https://sputniknews.in/20261108/indian-air-force-il-76md-lands-at-record-4150-meters-at-nyoma-airfield-12820794.html
Indian Air Force IL-76MD Lands At Record 4,150 Meters at Nyoma Airfield
Indian Air Force IL-76MD Lands At Record 4,150 Meters at Nyoma Airfield
Sputnik India
The Indian Air Force has reported that an Il-76MD transport aircraft landed at the high-altitude military airbase of Mudh-Nyoma, in the eastern part of the... 08.11.2026, Sputnik India
2026-11-08T16:11+0530
2026-11-08T16:11+0530
2026-11-08T16:14+0530
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Bringing a heavy transport aircraft down at that altitude is a demanding undertaking. Thin air degrades engine performance and aerodynamic characteristics, while the surrounding mountain terrain places elevated demands on the precision of the piloting.Nyoma lies roughly 25 km from the Line of Actual Control with China. The former advanced landing ground has been rebuilt into a full-fledged airbase with a runway of about 2.7 km, officially inaugurated in November 2025. It can now handle the heavy Il-76 in addition to the C-130J, which will allow troops, equipment and supplies to be moved to the border more quickly. Il-76s have long flown regularly into the high-altitude airfields at Leh and Thoise, but Nyoma sits higher still.Russia's Rosoboronexport said in February 2025 that it sees "strong potential" for cooperation with India on new transport and tanker aircraft.
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Indian Air Force IL-76MD Lands At Record 4,150 Meters at Nyoma Airfield
16:11 08.11.2026 (Updated: 16:14 08.11.2026) The Indian Air Force has reported that an Il-76MD transport aircraft landed at the high-altitude military airbase of Mudh-Nyoma, in the eastern part of the Ladakh region at an elevation of 13,629 feet (about 4,150 meters). According to the Air Force, this is the highest-altitude landing ever made by an Il-76 anywhere in the world.
Bringing a heavy transport aircraft down at that altitude is a demanding undertaking. Thin air degrades engine performance and aerodynamic characteristics, while the surrounding mountain terrain places elevated demands on the precision of the piloting.
"An outstanding demonstration of the aircraft's capabilities, backed by the skill, precision and professionalism of the crew," the Air Force statement said.
Nyoma lies roughly 25 km from the Line of Actual Control with China. The former advanced landing ground has been rebuilt into a full-fledged airbase with a runway of about 2.7 km, officially inaugurated in November 2025. It can now handle the heavy Il-76 in addition to the C-130J, which will allow troops, equipment and supplies to be moved to the border more quickly. Il-76s have long flown regularly into the high-altitude airfields at Leh and Thoise, but Nyoma sits higher still.
Russia's Rosoboronexport said in February 2025 that it sees "strong potential" for cooperation with India on new transport and tanker aircraft.
"In our opinion, cooperation with India on the new modifications of the Il-78MK-90A tanker aircraft and Il-76MD-90AE military transport aircraft has strong potential," the arms exporter told Sputnik India.
