Indian Air Force Sets World Record Landing at Nyoma

The Indian Air Force achieved a global aviation record on November 6, 2026, by landing an IL-76MD strategic transport aircraft, known as Gajraj, at the Nyoma airfield in eastern Ladakh. The touchdown occurred at an altitude of 13,629 feet, the highest ever recorded for this aircraft type. The operation demonstrated the crew's ability to manage thin mountain air, which typically reduces engine thrust and wing lift.

Located approximately 25 kilometers from the Line of Actual Control with China, the Nyoma airbase was upgraded from a mud-pack strip to a facility with a 2.7-kilometer weather-resilient concrete runway. Built by the Border Roads Organisation's Project Himank, the base is designed to withstand temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius. The facility allows for the rapid deployment of troops and heavy hardware, including T-72 tanks, following a deadly 2020 border clash between Indian and Chinese soldiers.

While the landing reinforces India's strategic airlift capability, the IL-76 fleet faces serviceability challenges and spare part shortages due to the war in Ukraine. In response, the Government of India Ministry of Defence has cleared the acquisition of 60 medium transport aircraft to replace the aging IL-76 and AN-32 fleets. Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena praised the feat as a monumental addition to the military infrastructure being developed across Ladakh.