Vijaynagar Airfield is Crucial from Strategic Point of View: Defence Ministry
News Desk
Defence Ministry views the Vijaynagar Airfield crucial from strategic point of view.
As per the official statement of Ministry of Defence, “The airfield is important not only for the local administration in extending their reach to the residents of this remote area, but also crucial from a strategic point of view.”
It further stated that the Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) would assist the efficient management of India’s borders with Myanmar and facilitate launch of joint operations by Indian Army and Air Force for the defence of the Vijaynagar salient.
Air Marshal RD Mathur, Air officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C), Eastern Air Command and Lieutenant General Anil Chauhan, General officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command jointly inaugurated the resurfaced runway in Vijaynagar on 18 September 2019(Wednesday).
Several other high ranking officers of the Indian Army and Air Force attended the event.
The repairing of the runway was coordinated by Air Force Station Jorhat.
As per the officials, it was considered to be a challenging task as there is no road connectivity and the entire load had to be airlifted by helicopters.
Other seven ALGs which have been made operational by EAC are Pasighat, Mechuka ,Walong , Tuting , Ziro , Along and Tawang . Vijaynagar ALG have been non operational for fixed wing operations since 2016.
India and Myanmar have been involved in joint operations to flush out insurgents based in Myanmar, close to the Indian border.
The movement of larger transport aircrafts to and from this airfield is believed to act as a catalyst for the development of the area and also facilitate the movement of locals.