The Border Roads Organisation will build an airstrip in eastern Ladakh's key Nyoma region at a cost of Rs 218 crore. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is slated to lay the groundwork for the airfield via video conference on September 12.

"The defence minister will carry out e-shilanyash of the Nyoma airfield in Ladakh on September 12," a Defence PRO said. The airstrip would be built at a cost of Rs 218 crore for a variety of strategic aviation assets, he added. He further said, "The construction of this airfield will tremendously boost Ladakh's air infrastructure and augment the IAF's (Indian Air Force) capability along our northern borders."

Since 2020, the Nyoma Advanced Landing Ground has been utilized for the transfer of soldiers and goods amid the continuing standoff with China, and it has seen the activities of Chinook heavy-lift choppers and the C-130J special operations aircraft.

Singh will also inaugurate and dedicate to the country 90 infrastructure projects worth Rs 2,941 crore built by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). Nyoma, at a height of 13,400 feet, is approximately 46 kilometres from the Line of Actual Control with China.

On September 12, Singh would also reopen the Bagdogra and Barrackpore airfields in West Bengal, according to the PRO. It has seen missions with Chinook heavy-lift choppers and C-130J special operations aircraft, demonstrating its potential as a strategic asset for Indian defence forces.

The BRO successfully renovated these airfields at a cost of Rs 529 crore, he added.

"These airfields will not only improve the defensive and offensive architecture of the Indian Air Force along the northern borders but also facilitate commercial flight operations in the region," PRO said.

The release of the 2023 ‘standardised map’ of China including parts of Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin and the absence of Xi Jinping from G20 have shown clearly the poisonous intent of China. The ‘Trishul’ exercise started by IAF at the China and Pak border and this go-ahead to BRO to construct an airfield at the strategic Ladakh-based landing strip are responses long due from the Indian side.

The ‘Trishul’ exercise will include fighter jets such as Rafales, Sukhoi-30s, and MiG-29s, as well as transport planes, helicopters, and other assets. The exercise will be led by the IAF's Western Air Command (WAC), with C-17 heavy-lifters, transport planes, attack helicopters, and other aircraft taking part.

In addition to the aforementioned fighter planes, the training exercise will include heavy-lift transport aircraft and helicopters, such as the Chinook and Apache, increasing the exercise's scope. The IAF's prestigious Garud Special Forces squad will also take part in these drills. The major goal of this exercise, organized by the IAF's Western Command, is to evaluate the force's combat capabilities and study various operational features.

 Jaishankar recently also said he wasn’t surprised at Xi Jinping excusing himself from the G20 event. China and Pakistan had jointly protested against India conducting the G20 in Kashmir or other areas, hence his truancy was rather expected. Along with India lodging a strong offence to China’s new map release from strategic channels as shared by Arindam Bagchi, this is an added answer to the communist neighbour.

Please, also have a look into : IAF’s airlift operations transported 68,000 troops to Ladakh during 2020 Galwan Valley Clashes