From Delay To Defence: PM Modi Puts Deesa Air Base In Strategic Focus

Last Updated:April 01, 2026, 16:16 IST

Modi highlights strategic Deesa air base in Gujarat near Pakistan, says his government revived long delayed project, boosting Indias western air defence.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Gujarat on Tuesday, underscored the strategic importance of the Deesa air base, saying the project had remained stuck for years despite its significance to national security.

Referring to delays under previous governments, Modi said the need for the base had long been recognised, but the project gained momentum only after his government cleared pending files and pushed it forward. The air base was inaugurated in October 2022 and is now being developed as a key node in India’s western air defence network.

A critical location near the Pakistan border

Located in Banaskantha district, around 130 km from the Pakistan border, Deesa fills a long-standing gap in India’s western air defence grid.

For years, there was no major air base in this stretch of Gujarat between the Indian Air Force’s existing facilities at Jodhpur, Nal, Naliya and Bhuj. Defence officials have viewed this gap as a vulnerability, particularly given the operational demands of the western sector.

With Deesa coming up, the IAF gains a strategically placed facility that can support both defensive and offensive operations close to the border.

What role will Deesa play?

The air base is expected to function as a Forward Base Support Unit (FBSU), with infrastructure to host radars, helicopters and surveillance assets, while also being capable of supporting fighter aircraft operations when required.

Once fully operational, it is expected to strengthen aerial surveillance and military readiness over Kutch and surrounding areas. It will also add a layer of protection to strategic infrastructure in Gujarat, including critical energy and industrial assets such as the Jamnagar refinery.

Boosting India’s strike and response capability

Beyond plugging a defensive gap, Deesa also improves the IAF’s ability to respond quickly along the western front.

The base helps connect the operational arc between Naliya and Bhuj in Gujarat and Phalodi in Rajasthan, improving deployment flexibility and reducing response time during contingencies.

Its location allows Indian fighter aircraft quicker access to key sectors across the border if needed, enhancing both reach and readiness. Defence planners see this as particularly important for rapid deployment and sustained air operations in the event of a conflict.

A project delayed for years

The proposal for the Deesa air base dates back to 2000, when the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government gave it in-principle approval and land was allocated. However, the project remained delayed for over a decade.

It was revived after Modi came to power, with a major push coming in the aftermath of the 2017 Banaskantha floods.

During flood relief operations, the absence of a nearby air base made it harder for the Air Force to build an effective air bridge for rescue and support missions. That experience is understood to have accelerated the decision-making process, with the government eventually clearing the project and sanctioning around Rs 1,000 crore for its development.

A new military hub in Gujarat

Spread across nearly 4,500 acres, Deesa is being developed as a greenfield air base in phases.

The site already includes a 22-km boundary wall and several watchtowers, and it will operate under the South Western Air Command once fully integrated into the IAF network.

When completed, Deesa is expected to significantly improve India’s surveillance, deployment and air defence capabilities in the western sector.

With Deesa, Gujarat’s military aviation footprint also expands further. The state will now host five air bases: Vadodara, Jamnagar, Bhuj, Naliya and Deesa reinforcing its importance in India’s western defence architecture.

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