According to the IAF, Nyoma, also known as Mudh-Nyoma, is located in eastern Ladakh, approximately 23 kilometres from the Chinese border. The force described it as the world’s highest fighter-capable airfield.
Nyoma was upgraded in November 2025, when a new airbase facility was developed. The then Air Chief Marshal AP Singh inaugurated it by landing a C-130J transport aircraft.
The latest landing demonstrates the ability of the airfield to accommodate a heavy transport aircraft at extreme altitude. Such capability can support the movement of military equipment, vehicles and personnel closer to the border region.
Nyoma has witnessed high-altitude aviation milestones before. On August 20, 2013, a C-130J landed there at 16,614 feet, setting a record for that aircraft. The earlier C-130J landing and the latest IL-76MD operation involve two different aircraft types.
