area of particular concern is Arunachal Pradesh, a state in Northeast India. The border between India and China stretches for miles through this region, and China has made claims on it. That's got the Indian military ready and waiting for anything that might go down.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) base at Tezpur is a perfect example of this readiness. This base has been a buzzing hub of military activity for years – the British even built it way back during World War II. For decades, it housed MiG-21 jets, but today, it's got something even more impressive: the Sukhoi Su-30MKI. These powerful, twin-engine jets are India's answer to anything China might throw their way.
Don't think Tezpur stands alone. All through Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, the Indian Air Force is showcasing its might. You can often spot those Sukhoi fighters soaring through the sky on training missions – a clear signal that India won't back down if China tries anything.
Air Commodore V J Singh, the commanding officer at Tezpur, confirms this. He emphasizes the constant readiness of his aircrews and their cutting-edge Sukhoi fighters. Air Marshal D.K. Patnaik, a leading figure in India's Eastern Air Command, outlines India's strategic advantage: airfields positioned close to the border, with Tezpur right at the heart of it all.
The Air Marshal makes it crystal clear. Should China get any ideas about invading, they won't have an easy time of it. "The Indian Air Force," he firmly states, "is not going to let them waltz right in."
