(TibetanReview.net, Apr28’19) – While talking peace and good-neighbourly relations with India, China is said to be massively building its military preparedness directed against the country. China is quietly building up its military presence in Tibet and upgrading many airfields for military use and has now deployed one of its deadliest aircrafts, the H-6 bomber, in Hoping airfield of Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), reported kashmirtimes.com Apr 26, citing agency reports.
The report said the People’s Liberation of Army (PLA) had taken full control of the dual-use Hoping Airfield and had placed it under its Western Theater Command (WTC).
The H-6 bomber is said to be a variant of the Soviet Tupolev TU-16 twin-engine medium-range bomber used by China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). Its latest version, the H-6K, is said to be designed for long-range attacks and considered as a strategic bomber.
It is said to be capable of attacking US carrier battle groups having nuclear-strike capability.
“We are aware of the new development in TAR. We are gathering additional information on H-6 bases in airfields of WTC and their assessed scenario of a conflict with India,” the report quoted a senior officer in the Indian Defense Ministry as saying.
The report noted that while the dispute between India and China over Doklam may have subsided, the two countries were constantly engaged in strengthening defence preparedness in the border areas.
It said China had built several new military camps in the border areas, with intelligence inputs also suggesting there is a secret guided missile unit in a place called Yuxi, located about 900 kilometres from Arunachal Pradesh. It added that China had deployed its ‘622 Missile Brigade’ in Yuxi, equipped with guided missiles.
