Defence
Ladakh To Get New Air Base For Fighter Operations With Upgrade Of Nyoma ALG Near LAC; Work To Start In June
IAF’s C-130J lands at an ALG. (Indian Air Force).
The construction work for the upgradation of the Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) at Nyoma in eastern Ladakh will start from May-June of 2023, reports Times Of India.
The Times Of India report quoted officials as saying that the ALG will be upgraded with a 2.7 km “rigid pavement” runway, from where fixed-wing aircraft of all types, including fighter jets, can land and take off for offensive and defensive operations.
The upgrade will cost Rs 230 crore and will take at least “three working seasons” to complete which includes dispersal areas, hangars and allied infrastructure, said the official.
The ALG will be located at an elevation of 13,000 feet. The construction is estimated to be completed by mid-2025.
Located less than 50 km away from the Line of Actual Control (LAC), it will have strategic implications, allowing faster deployment of men and materials in areas close to the LAC.
The Border Roads Organisation had invited bids for the project in December last year. The agency, responsible for the construction and upkeep of infrastructure in border areas, has seeen its capital budget increase by by 43 per cent to Rs 5,000 crore in the 2023-24 budget.
It is noteworthy because of the rapid construction of forward airstrips, helipads, roads and bridges by the Chinese on their side of the LAC.
Tensions have flared up between India and China, since the 2020 Galwan clash, where Chinese and Indian soldiers were killed.
Just in December last year, some soldiers were injured in a clash at Yangtse, in Arunachal Pradesh. The Indian Army thwarted Chinese attempts to take control of tactically important peaks in the region and chased away the People's Liberation Army soldiers trying to intrude into Indian territory.
During the continuing standoff with China, the Nyoma airfield has witnessed operations by Chinook heavy-lift choppers and C-130J Special Operations aircraft for the transportation of personnel and equipment.
Apache attack helicopters and the Garud special forces from Mi-17 helicopters have also operated out of the ALG during the peak of the crisis in Eastern Ladakh in 2020.
This upgradation will allow the use of heavier C-17s and IL-76s and fighters like Tejas, Rafale and Su-30 MKIs from the ALG.
Support Swarajya's 50 Ground Reports Project & Sponsor A Story
Every general election Swarajya does a 50 ground reports project.
Aimed only at serious readers and those who appreciate the nuances of political undercurrents, the project provides a sense of India's electoral landscape. As you know, these reports are produced after considerable investment of travel, time and effort on the ground.
This time too we've kicked off the project in style and have covered over 30 constituencies already. If you're someone who appreciates such work and have enjoyed our coverage please consider sponsoring a ground report for just Rs 2999 to Rs 19,999 - it goes a long way in helping us produce more quality reportage.
You can also back this project by becoming a subscriber for as little as Rs 999 - so do click on this links and choose a plan that suits you and back us.
Click below to contribute.
Latest
