According to reliable sources in IAF (Indian Air Force), the Ayni/Farkhor Airbase located 10kmaway from Dushanbe (Capital of Tajikistan) has been fully refurbished and ready to be fully operational.
There has been a change of plans however,it was speculated that IAF will deploy two squadrons of MiG-29 fighter planes
but this has now been downgraded to a squadron of Mi-17 helicopters and some Kiran trainer aircrafts.
However many see this only as a prelude to establishing a full fledged military base
accommodating MiG-29s eventually.The IAF pilots housed in the base will provide training for Tajik pilots.
The proposed military base will give India strategic and economic advantages in energy-rich
Central Asia.
Strategic Importance of Ayni Airbase
- Indian military presence in Tajikistan gives INDIA significant strategic influence in Central Asia
- The Energy Rich Central Asian Region is very important to the growing energy needs of INDIA
- Ayni is very close to Afghanistan and Pakistan is just about 35 km away from Ayni which will help INDIA keep a closer watch on these regions these regions.
- It is speculated that special forces would be deployed eventually which will help INDIA move in quickly in wake of a war or on occasions when national interests are threatened
Tajikistan
