IAF’s heavy-lift plane makes highest-altitude landing at Nyoma

• A heavy-lift transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully landed at Mudh-Nyoma air base in eastern Ladakh at an altitude of over 13,600 feet.

• The IAF described the landing of IL-76MD as the highest-altitude landing ever achieved by the aircraft anywhere in the world.

• The airbase is located at a distance of around 25 km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.

• The IAF said the touchdown was a milestone that reinforces India’s strategic airlift capability.

Key points on Mudh-Nyoma air base:

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh virtually laid the foundation stone of Mudh-Nyoma air base in Eastern Ladakh in September 2023.

• It was constructed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).

• The strategically significant air base, located at a height of 13,629 feet, was operationalised in November 2025. 

• The airbase is capable of handling fighter jets, helicopters and transport planes.

• It was the fourth such air force base in Ladakh. 

• The three others are located in Leh, Kargil and Thoise. 

• The Kargil airstrip is located at an altitude of around 10,500 feet.

• The defence ministry has been focusing on enhancing infrastructure at almost all airfields along the LAC including the Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs) as per operational requirements.

• It is also boosting infrastructure at Daulat Beg Oldi Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) in the Ladakh region.

• The Daulat Beg Oldi ALG is located close to the LAC at an altitude of 16,700 feet and is known as the highest airfield in the world.