Air Force plane makes record landing at Nyoma airbase in Ladakh near China border

The airbase is located at a height of around 13,000 ft and is at a distance of around 25 km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.Photo shared on X by Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC/X)New Delhi,Nov 7, 2026 15:59 ISTA Russian-origin Ilyushin IL-76MD transport plane of the Indian Air Force (IAF) made a successful landing at the Nyoma air base in Ladakh, achieving what the force described as the highest altitude touchdown achieved by an aircraft of this type anywhere in the world.The airbase is located at a height of around 13,000 ft and is at a distance of around 25 km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China."An Indian Air Force IL-76MD has scripted history with a successful landing at Nyoma, marking the highest-altitude landing ever achieved by the aircraft anywhere in the world," the IAF said on social media platform X.It lauded the crew for executing the challenging landing. "A remarkable demonstration of the aircraft's enduring capability, backed by the exceptional skill, precision, and professionalism of its crew," the Air Force stated. It described the touchdown as a "milestone that reinforces India's strategic airlift capability."- Ends(With inputs from PTI)