Why Tibet’s Geography Could Give the Indian Air Force an Edge Over China ?
Karma Ngawang 
Credit: IDRW.ORG
Introduction
Geography can be a more powerful weapon than numbers of aircraft. This is the core message from Lt Gen P.R. Shankar (Retd), former Director General of Artillery of the Indian Army. In a recent interview with the Chakra News YouTube channel (reported by AFI on 25 July 2026), he explained why the Indian Air Force still holds an important operational advantage over the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force along the Line of Actual Control, despite concerns about India’s declining fighter squadron strength.
The Tyranny of High Altitude
The Tibetan Plateau sits at extreme heights. Chinese air bases there face serious physical limitations. Aircraft taking off from these high-altitude airfields cannot carry full weapon loads. They need longer runways, burn more fuel, and have reduced combat range. Lt Gen Shankar pointed out that China simply “does not have depth in Tibet.” Most of its forward air bases, logistics hubs and support facilities are packed into a relatively narrow strip close to the border.
He estimated that China’s operational depth from the LAC is only about 250 kilometres. This means critical Chinese military infrastructure is concentrated and more vulnerable to concentrated precision strikes.
India’s Geographical Advantage
In contrast, the Indian Air Force operates from air bases located at much lower altitudes across northern and eastern India. These bases allow aircraft to carry heavier payloads and operate more efficiently. India also enjoys greater infrastructure depth. Its airfields are spread across a wider area, giving more options to disperse aircraft and absorb potential attacks.
As Lt Gen Shankar put it, the key factor is not merely how many aircraft each side possesses, but the geography from which those aircraft must fly. “The enemy is in Tibet… He has got tremendous constraints out there,” he said.
“China Is a Dead Duck”
The retired general made a striking remark: if India can effectively concentrate its long-range precision firepower against the limited number of critical targets in Tibet, then “China is a dead duck.” This statement reflects a classic military principle geography shapes the battlefield more than raw numbers in high-altitude warfare.
The Missing Triangle India Must Fix
However, Lt Gen Shankar warned that India cannot rely on geography alone. He identified a “missing triangle” that India must urgently address to maintain its advantage.
First, the Indian Air Force needs to rebuild its fighter strength. The force currently operates well below its sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons. Timely induction of Tejas Mk1A, the future Tejas Mk2, and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is essential.
Second, India must strengthen what he called the “Sudarshan Chakra” a powerful, layered air defence and missile shield. Systems such as the S-400, the indigenous Project Kusha long-range air defence system, and other layered capabilities are needed to deny the adversary freedom of air operations.
Third, India must optimise its long-range precision strike capability. The ability to rapidly hit Chinese military infrastructure in Tibet would allow India to exploit the geographical constraints faced by the People’s Liberation Army.
Conclusion
Lt Gen P.R. Shankar’s assessment is clear and grounded in military reality. While fighter numbers matter, operational effectiveness in the Himalayas depends equally on geography, logistics, integrated air defence, and precision strike power. The Tibetan Plateau imposes harsh limitations on Chinese air operations. If India addresses its own capability gaps, this geographical advantage can remain a decisive factor in any future contingency along the northern borders.
About the Author
Jun Hao 
