Why IAF's Adampur air base is India's prized sky guardian

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing IAF personnel at the Adampur airbase in Punjab on Tuesday. (Image credit: X/@narendramodi)

Just 100 km from the Pakistan border, Indian Air Force’s second largest airbase is testament of valour, tactical warfare and sheer grit. When Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the critical frontline airbase on Tuesday, it was more than just a morale-boosting exercise.

The visit was a statement, a sharp swipe at Pakistan’s misinformation campaign. At the peak of the fiercest military standoff since Kargil War, Pakistan had claimed that it had destroyed India’s Sudarshan S-40 air defence system at the airbase.

On Tuesday, PM Modi gave a factcheck to this propaganda as he addressed the airmen with S-400 and Mig-29 in the background. The Tuesday statement from this airbase has once again showcased the strategic importance Adampur.

Developed from a humble airstrip, Adampur Airbase is located between Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur. Now working as into a fully operational airbase, it is the second largest airbase of the Indian Air Force. It is home to 47th Squadron of the IAF, which is also known as ‘Black Archers’. Apart from this, the airbase also hosts a forward deployment of 28th Squadron. Known as ‘First Supersonics’, it has Su-30MKI aircraft.

The 75-year-old airbase has been on the radar of Pakistan since the time of Independence. Be it 1965, 1971 or Kargil War, Pak forces have repeatedly attempted to penetrate the secuirity of Adamapur and failed. On May 9 and 10, Pakistani forces had fired around six missiles at Adampur, which were intercepted nearly 7 km from the airbase.

This was a stark reminder of the precarious situation in this part of India. In 1971 also, when Pakistan had destroyed almost all airbases in Northern and Western India, Adampur was the only functional airbase. Back then, it had Mig-21, Su-7 and a radar system. Taking over 100 sorties, Adampur airbase causes huge loss to north-west Lahore in the 71 war. The airbase, which is responsible for guarding states such as Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, also hosts robust logistics framework. It helps in powering continuous combat ops.