New Delhi: Indian Air Force (IAF) did its first night landing in a transport aircraft at the strategically crucial high-altitude Kargil advanced landing ground (ALG) near the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan. The C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft, carrying elite Garud commandos, successfully landed at the ALG, which is surrounded by steep mountains. Other IAF aircraft have landed there before, this was the first time a transport had landed, and in trying conditions.
The aircraft was carrying a complement of the elite Garud commandos of the IAF. This demonstrated the IAF's operational capabilities in the strategically crucial sector, people familiar with the matter said. The four-engine tactical airlift aircraft can carry about 70 troops. Its maximum payload is 19 tonnes and has a take-off weight of about 70 tonnes.
On August 20, 2013, the IAF had performed the highest landing of a C-130J at the Daulat Beg Oldi airstrip in Ladakh at the height of 16,614 ft (5,064 metres) above sea level.
This feet at Kargil was difficult in such mountainous area as the aircraft employed "terrain masking", wherein it flies very low and as fast as possible so as not to be detected by enemy radars. Terrain masking, though dangerous, is crucial as the airfield is close to LoC. The airstrip is located at an altitude of around 10,500 feet.
The airfield which was developed around Kargil war with Pakistan, could be used to transport men and machine during war.
"In a first, an IAF C-130 J aircraft recently carried out a night landing at the Kargil airstrip. Employing terrain masking enroute, the exercise also dovetailed a training mission of the Garud," said IAF in a post on X.
This demonstrates the capability of Indian Air Force to operate from Kargil advanced landing ground both during the day and night.
India has few other ALGs in Union Territory of Ladakh, which are focused towards China including at Daulat Beg Oldi and Fukche (Demchok sector). The Nyoma ALG is undergoing expansion.
In September, defence minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the "Nyoma Airfield" in Ladakh through e-shilanyash. The Nyoma Airfield, set to become the world's highest fighter airfield, involves the expansion of the existing Advanced Landing Ground and is being developed at a cost of '218 crore to accommodate a wide range of strategic air assets. The Nyoma Airfield, situated in Eastern Ladakh, will be capable of operating fighter jets at an impressive height of 13,700 feet.
