|
fixes, there are no Indian combat aircraft there right now
|
m coordinates
|
||
| Line 12: | Line 12: | ||
|map_caption = Location within Tajikistan |
|map_caption = Location within Tajikistan |
||
|type = Military base |
|type = Military base |
||
|coordinates = {{coord|37.4701|69.3809|type:landmark|display=inline}} |
|coordinates = {{coord|37.4701|69.3809|type:landmark|display=inline,title}} |
||
|code = |
|code = |
||
|built = |
|built = |
||
| Farkhor Air Base | |
|---|---|
| Farkhor, Tajikistan | |
  Farkhor Air Base
| |
| Coordinates | 37°28′12″N 69°22′51″E / 37.4701°N 69.3809°E / 37.4701; 69.3809 |
| Type | Military base |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Tajikistan Air Force |
| Controlled by | Indian Air Force Tajikistan Air Force |
| Site history | |
| Materials | Asphalt |
| Garrison information | |
| Occupants | Indian Air Force Tajikistan Air Force |
Farkhor Air Base is a military air base located near the town of FarkhorinTajikistan, 130 kilometres (81 mi) southeast of the capital Dushanbe.[1] It was planned to be operated by the Indian Air Force in collaboration with the Tajik Air Force.[2] Farkhor is India's first military base outside its territory.[1]
In 1996–97, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) started negotiations with Tajikistan to use the Farkhor Air Base to transport high-altitude military supplies to the Afghan Northern Alliance, service their helicopters and gather intelligence. At that time, India operated a small military hospital in the Farkhor region.[1] The hospital at Farkhor was used to treat Afghan Northern Alliance members injured in fighting with the Taliban, including military leader Ahmed Shah Massoud, who was rushed there after a suicide attack against him.[3]
In 2002, India acknowledged that it was setting up an air base in Farkhor.[4] It was secured with assistance from Russia.[5] The airbase was in a dilapidated condition[6] and was not used since the 1980s. The Indian Government awarded a $10 million tender to a private builder in 2003 to restore the airbase by 2005.
After the builder defaulted, the Border Roads Organisation stepped in to complete the work.[2] In 2006, India was considering deploying a squadron of Mikoyan MiG-29 aircraft at the base.[7] Subsequently the base was operationalized by 2007.[citation needed]
The Farkhor Air Base would have given the Indian Armed Forces more depth and range and is a tangible manifestation of India's move to project its power in Central Asia.[8]
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
