India’s highest airfield: India is nearing the completion of its highest airfield, being built at Mudh in the Nyoma Sub-division of eastern Ladakh. Situated at an altitude of 13,700 feet, this strategic airfield is just 35 kilometers from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China and around 200 kilometers from Leh city. The airfield’s runway, spanning 3 kilometers, is already ready for emergency landings, with the entire project expected to be fully operational by August 2025, according to defense officials.
“The current progress stands at 90%, with the runway work completed. Execution of certain allied works is still in progress, and we expect the project to be completed by August 2025,” stated a senior defense official, according to Defence.in. The project was started in March 2023 at a cost of ₹219.39 crores. It involves not only the construction of the runway but also the establishment of necessary maintenance and administrative infrastructure under the jurisdiction of Air Force Station Leh.
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Despite the challenges posed by Mudh’s extreme winters, where temperatures can drop to -35 degrees Celsius, work has continued steadily. Col. Ponung Doming, Commander of the 755 Border Roads Task Force (BRTF) for Project Himank, emphasized the quality of the construction, saying, “By next year, all infrastructure to support runway activities will be completed.” Col. Doming, the first female officer from Arunachal Pradesh to reach the rank of Colonel, is overseeing this strategic project.
The construction is being carried out by KCC Build Con Pvt Limited, with 450 laborers working during the summer and 250 continuing on the project now. Once completed, this airfield will mark a major advancement for India’s defense capabilities in the border regions of Ladakh.
The airfield will enable the operation of all types of defense aircraft and enhance logistical and military operations in the strategically important area. The airfield will help deploy troops, equipment, and supplies faster, shorten response times, and make operations more efficient in the tough high-altitude environment.
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Previously, the KBR Airport in Leh, 200 kilometers away, was the primary hub for military and civil aviation in the region, with heavy equipment transported to border areas by road. The Mudh airfield will provide a direct advantage, strengthening India’s preparedness along the LAC and standing as one of the most significant projects in Ladakh’s border infrastructure.
