BRO to Construct World’s Highest Fighter Airfield in Ladakh’s Nyoma

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is gearing up for an extraordinary accomplishment as it commences the construction of the world’s highest fighter airfield in Nyoma, Eastern Ladakh. The foundation stone for this ambitious project will be laid by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on September 12, 2023, at the Devak Bridge in Jammu. This endeavor underscores the BRO’s commitment to enhancing India’s defense capabilities in a strategically vital region.

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About Nyoma Airfield

The Ministry of Defence has commenced an ambitious project to expand the Nyoma Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) in eastern Ladakh into a fully operational base capable of facilitating fighter aircraft takeoffs.

The scope of this endeavor involves the construction of a 2.7-kilometer concrete runway and complementary infrastructure, with the project expected to be finalized within a span of less than 20 months.
Elevating Nyoma to a comprehensive operating base is particularly significant since it will hold the distinction of being the highest airfield globally, situated at an elevation of 13,700 feet.
To accommodate this high altitude, adjustments are being made to fighter engines to enable their performance in such conditions.
Currently functioning as an ALG, Nyoma’s existing runway is composed of soil, which restricts its usage to specialized transport aircraft such as the C-130J and helicopters.
Once the new concrete runway is completed, the base’s capabilities will expand to include heavier transport aircraft, thereby enhancing the strategic depth of the Indian military and bolstering operational capabilities in the region.

Nyoma: A Vital Center for Ladakh’s Infrastructure and Air Operations

Nyoma holds a prominent position as a village located in the southern part of Ladakh. It is home to an Indian Air Force Base in the Leh district. Nyoma boasts an Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) established in 1962. With an elevation of 4,180 meters (13,710 feet) above sea level, Nyoma stands as one of the highest-altitude locations in the region.

Government’s Increased Budget Allocation for Border Infrastructure Enhancement

Highlighting the government’s financial commitment, Lt. Gen. Chaudhry revealed that the BRO’s budget in 2008 was approximately ₹3,000 crore. By 2017, it had risen to ₹5,000-6,000 crore, and in 2019, it reached ₹8,000 crore, continuing to increase thereafter. The substantial budget allocation underscores the government’s determination to strengthen India’s infrastructure in border regions.

India’s Advancements in Border Infrastructure Development and Achievements

Lt. Gen. Rajeev Chaudhry, the head of the BRO, expresses confidence that India is making significant progress in surpassing China in terms of infrastructure development along the extensive 3,488-kilometer Line of Actual Control (LAC) within the next two to three years. Highlighting the rapid progress made by the BRO, Lt. Gen. Chaudhry notes that an impressive total of 295 projects, with a combined value of ₹11,000 crore, have been successfully completed over the past two to three years.

About BRO

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is a tri-services (Army, Navy, and Air Force) engineering organization of the Indian armed forces that is responsible for the construction, maintenance, and operation of roads, bridges, tunnels, airfields, and other infrastructure in border areas of India.

The BRO was established in 1960 to meet the growing need for infrastructure in the border areas of India. The organization has since constructed and maintained a vast network of roads, bridges, tunnels, and airfields in some of the most difficult and challenging terrain in the world.

The BRO is a highly specialized and technically advanced organization. It has its own engineering design and research wing, and it uses the latest construction technology. The organization also has a strong focus on training and development, and its personnel are some of the best engineers in the country.

Shubham Mittal

Shubham Mittal is a renowned current affairs writer and expert in government exam preparation, inspiring readers with insightful articles and guiding aspirants with his expertise.

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