Nyoma Air Base Poised to Enhance India’s High-Altitude Air Power in Ladakh

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India is on track to significantly bolster its air power capabilities along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, as the strategically crucial Nyoma Air Base in eastern Ladakh is set to become operational by October 2025. This development, spearheaded by the Border Roads Organization (BRO), aims to enhance India’s rapid deployment and air operational readiness in the challenging high-altitude terrain, directly addressing the existing air power balance with China in the region.

The Nyoma Air Base, situated at an altitude of approximately 13,700 feet, is undergoing a substantial upgrade from its previous status as an Advanced Landing Ground (ALG). The project involves extending and strengthening the original airstrip into a 2.7-kilometer “rigid pavement” runway, capable of accommodating a wide range of fixed-wing aircraft, including heavy-lift transport planes and fighter jets such as the Rafale and Sukhoi Su-30MKI. This transformation is part of a broader effort to improve infrastructure along the 3,488-kilometer LAC, a necessity highlighted by the 2020 military standoff with China.

According to Lieutenant General Raghu Srinivasan, Director General of the BRO, the primary runway and associated infrastructure, including the Air Traffic Control (ATC) complex, hangars, and crash bays, are nearing completion. “The plan is to complete the remaining work by October,” he stated, emphasizing the accelerated pace of the project. Once fully operational, Nyoma will serve as a vital forward staging ground for troops and supplies, ensuring swift logistical support and enhanced response times during any border contingencies.

The strategic importance of Nyoma cannot be overstated. Located just 30 to 50 kilometers from the LAC, it will be India’s third fighter-capable airbase in Ladakh, complementing the existing airfields at Leh and Thoise. This network of high-altitude airbases provides India with a crucial advantage, as Chinese airbases on the Tibetan Plateau often face limitations in payload and fuel capacity due to the rarefied air at extreme altitudes. The upgrade of Nyoma allows for more sustained and effective air operations in the region, including rapid interdiction strikes and close air support.

The operationalization of the Nyoma Air Base by October marks a significant step in India’s efforts to enhance its defensive and offensive capabilities along the eastern Ladakh frontier. This strategic asset will serve as a cornerstone of India’s high-altitude defense strategy, contributing to a more robust and responsive military posture in the face of evolving geopolitical dynamics.