Key Points:
- US Air Force boosts F-15 fighter jet presence at Diego Garcia, a key base in the Indian Ocean, now hosting six F-15s.
- Move aims to protect strategic bombers and military assets amid escalating tensions with Iran and regional threats.
- Diego Garcia is just 1,800 km from India’s coast and serves as a crucial hub for US operations in the Indo-Pacific and Middle East.
- The deployment is defensive, not directed at India or Pakistan, and underscores US commitment to regional security.
- The base also currently hosts four B-52 bombers, KC-135 tankers, and a C-17 cargo aircraft.
New Delhi: The United States has ramped up its military presence in India’s neighborhood by deploying additional F-15 fighter jets to Diego Garcia, a strategic outpost in the Indian Ocean. The number of F-15s stationed at the base has increased from four to six, as confirmed by recent satellite imagery and US defense officials. This escalation comes amid heightened tensions with Iran and ongoing US air operations targeting Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Why Diego Garcia Matters
Diego Garcia, located about 1,800 km from India’s Kerala coast, is a vital joint UK-US military base. It serves as a launchpad for US Air Force, Navy, and Space Force operations, and plays a central role in projecting American power across the Indo-Pacific and Middle East. The base is currently home to four B-52H bombers, several KC-135 refueling tankers, a C-17 cargo plane, and now six F-15 fighter jets.
Purpose of the Deployment
The latest deployment is not aimed at India or Pakistan. Instead, it is a direct response to growing threats from Iran and its regional proxies. US officials have cited the need to provide “force protection” for the bombers and other high-value assets stationed at Diego Garcia. The F-15s are tasked with defending the island against potential air or missile attacks, particularly as Iran has developed long-range drones and missile-launching vessels that could threaten US interests in the region.
The F-15C and F-15E Strike Eagle variants deployed are highly capable multirole fighters, equipped for both air superiority and defensive patrols. Their presence adds a critical layer of deterrence, ensuring the security of US strategic bombers and logistics assets at the base.
Regional and Strategic Implications
This move comes as the US and its allies, including Israel, face a volatile security environment. US intelligence suggests Israel is preparing for possible strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, while Washington continues to pressure Tehran over its nuclear program. The US build-up at Diego Garcia is part of a broader strategy to maintain readiness and deter any Iranian retaliation or escalation in the region.
For India and neighboring countries, the increased US military activity at Diego Garcia underscores the island’s significance as a regional security hub. While some in India have previously viewed the base with suspicion, recent years have seen improved US-India defense cooperation and joint exercises in the Indian Ocean.
Aircraft Movement and Logistics
The F-15s now at Diego Garcia were redeployed from Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, covering a distance of nearly 7,100 km with the support of KC-135 aerial refueling tankers. The rapid reinforcement highlights the US military’s ability to project airpower across vast distances and respond swiftly to emerging threats.
The US Air Force’s increased deployment of F-15 fighter jets to Diego Garcia is a strategic move to safeguard American assets amid rising tensions with Iran, not a signal against India or Pakistan. The enhanced force posture at this key Indian Ocean base reflects Washington’s commitment to securing its interests and maintaining stability in a region critical to global security.
