The government of India has decided to expand the Air Force Station near Tezpur in Assam, one of the most strategically important air force bases close to the China border. The decision was revealed in a gazette notification for the acquisition of 382.82 acres of private land in Bokajan village in Sonitpur district, where the Tezpur Air Force Station is located.
As per the notification issued by the Ministry of Rural Development on December 30, 2025, the land will support infrastructure upgrades and the integration of advanced weapon systems at the station’s 11 Wing. The notification states that it has been issued for “acquisition of private land measuring 382.82 acres for Air Force Station Tezpur at Bokajan Village, District Sonitpur (Assam) for infrastructure development, introduction of advanced weapon system and associated strategic assets at 11 wing Air Force Station.”
This development comes as India continues to enhance its military presence along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, following heightened tensions since the 2020 Galwan Valley clash. The government has accelerated development of roads and bridges in the border areas, and has revived several British-era airstrips as strategically vital Advanced Landing Grounds. The land acquisition aligns with ongoing efforts to modernise IAF infrastructure in the Northeast, including expansions at nearby bases.
Tezpur AFS, a key hub for the Indian Air Force (IAF) in the Eastern Air Command, plays a pivotal role in rapid response operations and airpower projection in the region. Also known as Salonibari Air Force Station or Tezpur Airport, it has a rich history dating back to World War II, and also supports civilian air travel.
Established in 1942 by the Royal Indian Air Force, the runway initially served as a base for the United States Army Air Forces’ Tenth Air Force, supporting B-24 Liberator bomber operations during the conflict. Post-independence, it was converted into a full-fledged IAF base in 1959. Over the decades, the station has hosted a variety of aircraft, including de Havilland Vampires, Dassault Ouragans, and MiG-21s.
Today, it is home to the IAF’s No. 2 Squadron (“Winged Arrows”) and No. 106 Squadron (“Lynx”), both equipped with advanced Sukhoi Su-30MKI multirole fighters. These squadrons are crucial for maintaining air superiority and conducting surveillance missions in the eastern sector.
The dual-use facility operates as both a military airbase and a domestic airport under the Airports Authority of India. It spans 22 acres, featuring a single 9,010-foot asphalt runway.
Strategically positioned approximately 150-200 kilometres from the LAC, Tezpur AFS forms a critical link in India’s chain of forward airbases east of the “Chicken’s Neck” corridor.
Its location enables swift deployment against potential threats, underscoring its importance in countering Chinese military activities in the Arunachal Pradesh frontier.
Located about 8.5 kilometres from Tezpur city centre in Assam, the airport handles regional flights by carriers like Alliance Air, connecting to destinations such as Guwahati, Kolkata, and Shillong. However, currently, civilian operations are suspended at the airport due to runway resurfacing work.
IAF has another airstrip in the region, the Misamari Airstrip, located around 20 km away from the Tezpur station.
