The Mudh airstrip in Nyoma, Ladakh. (Photo: X/@jtnladakh)
New Delhi: India’s highest airfield, the Mudh advanced landing ground (ALG) in Nyoma subdivision, eastern Ladakh, is nearing completion at an altitude of 13,700 feet. Located approximately 35 kilometres from the line of actual control (LAC) with China and about 200 kilometres from Leh, this strategic facility is being developed by the Border Roads Organization (BRO). As of late October 2024, 95 per cent of the 2.7-kilometre runway has been completed.
The ALG’s is expected to become fully operational by September 2025 when additional infrastructure, such as hangars and air traffic control facilities, will be finalized. This will be the world’s highest fighter airfield of its kind, once completed and operationalized.
The Nyoma ALG is poised to enhance India’s military presence in this sensitive region. Constructed at a strategic altitude and designed to accommodate all types of fighter aircraft, this airfield is set to be one of the world’s highest of its kind. This project, which carries a budget of approximately ₹200 crore, is part of India’s larger effort to boost its infrastructure along the northern borders.
Location of the Mudh ALG in Nyoma, near the LAC. (Google Maps)
Its elevation and proximity to the LAC allow for rapid deployment and mobilization of troops and military equipment, which will significantly improve the country’s strategic posture in a region marked by historical tensions with China. The airfield is designed to accommodate various military unmanned, rotary-wing, fixed-wing aircraft, including heavier transport planes, like C-17 Globemaster III, and fighter jets, like the Sukhoi-30MKI.
This will also enhance India’s surveillance over China far across the LAC, especially using its high-altitude advanced drones, which India will start getting from the United States soon.
With existing road access and further infrastructure improvements underway, Nyoma will also serve as a critical logistical and tactical hub, providing the Indian Air Force with the ability to maintain a rapid and sustained presence in Ladakh. It may be noted that the IAF has previously deployed significant assets to Nyoma, including Mi-17 helicopters and Apache attack helicopters.
Beyond military implications, the Nyoma airfield is expected to stimulate local economic growth. Improved connectivity will benefit tourism and local communities, as better access may lead to increased visitor numbers to this remote region.
Colonel Ponung Doming, who is overseeing the project, highlighted that infrastructure improvements not only support military needs but also enhance civilian welfare by facilitating easier travel for residents and tourists alike.
