China Fortifies Tibet Airbase: 36 Hardened Shelters Near Arunachal Raise Strategic Alarm For India | India News

China has completed major upgrades at Lhunze air base in Tibet, about 40 kilometers north of the McMahon Line, the de facto border between India and China, in Arunachal Pradesh. Satellite images confirm the construction of 36 reinforced aircraft shelters, a new administrative block and a new apron, increasing China’s ability to forward-deploy fighter jets and unmanned aerial vehicles near the Indian border.

The Lhunze base, located about 107 kilometers from Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, now enables the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) to reduce response times in operations against Indian positions in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.

Speaking to NDTV, Air Chief Marshal (Retd) BS Dhanoa, former Chief of the Indian Air Force, said, “The construction of 36 fortified aircraft shelters at Lhunze clearly indicates that in the next incident, tactical fighter jets and attack helicopters operating in support of their army will be deployed at Lhunze.” He added that ammunition and fuel would likely already be pre-positioned in underground tunnels.

Reflecting on the strategic importance, Dhanoa said, “During the Doklam incident in 2017, I had realized that the PLAAF’s main challenge in Tibet was deployment, not aircraft. I had envisaged that once fortified shelters were constructed, it would indicate war preparations and eliminate a major vulnerability in Tibet.”

Former Deputy Chief of the IAF, Air Marshal (retired) Anil Khosla, described the upgrades as a “serious strategic threat”, especially in light of the geopolitical tensions and military infrastructure developments that have developed since the 2020 Galwan clashes.

“Improvements at Lhunze have profound implications for regional security. 36 fortified aircraft shelters enable asset dispersal, reduce vulnerability to concentrated attacks and enable sustained operations in high altitude conditions,” Khosla said. he said. He also explained that the shelters provide protection against precision-guided munitions, airstrikes and missile attacks, “making it much more difficult to destroy the base in the early stages of a conflict.”

According to Khosla, air bases such as Tingri, Lhunze and Burang, located 50-150 kilometers from the Line of Actual Control (LAC), enable rapid forward deployment of PLAAF assets and coverage of Indian positions in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand and Ladakh.

New satellite images from Vantor (formerly Maxar) also show the presence of CH-4 drones in Lhunze. A high-altitude UAV, the CH-4 can carry short-range air-to-surface missiles and has an electro-optical sensor turret controlled via a data link.

India plans to counter this threat with the deployment of General Atomics Sky Guardian drones by 2029, one each for the Indian Air Force and Army. Part of a $3.5 billion deal, these US-made drones will increase intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and precision strike capabilities across the Himalayas. Currently, Indian forces rely on less capable Israeli-made Heron and Searcher UAVs.

Former IAF Deputy Chief Air Marshal (Retd) SP Dharkar said the new infrastructure at Lhunze “will be a challenge for India”. He explained that geography and altitude had previously given India some operational advantages, but the expansion of modern airfields and fortified shelters in Tibet had reduced this advantage.

Intel Lab contributing geo-intelligence expert Damien Symon added: “The rapid construction of these bunkers opposite Tawang demonstrates Beijing’s effort to expand its air power in a historically sensitive region. While India maintains strong air infrastructure nearby, the scale of militarization at Lhunze reveals China’s intent to narrow the gap.”

The Lhunze upgrade is part of China’s broader effort to strengthen air bases on the Himalayan frontier, including Tingri, Burang, Yutian and Yarkant. These bases now include hangars, runway extensions, aprons, engine testing areas and support facilities.

The Indian Air Force, which examined satellite images of these developments, stated that it was “aware” of the ongoing construction in April. These improvements reflect changing strategic realities along the border, despite efforts to reset ties between New Delhi and Beijing after the 2020 Galwan crisis.

In August 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Tianjin for the first time in seven years and met Chinese President Xi Jinping. The visit focused on stabilizing bilateral relations, expanding trade, renewing direct flights and cooperation on rare earths as both countries continue to modernize military infrastructure along their disputed border.