IAF Gajraj makes world-record landing at 13,629ft in Ladakh

On September 19, the Indian Air Force (IAF) IL-76MD transport aircraft named Gajraj achieved a world-record landing at 13,629 feet at Nyoma airbase in eastern Ladakh. This feat marked the highest-altitude landing ever recorded by the aircraft globally and showcased India's growing military airlift capability near the China border.

IAF declared the accomplishment as "a remarkable demonstration of the aircraft's enduring capability, backed by the exceptional skill, precision, and professionalism of its crew." The landing underscored the milestone as "a milestone that reinforces India's strategic airlift capability." At such extreme altitudes, the thin air posed significant challenges for even the most capable aircraft.

The Soviet-origin, four-engine Ilyushin aircraft has been a mainstay of IAF's transport fleet, utilized for transporting troops, T-72 tanks, BMP infantry combat vehicles, and disaster relief supplies across challenging terrain. Nyoma airbase, initially an advanced landing ground (ALG) used by tactical transport aircraft and helicopters, had been idle for decades post the 1962 India-China war.

However, in September 2009, IAF reactivated the airstrip. The foundation stone for the airbase was laid by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in September 2023. Following its upgrade to a fully equipped airbase capable of handling fighter aircraft, the facility's completion is anticipated to bolster military logistics, enhance connectivity to forward areas, and expedite the deployment of troops and equipment along the China frontier.