INDIA TO SOON UPGRADE NYOMA AIRFIELD LOCATED NEAR LAC WITH CHINA, BRO TO CONSTRUCT NEW RUNWAY; CONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN SHORTLY

India will soon start the construction work of its Nyoma advanced landing ground for fighter aircraft operations less than 50 kilometres from the LAC in eastern Ladakh, Indian Army officials announced on Thursday, amid concerns that China is building new military infrastructure on its side.

During the ongoing standoff with China, the Nyoma airfield has witnessed operations by Chinook heavy-lift choppers and C-130J Special Operations Aircraft for the transportation of men and material.

"The ALG is going to be soon upgraded for fighter aircraft operations as most of the required clearances and approvals have come already. As per plans, the construction of the new airfield and the military infrastructure would be done by the Border Roads Organisation," senior defence officials told ANI.

The capability to control fighter aircraft from this area would increase the Air Force's capacity to respond more quickly to any misadventures by the adversary.

Following the Modi government's approval of the area, they claimed, development work is anticipated to officially start shortly in the eastern Ladakh sector.

Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO), Fukche, and Nyoma, which are a short distance from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, are multiple options that India has been considering for establishing airfields in eastern Ladakh.

IAF Group Captain Ajay Rathi has emphasised the value of having a advanced landing area like Nyoma.

"Nyoma ALG has strategic importance due to its close proximity to the Line of Actual Control. It bridges the critical gap between Leh airfield and the LAC enabling quick movement of men and material in eastern Ladakh, overcoming terrain friction," Rathi had said.

The Nyoma airbase Chief Operations Officer said the ALG will "further help in quicker access to the heights and sustenance operations thereafter. The air operations infrastructure at Nyoma enhances the operations capability of forces."

The Igla man-portable air defence missiles have also been deployed by the Air Force to counter any aerial incursions by adversary aircraft. The Indian Air Force often sends out fighter aircraft, like as the Rafale and MiG-29, to conduct operations in eastern Ladakh where there have been numerous troop disengagements.

Since 2020, the Chinese have been building up their military, and they have engaged in aggression under the guise of an exercise. In response, the Indian security forces have responded in equal measure and stopped the Chinese aggression there. Along with a significant upgrade of capabilities in the region, the Indian Air Force is also keeping up with the maintenance of its assets in Leh.