SOURCE: AFI
In a significant strategic move, India has deployed its advanced S-400 air defense missile system near the Siliguri Corridor, colloquially known as the “Chicken’s Neck,” a narrow strip of land that connects mainland India to its northeastern states. This deployment comes as a direct response to heightened air activities by both Bangladesh and China in the region, raising concerns over security and territorial integrity in this geopolitically sensitive area.
The deployment follows reports of increased military activity by Bangladesh under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, which India considers an “illegal regime” following the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. Relations between New Delhi and Dhaka, once robust under Hasina’s leadership, have deteriorated sharply since her departure. Adding to the strain, Bangladesh has recently operationalized Turkish-procured Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) near the West Bengal border and Meghalaya, areas perilously close to the Chicken’s Neck.
According to sources, including the Indian Defence Research Wing (idrw.org), Bangladesh’s 67th Army has deployed these medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) drones for enhanced surveillance and reconnaissance missions. The Bayraktar TB2, known for its combat-proven capabilities in conflicts like Nagorno-Karabakh, can carry laser-guided munitions and boasts a flight endurance of over 24 hours with an operational range of approximately 300 kilometers. Its deployment near the Chicken’s Neck—a critical chokepoint only 22 kilometers wide at its narrowest—has alarmed Indian defense planners, who see it as a potential threat to national security, especially given the region’s proximity to the vital corridor linking India’s northeast.
Bangladesh has claimed that the TB2 UAVs are intended for defensive purposes, but their strategic positioning has fueled suspicions in New Delhi. Intelligence reports also suggest a resurgence of extremist groups and smuggling networks exploiting Bangladesh’s political instability, further complicating the security landscape along the border.
Simultaneously, China has intensified its aerial operations near India’s northern borders, particularly close to Sikkim. Reports from idrw.org indicate that Beijing has been expanding the use of High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) UAVs in the region. These advanced drones, capable of operating at altitudes exceeding 50,000 feet and conducting long-range surveillance, have been spotted near the Himalayan frontier, raising concerns about China’s intentions in this contested area.
The increased Chinese air activity aligns with its broader strategic ambitions, including the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which has seen growing cooperation with Bangladesh under Yunus’s administration. India views this alignment as a direct challenge to its regional influence, particularly as China seeks to bolster its presence in the Indo-Pacific and along India’s borders.
India’s response has been swift and decisive. The S-400 Triumph, a state-of-the-art Russian-made air defense system, is capable of engaging a wide range of aerial threats—including aircraft, drones, and ballistic missiles—at ranges of up to 400 kilometers. Its deployment near the Chicken’s Neck, likely around the Bagdogra Air Force Station in West Bengal (approximately 12 kilometers from Siliguri), provides a robust shield against potential incursions from both Bangladesh and China.
The S-400’s advanced radar and missile capabilities make it a formidable deterrent. It can track and neutralize low-observable targets like the TB2 UAVs and potentially counter China’s HALE UAVs, ensuring that India maintains air superiority in this critical region. This move complements other defensive measures, such as the stationing of Rafale fighter jets and BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, creating a multi-layered defense network to safeguard the Siliguri Corridor.
The Chicken’s Neck has long been a focal point of India’s security calculus due to its vulnerability. A disruption here could sever the connection between India’s mainland and its northeastern states, a scenario that both Bangladesh and China could exploit amid rising tensions. India’s deployment of the S-400 underscores its determination to protect this vital artery and send a clear message to its neighbors.
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