IAF's IL-76MD completes landing in highest-altitude ever touchdown by the plane

The Indian Air Force on Saturday scripted history as an IL-76 MD transport aircraft of Russian origin successfully landed at the Nyoma air base in Ladakh, achieving the highest-altitude touchdown achieved by the plane anywhere in the world.An IL-76 MD transport aircraft of Russian origin successfully landed at the Nyoma air base in Ladakh (IAF)The Nyoma 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. ​A remarkable demonstration of the aircraft’s enduring capability, backed by the exceptional skill, precision, and professionalism of its crew," said the IAF on X.The IAF described the touchdown as a "milestone that reinforces India's strategic airlift capability".The Ilyushin IL-76 MD, called 'Gajraj' by the IAF, is a multipurpose four-engine turbofan strategic airlifter that is designed to carry heavy cargo weighing about 40 tonnes. Landing at a high-altitude base like Nyoma was a challenging task, as the thin air reduces engine thrust and lift.About Mudh-Nyoma Air BaseOn November 12, 2025, then-Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh inaugurated the Mudh-Nyoma airbase in Ladakh, designed as the world's highest fighter-capable airfield, by landing a C-130J special operations aircraft there. The air base was located at 13,700 feet and was constructed at an estimated cost of ₹218 crore.The full-fledged airbase, with a 2.7-km runway, is capable of operating fighter jets, transport planes and helicopters. Allied infrastructure at the airbase includes hangars, the air traffic control building and hard standing (hard-surfaced areas for parking vehicles and aircraft).The Nyoma air base is the fourth such Air Force base in Ladakh. The three others are located in Leh, Kargil and Thoise. The airbase is designed to bolster military infrastructure along India's farthest frontiers after the military standoff with China at the Galwan Valley in 2020.