Importance of upgrading Nyoma ALG for the Indian military amidst Chinese incursions

India and China have been locked in a tense standoff since the past 33 months. There has also been enhanced Chinese activity along the LAC from eastern Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh in recent months

New Delhi, Feb 08: The upgrade of the critical Nyoma advance landing ground (ALG) in Eastern Ladakh is all set to kick-off to ensure that India can handle fighter operations, in the event of China consolidating all its air bases and military positions.

India and China have been locked in a tense stand-off for the past 33 months.

The 230 crore udgrade work at Nyoma ALG, includes extending and strengthening the existing airstrip into a 2.7 km 'rigid pavement,' a Times of India report said.

The Nyoma ALG is located less than 50-kilometres from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and is at an altitude of over 13,400 feet. To complete the entire upgrade it would three working sessions by the Border Roads organisation. The upgrade also includes dispersal areas, hangars and other allied infrastructure, the report also said. The upgrade is expected to be completed by mid-2025.

Nyoma is of a great deal of importance for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Army as it bridges the gap between the Lee airfield around 190-km away from the LAC. It has also been extensively used for deployment of heat weapon systems such as tanks since the multiple Chinese incursions into eastern Ladakh in April-May 2020.

The heavy-lift Chinook, medium-lift Mi-17 V5 and Apache attack helicopters and the C-130 K Super Hercules aircraft also regularly operate from the Nyoma ALG. The Army too has been practicing air drops of paratroopers here.

The report also said that there has been a long-felt operational need to make Nyoma capable of handling fighters like the Rafales and Sukhoi-3MKIs for both defensive and offensive operations. The operations from the Lee and Thoise airfields at times get disrupted due to bad weather.The weather in Nyoma is much better all through the year, the report further said.

The past couple of months has been a spike in Chinese activities in the LAC stretching from eastern Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh. The IAF has even scrambled fighters in a precautionary air defence response. On the other hand, China has upgraded all its major air-bases facing India.

About the Nyoma Advance Landing Ground:

Nyoma ALG is an Indian Air Force airbase which is locate in Nyoma, Ladakh. It is also strategically located near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. It serves as a forward airbase for the UAF. The airbase plays a crucial role in supporting Indian military operations in the region and it is seen as a key component of India's defence posture in the region. The airbase was modernised to handle a variety of aircraft, which include transport planes, fighter jets and helicopter gunships.