The Air Force will be able to operate fighter planes from here, which will further strengthen the capability to deal with any misadventure of any adversary in the region.
This upgraded advance landing ground (ALG) will be ready for the operation of fighter jets in two years. As per the bid document, the project will cost around ₹214 crore. The site for the new ALG will be spread over 1,235 acres, with a 2.7 km runway along with associated military infrastructure.
The Border Roads Organisation has invited bids seeking contractors to execute the work. The alignment of the runway will be such that the aircraft can land in both directions and its width will be more than 45 meters. The location of the new runway will be near the Leh-Loma road, which will allow quick movement of troops and military material in this sensitive area.
This Air Force airbase being the closest to the LAC on the China border is strategically important. The decision to upgrade the Nyoma airfield near the eastern Ladakh border, the foundation stone of which was laid on September 18, 2009, is seen as a response to Chinese infrastructure development activities, 50 km from the border.
The upgrade of the Nyoma airbase at a distance of less than 1 km will facilitate the operation of fighter and major transport aircraft in the area. From this airspace, it would be convenient to respond immediately to any misadventure by China.
Apache helicopters, Chinook heavy-lift helicopters, Mi-17 helicopters and C-130J special operations aircraft operate from the Nyoma Advanced Landing Ground since the standoff with China began, said the chief operations officer of the Nyoma airbase. Nyoma airfield has been used to supply troops and military material. Chinook and Apache helicopters have worked non-stop to deliver logistics to the troops deployed along the China border.
After the upgrade, fighter jets like Tejas, Mirage-2000 will be able to fly from here, which will increase the air operation capability. Also, reducing the distance of 180 km between Nyoma ALG and Leh will make it easier to transport troops and military goods to eastern Ladakh.
India is also considering several options to develop airfields at Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO), the world’s highest airstrip in eastern Ladakh, and Fukche.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.