In what matches the rapid deployment of Chinese across the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the Nyoma airstrip in Eastern Ladakh now has a black-top, means a paved runway. The IAF will start operating transport planes and attack helicopters from the location.

Notably, it will take another two years for allied infrastructure to come up, however, the landing strip is paved and ready to take transport planes. The initial trials for landing the planes are already underway. The IAF has an operational base in Leh and full-fledged airstrips in Kargil and Thoise (base of Siachen). The one at Nyoma will be the fourth in Ladakh.

Nyoma, located on the banks of the Indus, is some 180 km south-east of Leh at an altitude of 13,700 feet and is just 30 km from the LAC. It is a natural flat and was earlier being used by helicopters and special operation planes like C-130 J that can land on the mud-paved runways.

In September last year, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had laid the foundation stone to make a base at Nyoma. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO), under the MoD, is taking up the Rs 214-crore project that includes paved runway. Once the base is fully ready, it will have the ability to launch and recover planes and also carry out minor maintenance jobs. The BRO plans to complete the project in two years. The site is spread over 1,235 acres. The alignment of Nyoma is that aircraft can land and take off from both directions.

After the military stand-off with China in April 2020 along the LAC and the subsequent clash at Galwan in Eastern Ladakh in June 2020, a major air effort was launched.

Over 68,000 soldiers, around 90 tanks, nearly 330 BMP infantry combat vehicles, radar systems, artillery guns and other equipment were airlifted by the Air Force after the Galwan clash. This was a part of the rapid deployment along the LAC.

At the start of the stand-off, the IAF deployed its Su-30 MKI and Jaguar jets for round-the-clock surveillance and intelligence gathering on the enemy build-up. Since then, squadrons of Rafale and MiG-29 have also been deployed in Ladakh.

The IAF also quickly enhanced its air defence capabilities and combat readiness by installing various radars and bringing a range of surface-to-air guided weapons to frontline bases along the LAC in the region.

Courtesy: The Tribune India: 3rd March , 2024