New Delhi: In a boost to the Indian military’s capability to induct men and material faster along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), a C-17 Globemaster of the Indian Air Force (IAF) landed on the Kargil airfield this week.
Though there is no official word or any photographs, sources in the defence establishment said that the aircraft landed on the airfield Monday morning.
The airfield is at an altitude of about 9,700 ft and is surrounded by hills, making landing very challenging.
The sources explained that this is a significant development because while the smaller AN-32s have been operating there besides the C-130 J Super Hercules, the C-17 adds a strategic heft.
They said that the AN-32 was able to carry only 3-4 tonnes of equipment or men into Kargil while the C-130 J Super Hercules, which carried out its first night landing early last year, could carry only 6-7 tonnes. However, the C-17 will be able to fly in close to about 35 tonnes, which is nearly 10 times the capacity of the AN-32.
While the C-17 can normally carry anywhere between 60-70 tonnes, the capacity becomes lower when it comes to Kargil because of altitude, temperature and terrain.
Sources explained that the IAF felt there was a gap between Srinagar to Leh and fully operationalising the Kargil airfield was important. They added that the military would now be able to pump in more men and military into the region.
However, the problem with Kargil is that there is no parking bay. This means that only one C-17 can operate from Kargil at one point of time.
(Edited by Gitanjali Das)
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