IAF to upgrade airfields at Kargil, Nyoma

To strengthen its capabilities in Ladakh along the borders with China and Pakistan, Indian Air Force is going to upgrade its airfields at Kargil and Nyoma for fighter and heavy transport aircraft operations. "Defence ministry has given its clearance for expanding Nyoma airbase, the proposal is awaiting clearance from Cabinet Committee on Security," IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal N A K Browne said in New Delhi on Monday.

Observing that expansion of existing airstrips will give a "fair amount of both defensive and offensive options" to the IAF, he said, "We are also looking at expanding the Kargil runway for operating all type of aircraft." Though a lot of work needs to be done to make these airstrips support modern transport aircraft such as C-130J and C-17s, Browne said, the IAF, in due course of time, is also planning to operate fighter aircraft from these two bases. "As Nyoma (airstrip) is concerned, we want to develop the base to a 12,000 feet runway and with that kind of space available, we plan to base aircraft of all types we can operate from there such as fighter class aircraft, transport and helicopters," Browne told the annual Air Force Day press conference.

Responding to a query on the infrastructure available in Kargil, he said, "As far as Kargil is concerned. It is a much shorter strip with just 6000 feet and the width of the strip is just 100 feet. We are already operating AN-32 transport planes from there." When asked about the kind of fighter aircraft that IAF is planning to operate from Nyoma and Kargil airfields, Browne said, "We should be able to operate C-17 and C-130 and in due course of time. We should have the capability to operate certain amount of fighter aircraft from there. But our first priority is to get the heavy transport aircraft operating from there," he said.

The IAF chief said that with these two fully operational airstrips, the force will have more options to operate its fighter and transport aircraft.

"We are hoping to operate the heavy transport aircraft from Kargil by 2016. The base requires some heavy amount of land filling," he said. Referring to the floods in Leh two years ago, Browne said because of the peculiarities of the weather and terrain there, the IAF wants to increase its options to operate in eastern and northern Ladakh.

"When we had Leh floods, if Leh had not been recovered in time, the entire mountain area would have been cut off and the entire relief work would have stopped," he said.

Kargil, which was the main target of Pakistan army in 1999 conflict, is strategically located along the LoC. Upgradation of the airstrip would help in maintaining the large number of troops deployed at high altitude there.

With the capability of operating heavylift aircraft from there, IAF can also rush in troops in large number, if required.

Nyoma, which is closer to Chinese border, is located in Eastern Ladakh and its upgradation will help in augmenting the support provided to army formations there.