IAF at Farkhor Air Base in Tajikistan present & future Ambitions

[Free Soul]

It is a FACT that India is in possession of Farkhor Air Base in Tajikistan. Please note that the presence or absence of squadron of MIG-29s is only one aspect of the sheer ambition bordering obsession of establishing itself as a regional power & sell itself as a credible & suitable watchdog for American interests in the region.

Billions of dollars worth military acquisitions especially modernising the IAF goes very well with establishing a foothold in the greater region of South Asia /central Asia is very ambitious and hasn’t gone unnoticed by other countries in the region & Americans. For China and Pakistan it is a matter of concern for its military leadership and the strategic planners

The base south-east of Tajikistan’s capital, Dushanbe a stone’s throw away (in Aviation/ air force terms) from border to Afghanistan. To begin with India operated a small military hospital at Farkhor but also used the base to ship high-altitude warfare supplies to the Northern Alliance, and execute electronic intelligence-gathering operations. The base is operated by the Indian Air Force, Farkhor is India's first and only overseas military base.

This is by no means a defensive or economic based endeavour. Deploying Mig 29 fighter bombers is hardly meant for goodwill gesture to the other nations that are within the reach of its military aircrafts. IAF ran sorties with its helicopters in support of the northern alliance but that was not done solely out of love for their cause but it established its covert operations in Afghanistan as well with the consent of ever so grateful Northern Alliance.

Hence the placement of Indian consulates in Afghanistan being accused of supporting BLA is a story which keeps surfacing up whenever there is an escalation of violence in Balochistan. Concerns about this base were raised my Former President Pervez Musharraf to the Tajik government of the fact that Indian planes would be able reach Pakistan within minutes using the air base.

Implications for Pakistan
Dividing Pakistani resources to look out for yet another side of the border which has been historically less guarded compared to the Eastern side.

Implications for China
Are mainly to challenge its hopes to gain access to oil and gas resources from Central Aisa.

Finally
PAF chiefs recent comments about the ability to counter the IAF doctrine should be taking into account of our Northern air command’s bases that will keep that satellite IAF base in check. The F-16s at Sakardu airbase seem to be a prime example for that reason.

India to station MiG-29 fighter-bombers at
Tajikistan base
Rahul Bedi
The Tribune Indioa
New Delhi, April 21
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is to deploy a fleet of MiG-29 fighter-bombers at the airbase at Aini, 15 km from the Tajikistan capital Dushanbe.
India’s quasi-military Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is currently constructing three hangars at Aini, two of which will accommodate the 12 aircraft the IAF will deploy for varying periods, official sources said.
The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Main News
The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Main News
Farkhor Air Base - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[MilSpec]

stationing a squadron of Mig 29 doesn't mean IAF will be dealing lethal punches to PAF, although it might come in handy in case of conflict, IAF is not USAF to project power from foreign airbases. Next about being watchdogs of american interests, pakistan has traditionally been the same in the subcontinent, right from extending your airbases to fighting their wars, Pakistan has done it all. US can literally fight its wars in the region to the last pakistani.

About IAF's power projection, it presently doesn't need to station sqdns out of the country when it is struggling to keep its own sanctioned strength. the intention of this thread to raise suspicion among the readers for it's usual sabre rattling, but IAF has been and will remain a major regional player, with priorities to protect Indian interests only.

 

[indianspetsnaz]

if we base SU30MKI armed with K-100 missiles we would then be able to conduct combat air patrols from Tajikistan

 

[Irfan Baloch]

stationing a squadron of Mig 29 doesn't mean IAF will be dealing lethal punches to PAF, although it might come in handy in case of conflict, IAF is not USAF to project power from foreign airbases. Next about being watchdogs of american interests, pakistan has traditionally been the same in the subcontinent, right from extending your airbases to fighting their wars, Pakistan has done it all. US can literally fight its wars in the region to the last pakistani.

About IAF's power projection, it presently doesn't need to station sqdns out of the country when it is struggling to keep its own sanctioned strength. the intention of this thread to raise suspicion among the readers for it's usual sabre rattling, but IAF has been and will remain a major regional player, with priorities to protect Indian interests only.

yea and with the race for safeguarding the fast depleting fossil fuel sources. It makes sense to be prepared if the purse allows it. Secondly such remote bases come handy if Uncle Sam is looking around for someone to cover for him while it engaged elsewhere “protecting its freedom” and introducing democracy.

 

[JonAsad]

Hear this out-
If Tajik base is used by indians to strike on Pakistani soil- that will mean direct involvement to Tajikistan in war against Pakistan-
That would really be a bad news for tajikistan-
and i know tajiks cannot be that stupid-
We dont even fear a nuclear retaliation from her- even if we decide to use ours on them-

 

[sputnik]

Pakistani members are unnecessary creating hue and cry for Tajik airbase. First of all there is no Mig 29s there. The activity at air base is very low after defeat of Taliban in Kabul. It was opened in response to Kandahar episode not to support BLA from their. Regarding BLa, we are managing the show even before we have this base. And yes it is not sole base for providing logistics, even Chabhar in Iran is for same purpose. All of them, Russia , Iran and the US knows abt these activities. NATO have presence in Takikstan and Uzbekistan from Collin Powell era . And last but not the least, Ur skardu base can do damn to these bases.

 

[Free Soul]

stationing a squadron of Mig 29 doesn't mean IAF will be dealing lethal punches to PAF, although it might come in handy in case of conflict

Rightly said that in a conflict it becomes handy, MIGs are hardly passenger aircrafts, if they are not meant for PAF then probably are there for some other reason .

IAF is not USAF to project power from foreign airbases.

But has the ambitions to do so hence acquiring this base, i don’t think the US says that they are projecting power from foreign bases- it is just blatantly obvious.. isn’t it?

Next about being watchdogs of american interests, pakistan has traditionally been the same in the subcontinent, right from extending your airbases to fighting their wars, Pakistan has done it all. US can literally fight its wars in the region to the last pakistani.

Like Pakistan had a choice to say no to America after 9/11.. it was either stone age or being a so called Ally, over time Musharraf managed to get into a position where at least we were able to say that endless killing would get you nowhere...
India offered bases and full support to the US post 9/11 .. did it not? India requested President Bush to bypass Pakistan and give it the chance to be a frontline state in its war against terrorism; the idea obviously was to serve Indian interest by becoming frontline Ally and neutralizing age old most favoured Neighbour.

IAF has been and will remain a major regional player, with priorities to protect Indian interests only.

A tell tell sign of a wana be Empire. Major Regional player ... Protect Interests (the definition of these interests depends on the firepower and keeps on changing – History of Empires/wana be Empires) Soon protecting Democracy. Interests soon become having total monopoly on everything.

 

[Aryavart]

Hear this out-
If Tajik base is used by indians to strike on Pakistani soil- that will mean direct involvement to Tajikistan in war against Pakistan-
That would really be a bad news for tajikistan-
and i know tajiks cannot be that stupid-
We dont even fear a nuclear retaliation from her- even if we decide to use ours on them-

ACCHHHAAAAA....Janaab...nuclear bomb chalane ka tender sirf pakistan ko mila hai..aur koi tender toh milta hai nai...Nuke Nuke karte rehte ho...Btw if India is using tajik Air base against pak, then in any case India will provide security of Tajikistan...phir nuke chalana hum bhi dekhenege....

 

[untitled]

I think it was the Russians who pressurized the Tajiks to allow the Indians at Farkhor. So the Tajiks are not entirely at fault

 

[rama]

if u believe OP, each and every other nation except China is acting hostile or in some secret plan to harm the Islamic republic of Pakistan.

 

[it'sok]

Rightly said that in a conflict it becomes handy, MIGs are hardly passenger aircrafts, if they are not meant for PAF then probably are there for some other reason .

But has the ambitions to do so hence acquiring this base, i don’t think the US says that they are projecting power from foreign bases- it is just blatantly obvious.. isn’t it?

Like Pakistan had a choice to say no to America after 9/11.. it was either stone age or being a so called Ally, over time Musharraf managed to get into a position where at least we were able to say that endless killing would get you nowhere...
India offered bases and full support to the US post 9/11 .. did it not? India requested President Bush to bypass Pakistan and give it the chance to be a frontline state in its war against terrorism; the idea obviously was to serve Indian interest by becoming frontline Ally and neutralizing age old most favoured Neighbour.

A tell tell sign of a wana be Empire. Major Regional player ... Protect Interests (the definition of these interests depends on the firepower and keeps on changing – History of Empires/wana be Empires) Soon protecting Democracy. Interests soon become having total monopoly on everything.

My friend was talking about Pakistan's status right from it's birth until today, Not just Post 9/11.

And about empires and wannabes , There's a rumor around that IAF is in the process of getting more bases in Afghanistan and Indochina.

 

[Skull and Bones]

India-Tajikistan has security pacts, any attack on Tajikistan will be seen as a direct attack on India.

Time to bring them under our ballistic missile defense system.

 

[Abingdonboy]

India is not stupid, they plod along with their interests quietly if needed:

India Reportedly Basing Helicopters, Fighter Jets In Tajikistan[/SIZE][/B]

The gate to the Ayni air base outside Dushanbe: what's going on inside?

Joshua Kucera

India is quietly using the Ayni air base in Tajikistan, hosting a contingent of helicopters and fighter jets in cooperation with Russia, an Indian journalist reports. Saurav Jha, writing in World Politics Review (subscription required, but free trial available), while the Tajikistan government has denied that it would allow anyone but Russia to use the base, the truth is otherwise:

However, an Indian official directly involved in renovating the airfield told World Politics Review that an Indian air force contingent, including Indian Mi-17 helicopters and leased Russian fighter jets, is currently deployed to the base under joint Indo-Tajik control. The Russian equipment will be maintained by Russian contractors, creating “a sort of joint control over these assets.” His comments echo recent reports of negotiations between the three parties for joint use of the base.

Jha also theorizes on why everyone is keeping this quiet: to avoid offending China and Pakistan.

India has spent almost $70 million, including equipment costs, to completely repave and extend the runway at Ayni, set up air traffic control and perimeter fencing and build three hardened shelters -- all, the Indian official confirmed, with an eye to supporting fighter-jet operations.

That might be the real reason behind Tajikistan’s reticence to officially clarify the status of the base.

While Ayni will allow India to watch over northern Afghanistan in the aftermath of a NATO withdrawal, it can also provide coverage for Indian fighter aircraft over northern Pakistan and western China, areas that lack robust air defense networks. Tajik officials might be downplaying their involvement in the base out of deference to Beijing and Islamabad’s sensitivities.

All this actually sounds plausible, and jibes with what what India's defense minister AK Antony hinted at when he last visited Dushanbe in October:

India, Tajikistan and Russia are in negotiations on the joint use of the Ayni Air Base, close to the Tajik capital Dushanbe which is set to acquire strategic significance after US withdrawal from Afghanistan, sources said...

When asked if India was a partner in the use of the base, Antony merely described Ayni as the best air base in entire Central Asia.

Curiously, there is still no word about what may have transpired during Antony's subsequent visit to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, nor any mention of India's recently reported interest in using a different air base in Tajkistan, Farkhor near the Afghanistan border. The intrigue just keeps getting thicker...

India Reportedly Basing Helicopters, Fighter Jets In Tajikistan | EurasiaNet.org

 

[it'sok]

Whoever wrote the article has tried his best to project the conspiracy theories that India's military is a threat to Pakistan and China.

A. Chinese don't consider India as a threat militarily. They have their game for resources and spreading their influence and India has it's own game. Asia and Africa have enough space for both India, China (and Russia too)

B. It's only the eternally paranoid Indophobic Pakistanis that are concerned about India's military. Chinese aren't. The attention that India gets in CPC official media is due the incessant whining from Pakistani diplomats to derail the Sino-Indian relations.

 

[indianspetsnaz]

we are starting to expand our military to corner in our enemies the berthing rights in Oman and Madagascar and soon Chabahar and now the airbase in Farkhor we should also base MKI's/Jaguars in Bhutan and Nepal to protect the Northeast.

---------- Post added at 08:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:51 PM ----------

with Farkhor we could easily provide air support to IAF in our western sector Pakistan has a less militarized western border compared to its east so with MiG-29 providing coverage to Jaguar and M2K the IAF has a flanking edge.