India’s Highest Fighter-Capable Airbase at Neoma (13,700 feet) in Ladakh to Be Operational by October 2025

The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) high-altitude airbase at Mudh–Nyoma in eastern Ladakh is set to become operational by October 2025, government officials have confirmed. Located just 50 kilometres from the LAC and sitting at an elevation of 13,700 feet, this will be the world’s highest fighter-capable airbase once completed.

Strategically positioned to counter China's growing military infrastructure along the border, the Nyoma airbase is being constructed under the supervision of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) as part of a broader infrastructure push in Ladakh. The project, once completed, will allow for rapid deployment of fighter jets, transport aircraft, UAVs, and helicopters close to the frontier, significantly reducing reaction time during emergencies.

History of the Airstrip

Originally used as an Advanced Landing Ground (ALG), the Nyoma airstrip was built in 1962 and was first activated for fixed-wing aircraft operations in 2009, when an Indian Air Force AN-32 landed there. For years, it remained underutilized due to the lack of paved infrastructure. However, after the 2020 Galwan clash and heightened border tensions with China, the airfield's strategic value was reassessed.

Construction for its transformation into a full-fledged fighter-capable airbase began in earnest in 2022, after environmental clearances were secured. The BRO has now completed over 95% of the runway work, with remaining infrastructure—including hangars, air traffic control towers, fuel and weapon storage units, and radar systems—expected to be finished by September 2025.

Strategic Significance

Once operational, Nyoma will become the closest fighter airbase to the LAC, offering a major tactical advantage. In contrast, the next nearest major IAF bases—Leh and Thoise—are located much farther away, limiting quick air response during heightened tensions or conflict.

"The Nyoma airbase gives us a decisive edge in operational reach and response time in eastern Ladakh," a senior defence official stated. “This isn’t just symbolic—it’s a game-changer.”

The new airbase will be capable of supporting IAF frontline fighters such as Sukhoi Su-30MKI, MiG-29UPG, and Rafale, as well as C-130J, C-17 Globemaster, and An-32 transport aircraft. Helicopters like the Apache AH-64E, Chinook, and ALH Dhruv will also operate from the base, bolstering troop mobility and logistics in the remote mountainous terrain.

In addition, Nyoma will serve as a launch point for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and combat drones for surveillance and strike missions across the border.

Countering China’s Build-Up

Over the past few years, China has been steadily building military facilities on its side of the LAC, including new airstrips, heliports, and roads in Tibet and Xinjiang. Facilities such as Rutog and Tianshuihai, located close to Indian territory, have prompted New Delhi to step up its own preparedness.

Military experts suggest that with Nyoma operational, India will match or exceed China’s air posture in eastern Ladakh. The base will allow IAF to launch missions with minimal delay, conduct more persistent patrols, and maintain stronger air superiority in high-altitude zones.

“The ability to launch fighters within minutes from Nyoma during a crisis will be a significant deterrent,” said Air Vice Marshal (retd.) Manmohan Bahadur. “It closes a critical gap in our defensive architecture.”

Broader Infrastructure Push

Nyoma is part of a larger strategic development in Ladakh, which also includes the construction of a new road network to Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO), a vital military post near the Karakoram Pass. Together, these projects form a robust logistic and operational framework, allowing Indian forces to remain agile and prepared in a volatile region.

The Indian Air Force currently maintains three other key bases in Ladakh—Leh, Thoise, and Kargil—but none are as close to the LAC or as high as Nyoma.

Once inaugurated later this year, the Mudh–Nyoma airbase will not only cement India’s tactical depth in the Himalayas but also serve as a lasting signal to adversaries that New Delhi is ready to meet any challenge head-on—both from the ground and the sky.