China built a new heliport on disputed border with India in Tibet

22 September, 2024 Chinese Z-19 attack helicopters. Photo: China Military China has built a new heliport in Tibet near the Indian border.

RFA reported on this with reference to satellite images by Planet Labs. The construction of the heliport is primarily related to strengthening China's positions in the disputed territories and will allow the use of helicopters in the event of border clashes. The heliport was built in Nyingchi, in the Tibetan county of Zayul, near the strategically sensitive "fishtail sector" of the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, 20 km from the border with India.

Satellite image of China's new heliport in Nyingchi.

Photo credits: Planet Labs

Due to the disputed border, there have been repeated clashes between the militaries of both countries. The completed facility has a 600-meter runway and several hangars designed to store a small number of transport and combat helicopters. The heliport is the latest addition to China's extensive network of military installations in the southern part of the Tibetan Autonomous Region, underscoring Beijing's security concerns along the border area.

It should be noted that currently, about 1130 km of the border between China and India are disputed, as China claims most of them, ignoring the McMahon Line, the colonial border between Tibet and British India that dates back to 1914.

Chinese heliports and airfields in the 200 km border zone. Photo credits: Takshashila

It should be noted that despite the fact that both countries are members of the BRICS, relations are very strained due to the disputed territories. In addition, both countries view each other as potential adversaries, especially India, both because of border claims and China's aggressive policy in the Indo-Pacific region.

Militarnyi previously reported that India had launched an emergency arms procurement program amid worsening relations with China.

The order was placed for new unmanned systems, ammunition, detection systems, communication systems and vehicles.