The Indian Air force (IAF) clarified that its two-day exercises in the north-eastern part of the country is “pre-planned and routine" on Thursday, and one should not be linked to the recent border clash with China’s People’s Liberation Army in the Yangtse sector of Arunachal Pradesh state.
"This exercise was planned well in advance of the recent developments in Tawang, and is not associated with these events," the Indian Air Force said.
Rafale, Su-30MKI, Chinook helicopters, transport aircraft as well as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are taking part in the drill, aimed at validating IAF’s operational capabilities in the sector. The IAF has activated its air defenses in the region.
A day before the IAF’s drill, intelligence analyst Damien Symonhas noted an increased level of Chinese activity at Shigatse airport in Tibet which included a high deployment of long-range surveillance drones, among others.
Earlier this month, the IAF scrambled its frontline jets on two or three occasions after detecting Chinese aircraft close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC), a contested border between the two countries.
The militaries of the two countries engaged in a scuffle in the Yangtse sector on December 9, resulting in injuries to both sides, said Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh.
This was the first major clash between the two countries since the deadly Galwan clash in Ladakh region.
The two countries share a 3488 km border which is loosely demarcated, leading to minor clashes and transgressions at regular intervals.