Mudh–Nyoma Air Force Station Upgrade Context: India’s modernised Mudh–Nyoma Air Force Station has become the highest operational airfield in the world capable of supporting fighter aircraft. Location: Situated in the Changthang area of Eastern Ladakh at an altitude of about 13,700 feet, the airstrip lies roughly 23–35 km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Executing Agency The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) carried out the upgradation under Project Himank. Project Himank is a key BRO programme focused on building and maintaining vital border infrastructure across Ladakh’s harsh, high-altitude terrain. Strategic Connectivity The upgraded base ensures faster deployment of forces to strategically important areas such as Pangong Tso, Demchok, and the Depsang Plains along the eastern Ladakh sector. Current Facts Nucleic Acid Test (NAT) for identification of diseases. NAT is a highly sensitive molecular technique that detects the genetic material for viruses such as HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C in the blood. Operational Capabilities The facility now features an all-weather runway designed to accommodate advanced fighter aircraft, heavy-lift transport planes, Apache attack helicopters, and unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs). Strategic Importance The airbase enhances India’s capacity for swift military response along the China frontier, while also aiding disaster management efforts and improving connectivity in the remote Ladakh region.
