Reports noted that India was set to position a first batch of eight Russian-built Sukhoi SU-30 MKI multi-role fighters in the Tezpur Air Base, close to the Sino-Indian border. The deployment of two squadrons of Su-30MKI fighters at Tezpur would greatly enhance India's capability to launch aerial precision attacks on China. India plans to equip the fighters with the latest BrahMos air-to-ground supersonic missiles, which have a 180-mile range1.

• 1. Andrei Chang, “India Set To Ramp Up Air Force Part One,” August 22, 2008, at http://www.spacewar.com/reports/India_Set_To_Ramp_Up_Air_Force_Part_One_...