Nyoma airbase to boost operational, logistical capability in Ladakh, but vulnerabilities persist

The conversion of a mud airstrip at Nyoma, close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in south-eastern Ladakh, into a full-fledged airbase capable of handling fighter operations, offers several operational and logistics advantages to the Indian Armed Forces, but the base is not without some vulnerabilities.

While there is no official word from the Ministry of Defence or the Indian Air Force on the status of the upgradation works, which were expected to be completed this month, social media is abuzz with reports of the base being operationalised for fighter operations, with some pictures of SU‑30s purportedly operating from the base doing the rounds.

Officially known as the Mudh-Nyoma Advanced Landing Ground (ALG), it lies about 40 km west of the LAC on the banks of the Indus River adjacent to Nyoma village, a tehsil in Leh district. At an altitude of approximately 13,700 feet, it would be the world’s highest fighter-capable airbase.

The airfield was first built in 1962 and remained unutilised till it was reactivated by the IAF in 2009 for operations by transport aircraft. A trial landing by an AN-32 tactical transporter from No. 48 Squadron flying out of Chandigarh was carried on September that year.

The use of Nyoma boosted the Army’s logistics support in the remote region. Apart from helicopters, AN-32 and C-130 Super Hercules have been operating from Nyoma regularly for ferrying troops and bringing in supplies and equipment. Navigation and support facilities remained rudimentary.

After the 2020 stand-off with China along the LAC, the Central Government decided to convert the airstrip into a full-fledged airbase. The project was initiated in 2021 by the Border Roads Organisation’s (BRO) Project Himank at a cost of about Rs 220 crore.

The works include a 3-km long paved runway, air traffic control complex, hangars and blast pens for protection and other administrative and support infrastructure. This would also enable regular operations by strategic airlifters aircraft like the US C-17 and the Russian IL-76, enabling rapid induction of troops as well as heavy equipment like tanks, rockets, air defence systems and artillery guns. It also offers the element of speed and surprise for launching an operation, according to defence experts.

Besides transport aircraft and helicopters, it is expected that detachments from various fighter squadrons would be deployed at Nyoma on a rotational basis. Unmanned aerial vehicles as well as attack helicopters like the Apache, which have been deployed to Ladakh since the stand-off, too could operate from this base regularly.

The permanent stationing of aerial assets at Nyoma, apart from being a deterrence, vis-a-vis China, will also boost surveillance and intelligence gathering operations along the LAC. At present Leh and Thoise, located at altitudes of around 10,000 feet, are the only airfields in Ladakh capable of fighter operations.

While there are other unpaved ALGs like Fukche in Nyoma’s vicinity, the nearest paved airstrip is Leh, over 200 km away to the north, and Thoise, further on, to which heavy equipment earmarked for operations in Ladakh is airlifted. Though the C-17s and IL-76s are capable of operating from unpaved airstrips, there are no such known instances of their undertaking such missions in Ladakh.

Nyoma and Fukche provide logistics support for the sensitive Demchok Sector and Depsang Plains that see frequent Chinese activity and are points of friction between India and China over territorial claims and troop deployments.

On the other hand, some experts say that Nyoma has its vulnerabilities. It is the third highest airfield in Ladakh after Daulat Beg Oldie, the world’s highest strip at 16,800 feet and Fukche at 14,300 feet. This makes it prone to the vagaries of the weather when temperatures dip to minus 40˚C in winters, with heavy snow and strong winds battering the area.

The rarified air degrades engine performance of the aircraft, including fighters, requiring longer runway lengths while reducing payload capacity by almost a half. Storing fuel, oils and lubricants in extreme temperatures and integrity of certain electronic components and avionics is also a problem.

In addition, Nyoma’s proximity to the LAC brings it within range of Chinese artillery and smaller tactical drones that are harder to detect, as well as makes it prone to electronic warfare. Its remote location and limited road access, which is prone to interdiction, is also an issue. Some experts argue that it may lose its advantages after the initial phase of conflict.