Just at the eastern tip of Pangong Lake in Tibet, about 110 km from one of the 2020 Ladakh clash sites, China is quietly building a major air-defence installation, according to some recent satellite imagery reported by India Today.
The images showed a series of covered missile launch positions, possibly fitted with sliding or retractable roofs. These bays, experts say, are designed to hide and protect Transporter Erector Launcher (TEL) vehicles, mobile systems capable of carrying and firing long-range surface-to-air missiles, per the report.
Intelligence sources believe these hardened shelters could be used for China’s HQ-9 long-range SAM systems that can engage aerial targets over 200 km away.
The layout of the complex was first identified by AllSource Analysis (ASA), a US-based geo-intelligence firm. The researchers also found a replica of this facility at Gar County, roughly 65 km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) directly opposite India’s newly upgraded Nyoma airfield in eastern Ladakh.
Independent imagery reviewed by India Today’s OSINT team, sourced from US-based Vantor Space Intelligence, confirmed the presence of sliding roofs over the suspected missile launch bays, each wide enough to house two vehicles.
Notably, a Vantor satellite image from September 29 showed the open roofs of at least one launch position at Gar County.
“The covered missile launch positions feature a roof with hatches, allowing the launchers to remain concealed and protected while firing through the hatches when opened,” AllSource Analysis said in a note released on Wednesday.
“This configuration reduces opportunities to detect the presence or exact positions of TELs within the complex and shields them from possible strikes.”
