India to build new airfield in eastern Ladakh, all set to beat China
India is going to take another big step to beat China in Ladakh. In fact, recently several media reports have claimed that China is building heavy infrastructure in areas adjacent to eastern Ladakh. Now India is going to start construction of a new airfield in Nyoma soon to counter China. Nyoma is a very important area of Eastern Ladakh.
Indian Army officials said on Thursday that India is soon going to start construction work for the upgradation of its Nyoma Advanced Landing Ground to operate fighter jets at a distance of less than 50 km from the LAC. Nyoma airfield has been used to transport troops and material during the ongoing standoff with China. Chinook heavy-lift helicopters and C-130J special operations aircraft have also been grounded in this airfield.
Senior defense officials told ANI, “Nyoma Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) will soon be upgraded for fighter aircraft operations. Most of the necessary clearances and approvals have already arrived. As per the plan, the new airfield and military infrastructure will be constructed by the Border Roads Organisation. Upgradation of ALG will give a lot of power to the IAF.
The capability to operate fighter jets from this area will strengthen the IAF’s ability to rapidly deal with any misadventure by adversaries. He said that the inauguration of construction work in the Eastern Ladakh sector is expected to start soon after getting clearance by the Modi government in the area.
India is considering the development of several airfields in eastern Ladakh including Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO), Fukche and Nyoma. These areas are only a few minutes away from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. The IAF’s Mi-17 helicopter, Apache attack helicopter, Chinook heavy-lift helicopter have already been landed at Nyoma Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) and Garuda Special Forces operation has also been conducted here.
Recently, Indian Air Force Group Captain Ajay Rathi explained the importance of advanced landing grounds 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 airspace and LAC. It enables quick movement of troops and material in eastern Ladakh,” Rathi said.
