Indian Air Force to upgrade air strips at Kargil, Nyoma

NEW DELHI: In an attempt to augment its strength in Ladakh so as to ensure that there was no repeat of a 1999 Kargil war-like situation, the Indian Air Force is set to upgrade its air strips at Kargil and Nyoma to facilitate the movement of fighter and heavy transport aircraft.

The modernisation of the two airfields will strengthen India's capabilities along its borders with Pakistan and China. " Defence Ministry has given its clearance for expanding Nyoma airbase, and the proposal is awaiting clearance from the Cabinet Committee on Security," IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne said on Monday.

Maintaining that expansion of existing airstrips will give a "fair amount of both defensive and offensive options" to the IAF, the Air Chief 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 far as Nyoma 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,'' the IAF Chief said at the annual Air Force Day press conference on Monday afternoon.

He said armed forces would not operate in "expeditionary forces'' mode, fighting somebody else's war in areas beyond its reach.