Here's Everything You Need To Know About Upcoming World's Highest Fighter Airfield In Ladakh's Nyoma

In the remote and challenging terrain of Ladakh, an ambitious project is underway that will not only bolster the country's defence capabilities but also make history.

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is diligently working on the construction of what is set to become the world's highest fighter airfield in Nyoma, a village nestled at a staggering altitude of approximately 13,700 feet.

On 12 September, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh laid the foundation stone for the airfield.  The construction of this airfield is estimated to cost Rs 218 crore.

Strategic Significance of Nyoma

Nyoma is located in eastern Ladakh 46 kilometre from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between India and China.

Nyoma is on the southern shores of Pangong Tso and holds immense strategic importance due to its proximity to the 3,488 Km stretch of the LAC.

In 2020, amid heightened tensions between India and China, the Indian Air Force made a pivotal decision to deploy a fleet of Mi-17 medium-lift helicopters, CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopters, and AH-64E Apache attack helicopters to Nyoma.

The construction of the Nyoma airfield will not only enable the seamless operation of heavier transport aircraft but also pave the way for the deployment of fighter jets, including the MiG-29 and Su-30 MKI. The new runway will bring these formidable aircraft much closer to the LAC, enhancing India's defensive posture in the region.

This move was aimed at providing essential support to troops stationed in forward areas, conducting surveillance operations, and gathering crucial intelligence.

Nyoma currently operates as an Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) with a rudimentary mud runway. While this limited infrastructure has facilitated the operation of specialised transport aircraft like the C-130J and various helicopters, it has its limitations. Recognising the need to further strengthen its presence in this strategically sensitive region, India embarked on an ambitious endeavour to transform Nyoma into a fully operational fighter airfield.

Line of Actual Control (LAC) ?

The Line of Actual Control (LAC) separates Indian-controlled territory from Chinese-controlled territory. The LAC is 3,488 km long in India, but just roughly 2,000 kilometres in China. It is separated into three sectors: the eastern (Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim), the middle (Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh), and the western (Ladakh).

India is also pushing ahead with the construction of roads, bridges, and tunnels along the LAC to make the movement of troops and equipment to the border with Tibet easier. It is also investing heavily in the development of border villages under the Vibrant Villages Programme.

India's action comes as China has already completed upgrades to all of its facilities along the LAC, including larger runways and tougher shelters, among other things. It has also built new heliports, including one in Tianshuihai, near the Galwan Valley and the Aksai Chin region, and another in Rutog County, near the northern bank of the Pangong Tso, according to ThePrint.