INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The project to construct a heliport began on the mechanised brigade near Lhasa railway station which continued slowly till 2017
(Representative photo)Satellite imagery has captured an ominous Chinese military initiative near Lhasa that could have a direct bearing on
the situation in eastern Ladakh
Luhang Brigade or Tibet LH Brigade at Lhasa
The project to construct a heliport began on the mechanised brigade near Lhasa railway station which continued slowly till 2017.It suddenly
picked up pace during and after the Doklam standoff of 2017
The first deployment of a lone Mi-17 helicopter after completion of the heliport was observed in satellite imagery during November
2018.(Photo: India Today)The historic satellite images from 2018 indicate 24 large shelters of 25mx32m size
More surprising was the brown camouflage colour scheme observed on these shelters.Helicopter deployment The PLA has deployed 24 Mi-17V-7
transport helicopters at this heliport since 2018 and 22 of them have been positively identified with pennant numbers.(Photo: India
Today)The ground pictures indicate a complete transport unit of Army Aviation that can helilift one infantry battalion with battle load.The
PLA Air Force (PLAAF) has also been observed on the heliport undertaking repair jobs, suggesting that it possibly provides the technical
support to these ground force units.Expansion The recent satellite images of September 16 show a very fast expansion of the Lhasa
heliport.The main airstrip 18/36 of 600m is being expanded 200m on either side to make a total of 1,000m long strip.There are at least 24
large hangars of 25mx60m being constructed on the north and south ends of the heliport.This would permit deployment of at least three
transport battalions of Mi-17V-7 helicopters at this location.There are 15 new buildings under construction which possibly are meant for
accommodating more troops expected to be deployed at the heliport.The Indian Air Force needs to keep this heliport under very close
monitoring and surveillance.(Col Vinayak Bhat (Retd) is a consultant for India Today
A satellite imagery analyst, he served in the Indian Army for over 33 years)
