China building a heliport near Arunachal; should India be concerned? 

• China is constructing a heliport near Arunachal Pradesh, a move that could boost its military capabilities and potentially threaten India’s sensitive areas.

• The facility, which may also serve civilian purposes, is part of China’s broader strategy of building dual-use villages along the disputed border.

• In response, India has initiated its own development projects and is constructing a highway to improve connectivity to its frontline Army posts.

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China building new heliport near LAC

What’s the story

China is reportedly building a new heliport approximately 20km east of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) near the “Fishtails” region of Arunachal Pradesh.

The construction site is located along the Gongrigabu Qu river in the Nyingchi Prefecture of Tibet Autonomous Region, an area within Chinese territory that India does not dispute.

Satellite imagery from EOS Data Analytics reveals that construction began sometime after December 1, 2023, with recent images indicating an advanced state of construction.

Heliport’s strategic advantage for Chinese military

The new heliport is expected to enhance the capabilities of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), particularly in intelligence-gathering, surveillance, and reconnaissance activities.

Geospatial intelligence expert Damien Symon stated that this development “enables rapid troop deployment to distant areas, strengthening patrol efficiency and augmenting China’s overall military footprint in these strategically important, remote locations.”

The facility includes three hangars, an apron area for helicopters, an air traffic control facility and associated buildings.

Heliport’s dual-use function and potential threat

Military sources monitoring the construction suggest that while it is “definitely military infrastructure being constructed,” the new facility may also serve a dual-use function to enable civilian movement into this remote area.

Arunachal Pradesh’s Fishtails area, named after the distinctive shape of its boundary line, is made up of Fishtail 1 and Fishtail 2.

Fishtail 1 is located in the Dibang Valley, while Fishtail 2 is part of the state’s Anjaw district.

Heliport’s features and China’s border strategy

Lieutenant General Pravin Bakshi (retired), who headed the Eastern Command of the Indian Army, outlined why this heliport should concern India.

“This heliport will be a threat to key areas which are considered ‘sensitive’ here. I would take serious note and look to orchestrate a suitable response, if ever required, in concern with the Indian Air Force so as to prevent any ‘grey-zone’ warfare being efficiently prosecuted by the Chinese here,” he was quoted as saying by NDTV.

India’s response to China’s border strategy

This development also comes amid Beijing’s ongoing construction of hundreds of “Xiaokang” or dual-use villages along the frontier with India, a strategy seen as an assertion of its claims in disputed areas along LAC.

India, on its part, has initiated the ‘Vibrant Villages’ development project covering 3,000 villages in four Northeastern border states, including Arunachal.

Additionally, a 2,400-kilometer trans-Arunachal highway is under construction to improve connectivity to frontline Army posts and reduce travel time in Eastern Arunachal Pradesh.

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