IAF to develop third airstrip near Sino-Indian border in Ladakh

Drass, Jammu & Kashmir: In a desperate bid to catch up on lost time the Indian Air Force has announced that it will now be setting up a full-fledged airstrip, it's third in the region, at Niyoma in the northern region of Ladakh. Niyoma is close to the regional capital Leh.

IAF Il-76 at Leh airfield

The effort is aimed at speedily countering extensive defence-related infrastructure developed by the Chinese all along India's border with Tibet, an activity it has been engaged in for quite some time.

The airstrip at Niyoma will help strengthen air maintenance for far-flung army posts in the region as well as provide a boost to tourism in the picturesque area, often referred to as 'Moonland'.

In recent times, the air force has re-commissioned two airstrips in the region, one at Daulat Begh Oldi near the Karakoram Pass and another at Fukche in central Ladakh. Niyoma would now be the third airbase to come up here, according to air officer commanding (AOC), Jammu and Kashmir, Air Vice Marshal J Chouhan.

"After Daulat Begh Oldi airbase, another one is coming up in Indus valley in Niyoma where we are developing an airstrip," he said.

"We will carry out trial landings probably later this year. Building an airfield is a massive job. To make it operational, it will take some more time," the officer said.

"This air strip could be used both for tourism and for our own purpose," AVM Chouhan said.