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Thoise Air Force Station

Thoise Air Force Station is a forward military airfield of the Indian Air Force situated in the Nubra Valley of Ladakh, India, at an elevation of approximately 3,000 meters above sea level.^[1] Established in 1960 through local initiative using improvised construction methods, the base originated as a rudimentary landing strip to bolster aerial connectivity in the remote Himalayan frontier.^[1] It functions primarily as a logistics hub, supporting the rapid airlift of troops, equipment, and supplies to sustain Indian Army positions along the Siachen Glacier, the site of protracted high-altitude conflict with Pakistan since 1984.^[2]^[3] As India's northernmost operational air base, Thoise holds strategic primacy in addressing dual border threats from Pakistan and China, facilitating deterrence and operational mobility in an environment of extreme terrain and weather challenges.^[3]^[2] The station's infrastructure has evolved to handle fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, underscoring its role in maintaining India's forward military posture in Ladakh.

Geography and Location

Physical Site and Altitude Challenges

Thoise Air Force Station occupies a narrow strip of flat alluvial terrain in the Shyok Valley of Nubra, Ladakh, at an elevation of approximately 3,070 meters (10,070 feet) above mean sea level, making it one of India's highest operational airfields. The site, nestled amid towering Himalayan ranges with peaks exceeding 5,000 meters, was initially developed as a rudimentary airstrip in the early 1960s using locally sourced materials like stones and earth compacted by villagers under Indian Air Force direction. This limited flat expanse—rare in the surrounding steep, barren slopes and glacial valleys—serves as the primary runway, oriented roughly east-west to mitigate crosswinds from the valley corridors, though the adjacent rugged topography constrains expansion and safe maneuvering zones.^[1]^[4] High-altitude operations at Thoise are hampered by air density roughly 70% of sea-level values, which reduces propeller and jet engine thrust by 25-40% and diminishes wing lift, compelling aircraft to require 1.5 to 2 times longer takeoff and landing distances compared to low-elevation bases. Transport platforms such as the Antonov An-32, routinely deployed for logistics to Siachen outposts, face payload restrictions of up to 50% and heightened stall risks during approaches, where terrain clearance demands climbs over rising ground—such as the 300-meter elevation gain within 6 kilometers of touchdown. Pilots must employ specialized "hot and high" procedures, including flap extensions at higher speeds and power settings adjusted for hypoxia-induced performance limits, while maintenance crews grapple with accelerated wear on engines from particulate-laden air and sub-zero temperatures that brittle lubricants and complicate cold starts.^[5]^[6]^[7] The site's isolation exacerbates logistical strains, with supply chains vulnerable to avalanches, flash floods along the Shyok River, and dust devils that obscure visibility and erode equipment. Ground personnel endure chronic high-altitude maladies like acute mountain sickness, pulmonary edema risks, and impaired cognitive function from oxygen scarcity (partial pressure equivalent to 12-15% at sea level), mandating phased acclimatization and supplemental oxygen for sustained efficacy. These factors collectively demand resilient infrastructure, such as reinforced pavements to counter frost heave, and adaptive tactics that prioritize short-field capabilities over heavy-lift efficiency.^[8]^[9]

Strategic Positioning Near Borders

Thoise Air Force Station occupies a critical position in the Shyok Valley of Ladakh, enabling the Indian Air Force to address simultaneous threats from Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC) and Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL) in the Siachen sector, as well as from China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.^[2] The station serves as a forward base at the gateway to the Siachen Glacier, facilitating rapid aerial logistics and combat support for ground forces deployed against Pakistani positions in the high-altitude conflict zone.^[3] Its placement approximately 25 kilometers south of Diskit in the Nubra Valley positions Thoise within striking distance of the LoC near Turtuk, while also overlooking potential Chinese advances from the Aksai Chin region, thereby enhancing deterrence across the two-front scenario.^[2] Assets at Thoise can pivot between supporting Siachen operations—where India maintains control over the glacier ridges—and monitoring Chinese air activities near the LAC, underscoring the base's role in integrated air defense for northern India's contested frontiers.^[3] This dual-orientation capability stems from the valley's geography, which funnels threats from both western (Pakistani) and northeastern (Chinese) directions into a consolidated operational hub.^[2]

Historical Development

Establishment in the 1960s

The airfield at Thoise was established in 1960 as a rudimentary kachcha (unpaved) landing strip, constructed primarily by local residents of the Nubra Valley in Ladakh using improvised materials such as mud, stones, and basic tools.^[1]^[10] This initiative was spearheaded by community leaders responding to the need for improved connectivity in the high-altitude region, situated at approximately 3,066 meters (10,066 feet) above mean sea level, amid India's efforts to develop infrastructure in remote border areas.^[10] The construction involved local laborers, including skilled masons like Hassan Ghulam Haider, who contributed to leveling the terrain and creating a functional strip despite challenging environmental conditions and limited resources.^[11] By 1 October 1961, the airfield was ready for operations, with the first aircraft successfully landing and marking its handover to the Indian armed forces for military and logistical use.^[11] This early development laid the foundation for Thoise's role as a forward air base, enhancing aerial access to northern Ladakh prior to major escalations in regional border disputes.^[1]

Pre-1984 Military Use

The Thoise airfield was initially developed as a rudimentary kutcha (unpaved) landing strip in 1960, on the initiative of K. D. Menon, Assistant Commissioner of Nubra Valley, to enhance logistical access to the remote northern borders of Ladakh amid growing strategic concerns following the 1962 Sino-Indian War.^[12]^[11] Construction commenced in April 1961 under the supervision of local mason Ghulam Hassan from Bogdang village, who mobilized approximately 500 unpaid Ladakhi laborers to level the terrain on the southern bank of the Shyok River at an elevation of 10,066 feet above mean sea level.^[11]^[12] Workers employed manual tools, including pickaxes and improvised wooden rollers from apricot trees, and dug a 2-kilometer canal from the Beyaklong stream to soften the clay-heavy soil, enabling the first aircraft landing on October 1, 1961.^[11] Prior to 1984, the site functioned primarily as an Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) for the Indian Air Force, supporting limited military logistics rather than sustained operations or fighter deployments.^[12] It served as a transit point for transporting troops, supplies, and equipment to forward border outposts in the Nubra Valley and surrounding areas, facilitating India's defensive posture against potential incursions from Pakistan and China during conflicts such as the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pakistani Wars.^[11] Contributions from local militia, including Colonel Rinchen serving with the 14 Jammu and Kashmir Militia, aided in its early maintenance and security as a basic facility without permanent infrastructure.^[12] The airfield's high-altitude constraints restricted usage to transport aircraft capable of short takeoffs and landings, with no records of routine combat sorties or squadron basing before its expansion in conjunction with Siachen Glacier operations.^[12] It remained a forward detachment rather than a full air force station until October 1984.^[13]

Integration with Siachen Operations

Following the initiation of Operation Meghdoot on 13 April 1984, which secured Indian control over the Siachen Glacier and surrounding heights, Thoise Air Force Station was integrated into the aerial logistics network sustaining forward deployments in the region. The base's proximity to the Nubra Valley and Siachen Base Camp enabled it to function as a key staging point for fixed-wing aircraft operations, transporting troops, ammunition, and equipment that helicopters then forwarded to high-altitude posts amid the harsh glacial environment.^[14] Thoise's capabilities were progressively enhanced to support heavier logistical demands, including trial landings by Ilyushin Il-76 heavy-lift aircraft in 1986, which confirmed the runway's viability for maximum landing weights up to 140 tons despite its then-length of approximately 6,050 feet. This upgrade facilitated direct induction of artillery assets for Siachen, as demonstrated between 9 and 14 May 1988 when No. 44 Squadron's Il-76s conducted eight sorties from Chandigarh to Thoise, airlifting a complete battery of Bofors 155 mm howitzers, Scania trucks, and ancillary equipment under the oversight of Maj. (later Brig.) Buttar. These guns were critical for bolstering firepower against Pakistani positions during ongoing clashes.^[4] The station also supported combat air patrols and defensive operations in the Siachen sector, with its activation as a fighter-operable airfield enabling squadrons equipped with aircraft like MiG-23s and MiG-27s to patrol northern borders and respond to threats from Pakistan, thereby integrating air defense into the broader glacier defense framework. Supplies from Thoise, often via An-32 transports, fed into summer stockpiling efforts at intermediate helicopter bases such as Dzingrulma, where Mi-17 and Cheetah/Light Combat Helicopter units handled final distribution to outposts, ensuring operational continuity since the 1984 occupation.^[15]^[14]

Strategic and Operational Role

Support for Siachen Glacier Defense

Thoise Air Force Station functions as the primary forward airhead for sustaining Indian military positions on the Siachen Glacier, enabling the rapid airlift of troops, ammunition, and equipment to counter Pakistani threats in the region. Located at an elevation of approximately 3,070 meters, the base facilitates fixed-wing operations that bridge the logistical gap to the glacier's high-altitude posts, which are otherwise inaccessible by ground transport due to extreme terrain and weather.^[4]^[3] During Operation Meghdoot, launched on April 13, 1984, to secure the glacier's heights, Thoise played a pivotal role in initial logistics by receiving 73 tonnes of supplies via fixed-wing aircraft from Srinagar between March 19 and April 7, 1984, before onward helicopter transfer to forward locations such as the base camp near Sia La and Bilafond La passes. This air bridge allowed Indian forces to preposition approximately 300 troops on key peaks, preempting Pakistani advances and establishing dominance over the 78-kilometer glacier. Helicopters like Mi-8s and Cheetaks, operating from Thoise, ferried an additional 74 tonnes to the base camp and 30-79 tonnes to assault positions, exceeding standard operational limits in thin air.^[16]^[17] The station's capabilities extended to combat air support, with fighter aircraft including Hunters, MiG-23s, and MiG-29s deploying from Thoise to conduct over 700 sorties by 1986, providing deterrence and reconnaissance against adversarial movements. In a notable logistical feat from May 9 to 14, 1988, No. 44 Squadron's IL-76 aircraft executed eight sorties to Thoise, inducting Bofors 155 mm howitzers, Scania trucks, and prime movers—each landing at a maximum all-up weight of 140 tons and offloading up to 34 tons of cargo—directly bolstering artillery firepower for Siachen defenders following a 1986 trial that confirmed IL-76 viability at the site's altitude.^[16]^[4] Ongoing operations from Thoise ensure year-round sustainment, including casualty evacuations and emergency reinforcements, with modern assets like C-130J and Chinook helicopters maintaining the supply chain despite sub-zero temperatures and snowfall exceeding 1,000 cm annually. This infrastructure has sustained India's control for over four decades, underscoring Thoise's indispensability in high-altitude warfare logistics.^[16]^[3]

Deterrence Against Pakistan

Thoise Air Force Station functions as a key logistical node for sustaining Indian military deployments along the Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL) in the Siachen Glacier sector, where Pakistani forces contest territorial claims. The base enables the airlift of personnel, ammunition, and supplies to forward positions at altitudes exceeding 20,000 feet, mitigating the logistical constraints imposed by the region's harsh terrain and weather, which historically deterred sustained occupation. This capability underpins India's control of the glacier's strategic heights, acquired during Operation Meghdoot on April 13, 1984, and prevents Pakistani advances by ensuring rapid reinforcement against potential incursions.^[3]^[18] The station's proximity to the AGPL—extending 110 kilometers from the Line of Control (LOC) terminus at NJ9842—allows for quick-response air operations that project power into contested areas, deterring escalation by demonstrating India's ability to maintain a persistent presence despite environmental attrition rates as high as 80% for troops due to non-combat factors. In exercises and routine patrols, transport aircraft such as An-32s and helicopters from Thoise support artillery resupply and reconnaissance, signaling operational readiness that complicates Pakistani planning for offensive maneuvers.^[2]^[19] By integrating with ground defenses, Thoise contributes to a layered deterrence strategy that exploits Pakistan's logistical vulnerabilities in the sector, where Indian air dominance has repeatedly thwarted attempts to alter the post-1984 status quo, including during the 1999 Kargil conflict when the base provided critical access for operations linking Siachen to the LOC. This role extends to broader border stability, as the base's infrastructure upgrades since the 2010s have enhanced sortie generation for fighter detachments, further reinforcing credible denial capabilities against cross-border threats.^[3]^[19]

Countering Chinese Border Encroachments

Thoise Air Force Station contributes to countering Chinese border encroachments by bolstering India's overall deterrence posture in the Ladakh sector amid the two-front threat posed by China and Pakistan. The base's logistical capabilities enable sustained Indian Army deployments across northern Ladakh, preventing resource diversion from eastern LAC hotspots to the Siachen area and thereby maintaining focus on PLA activities.^[3] In the broader context of Chinese territorial assertions, Thoise supports rapid airlifts of troops, equipment, and supplies to high-altitude forward positions under the Fire and Fury Corps, which oversees both the Actual Ground Position Line with Pakistan and the LAC with China. This infrastructure has proven vital during escalations, such as the 2020-2021 standoff, where the Indian Air Force executed massive reinforcements—airlifting over 68,000 personnel, 330 vehicles, and 90 tanks to Ladakh—to match PLA build-ups in areas like Galwan Valley and Pangong Tso Lake.^[20]^[2] The station's operations deter coordinated Sino-Pakistani maneuvers by securing the western flank, allowing India to respond decisively to Chinese incursions without exposing vulnerabilities elsewhere; defense assessments highlight Thoise's role in enabling quick-response air assets that complicate PLA advances in disputed territories.^[3] Ongoing enhancements at Thoise, including improved runway and support facilities, further strengthen this capacity against China's expanding military infrastructure near the LAC, such as new air defense sites in Hotan and Gar counties.^[21]

Infrastructure and Capabilities

Airfield and Support Facilities

The airfield at Thoise Air Force Station, located in the Nubra Valley of Ladakh at an elevation of 10,066 feet (3,070 meters) above mean sea level, consists of a single asphalt-surfaced runway designated 10/28, measuring approximately 10,000 feet (3,050 meters) in length and 150 feet (46 meters) in width.^[22]^[23]^[24] This configuration supports operations of medium transport aircraft such as the Antonov An-32, along with helicopters essential for high-altitude logistics, despite density altitude challenges that reduce engine performance and lift capacity above 10,000 feet.^[4] Support facilities include dedicated aviation fuel depots managed by IndianOil Skytanking, enabling refueling for fixed-wing and rotary assets in remote conditions.^[25] Helipads integrated into the base accommodate Mi-17 and Cheetah helicopters for troop insertions and supply drops to Siachen Glacier outposts, while hardened shelters and maintenance hangars provide limited protection against extreme weather, with temperatures dropping below -30°C in winter.^[26] Logistics infrastructure features cold-chain storage for perishables, ammunition bunkers, and rapid-deployment ramps, all engineered for seismic activity and sparse oxygen levels that necessitate specialized equipment like high-altitude tents and oxygen generators for personnel.^[1] Originally established in 1960 as a rudimentary kuttcha strip using local stones and improvised materials, the airfield underwent progressive hardening and extension from an initial 6,053 feet to its current length by the 1990s, incorporating drainage systems to mitigate snowmelt flooding in the Shyok River valley.^[12]^[27] These upgrades, driven by operational demands post-1984 Siachen conflict, include radar-guided approach aids and limited night-landing capabilities via portable lighting, ensuring sustained throughput of 50-100 sorties monthly under IAF's 19 Forward Base Support Unit.^[12]^[28]

Deployed Aircraft and Squadrons

Thoise Air Force Station primarily functions as a forward operating location for detachments of Indian Air Force transport and helicopter units, rather than hosting permanent flying squadrons, with operations coordinated by the 19 Forward Base Support Unit established on 10 December 1990.^[12] This unit supports high-altitude logistics, troop insertions, and casualty evacuations critical to Siachen Glacier defenses and Ladakh sector deployments.^[12] Fixed-wing aircraft deployments include heavy strategic airlifters such as the Ilyushin Il-76 from No. 44 Squadron (based at Chandigarh), capable of night operations and delivering up to 40-50 tons of supplies to the base's 10,066 ft elevation runway.^[29] Lockheed C-130J Super Hercules transports, operated by squadrons like No. 102 or No. 106 (parent bases at Chandigarh or Jamnagar), conduct tactical airlifts and short-field landings for rapid resupply.^[2] Temporary heavy-lift operations feature the Mil Mi-26 from Chandigarh-based squadrons, enabling outsized cargo transport exceeding 20 tons, though on rotational detachment.^[30] Helicopter detachments dominate, with No. 114 Helicopter Unit maintaining a permanent element at Thoise using HAL Cheetah (SA-315B Lama variant) for single-engine, high-altitude sorties up to 20,000 ft, focused on reconnaissance, light logistics, and search-and-rescue in extreme terrain.^[31] Mil Mi-17V5 medium-lift helicopters from units such as No. 105 Helicopter Unit provide bulk transport and underslung loads, with detachments supporting Army forward posts.^[32] Advanced types include HAL Rudra (armed Dhruv ALH) for close air support and HAL AH-64E Apache attack helicopters for armed escort and precision strikes, observed in operational rotations amid border tensions.^[2] Fighter deployments are infrequent and temporary; for instance, MiG-29 Fulcrums were stationed at Thoise in October 2021 via satellite imagery confirmation, enhancing air defense amid Pakistan-China frontier threats, likely from parent squadrons at Srinagar or Adampur.^[33] No permanent combat squadrons are based there, prioritizing sustainment over offensive operations due to the airfield's advanced landing ground constraints and strategic logistics role.^[12]

Logistical and Environmental Adaptations

Thoise Air Force Station, situated at an elevation of approximately 3,100 meters in Ladakh's Nubra Valley, contends with thin air density that reduces aircraft lift and engine efficiency, extreme cold dipping below -30°C in winter, high winds, and dust storms that complicate operations and maintenance.^[1] These factors demand specialized infrastructure adaptations, including reinforced runway surfaces to withstand freeze-thaw cycles and insulated facilities for equipment storage to prevent material degradation.^[29] Personnel deployments require rigorous acclimatization to counter hypoxia and acute mountain sickness, with protocols mandating phased exposure: unacclimatized aircrew undergo 4-7 days at intermediate altitudes before full operations, including rest periods and supplemental oxygen use.^[34] In response to two-front threats, the Indian Air Force has pursued technologies for accelerated acclimatization, such as hypobaric chambers and pharmacological aids, to enable faster inductions at stations like Thoise.^[35] Logistically, Thoise functions as a pivotal transshipment node for Siachen Glacier sustainment, receiving heavy-lift fixed-wing deliveries of ammunition, rations, and fuel via aircraft like the Il-76 and C-130J from bases in Chandigarh or Jammu, which are then redistributed by helicopters such as Mi-17 and Cheetal to inaccessible forward posts.^[36] This air-maintained supply chain, operational year-round despite blizzards and low visibility, handles thousands of tons annually, incorporating cold-start procedures for engines and heated fuel systems to ensure reliability in sub-zero conditions.^[37] Recent enhancements include drone-assisted logistics for precision drops, reducing helicopter exposure to risks in the glacier's avalanche-prone environment.^[38]

Key Operations and Conflicts

Role in Operation Meghdoot

Thoise Air Force Station functioned as a vital forward base for helicopter operations during Operation Meghdoot, launched on April 13, 1984, to preempt Pakistani occupation of the Siachen Glacier by securing high-altitude passes like Sia La and Bilafond La.^[16] Located at about 3,100 meters elevation in the Nubra Valley, it shortened critical flight legs from Leh, allowing helicopters to operate within safer margins amid thin air and extreme cold, thus enabling the rapid airlifting of the initial Indian Army platoons to glacial heights exceeding 6,000 meters.^[39] The Indian Air Force positioned key rotary-wing assets at Thoise for the assault phase, including six Cheetah (SA 315B Alouette III) helicopters commanded by Wing Commander Sandhu and two Mi-8 transport helicopters under Wing Commander K.K. Sangar, which conducted troop insertions, reconnaissance, and initial supply drops under reconnaissance-led planning starting April 3, 1984.^[40] These missions involved precise landings on unprepared ice, with Chetak variants logging early buildup sorties to advanced camps, such as a 2-hour-50-minute flight from Siachen Base to Thoise documented in prior reconnaissance.^[39] Beyond insertion, Thoise sustained the operation's logistics by serving as a staging hub for ongoing air maintenance, ferrying ammunition, rations, and evacuating casualties via helicopter shuttles, which proved essential in the glacier's isolation where ground resupply was infeasible.^[16] Over time, the station hosted fighter aircraft like MiG-23s for air cover, conducting sweeps and simulated strikes to deter Pakistani incursions and bolster ground morale, though initial emphasis remained on rotary support amid the terrain's constraints.^[16] This infrastructure underscored Thoise's strategic value in maintaining India's control over the 76-kilometer glacier, the world's highest battlefield.^[39]

Contributions to the Kargil War

Thoise Air Force Station played a critical logistical role in supporting Indian Army operations during the Kargil War, serving as a key forward base in the Ladakh sector for airlifts and helicopter missions under Operation Safed Sagar.^[41] Located at an altitude of approximately 3,000 meters near the Siachen Glacier, the station facilitated the rapid induction of troops, equipment, and supplies to remote high-altitude positions amid challenging terrain and weather conditions.^[41] On May 11, 1999, additional Mi-17 helicopters were urgently deployed to Thoise to bolster airlift capabilities and prepare for armed strikes against Pakistani intruders, enabling the sustainment of ground forces in the Kargil and Siachen sectors.^[41] Mi-17 units operating from Thoise contributed to both logistics and limited offensive actions, conducting thousands of sorties to deliver essential materiel while supporting reconnaissance and troop movements.^[41] Overall, Mi-17 helicopters across IAF operations, including those staged through Thoise, flew 2,100 logistics sorties and 23 strike missions during the conflict, with Thoise anchoring the supply chain for heavier transports like IL-76 and AN-32 aircraft that funneled resources into Leh and forward areas.^[41] A notable incident involved Mi-17s attacking intruder positions on May 28, 1999, though one helicopter was downed by a Pakistani surface-to-air missile, highlighting the risks of high-altitude operations from bases like Thoise.^[41] The station's strategic positioning also deterred potential Pakistani advances toward Ladakh, as intelligence indicated enemy forces massing near Turtuk for a possible thrust against Thoise airfield, underscoring its dual role in defense and enablement of Operation Vijay.^[42] By maintaining uninterrupted air bridge operations, Thoise ensured the Army's operational tempo in oxygen-scarce environments, where ground logistics were severely limited, contributing to the eventual eviction of intruders by July 26, 1999.^[41]

Post-2000 Engagements and Exercises

Following the Kargil conflict, Thoise Air Force Station maintained its critical role in sustaining Indian military presence along the Siachen Glacier through continuous logistical engagements, including regular air maintenance sorties by transport aircraft such as An-32s and helicopter operations to forward posts at altitudes exceeding 20,000 feet. These post-2000 activities ensured the delivery of over 10,000 tons of supplies annually to isolated outposts, adapting to harsh weather with specialized cold-weather starts and de-icing procedures.^[16] In 2009, the Indian Air Force inducted Cheetal helicopters at Thoise specifically for high-altitude glacier support, enhancing payload capacity and reliability in thin air where engine performance degrades by up to 40 percent. This deployment bolstered casualty evacuation and reconnaissance missions amid ongoing border vigilance.^[16] Pilots and aircraft at Thoise periodically conduct training exercises focused on high-altitude operations, emphasizing readiness for extreme cold and Himalayan conditions along the Line of Actual Control, as part of broader efforts to counter potential escalations from Pakistan and China. These drills simulate rapid deployment and combat effectiveness in low-oxygen environments, with periodic rotations from bases like Leh and Srinagar.^[43] During the 2020-2021 India-China border standoff, Thoise supported regional airlift operations by facilitating logistical sustainment for troops in northern Ladakh, contributing to the rapid induction of over 68,000 personnel and heavy equipment across forward airfields amid heightened two-front threats.^[44]

Recent and Future Developments

Modernization and Upgrades

The Indian Air Force has integrated Thoise Air Force Station into its broader modernization program for forward bases along the northern borders, focusing on enhanced survivability and operational capacity in high-altitude environments. Key upgrades include the construction of next-generation hardened aircraft shelters (NGHAS), sanctioned by the government to protect assets from aerial threats amid rising tensions with China. These measures, initiated around 2018, align with infrastructure improvements at remote facilities like Thoise to enable sustained fighter operations.^[45]^[46] Upgrades to the station's infrastructure have enabled it to host advanced fighter aircraft, transitioning from primarily transport and helicopter roles to supporting fixed-wing combat assets. By 2021, satellite imagery confirmed the deployment of MiG-29 fighters at Thoise, indicating strengthened runway and apron capabilities for such operations despite the site's elevation of approximately 10,000 feet. This reflects targeted enhancements to ALGs like Thoise, allowing routine fighter presence to deter two-front threats from China and Pakistan.^[33]^[46] In 2024, construction began on a new hangar at Thoise to bolster maintenance and storage for deployed squadrons, addressing gaps in high-altitude support facilities essential for national defense. Although the project faced delays prompting appeals for acceleration, it aims to improve turnaround times for aircraft amid logistical challenges in Ladakh. These developments form part of the IAF's upgrade of around 20 China-focused airbases, incorporating hardened shelters, taxiway expansions, and munitions storage to counter People's Liberation Army Air Force capabilities.^[47]^[48]

Expansion for Two-Front Threats

In response to the evolving two-front security environment involving potential simultaneous aggression from China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh and Pakistan in the west, the Indian Air Force has prioritized enhancements at Thoise AFS to sustain high-altitude operations without over-relying on assets from southern bases. This includes infrastructure upgrades to support increased aircraft deployments and rapid surge capacity, enabling the station to function as a forward operating hub for air interdiction, reconnaissance, and logistics in the northern theater, thereby allowing western sector bases to focus on Pakistan-specific contingencies.^[2]^[33] Satellite imagery from October 2021 revealed the deployment of MiG-29 fighters at Thoise, signaling infrastructure adaptations such as reinforced parking bays and maintenance facilities to accommodate heavier, multi-role jets amid heightened LAC tensions with China. These modifications addressed limitations in sustaining prolonged deployments at elevations exceeding 10,000 feet, where thinner air reduces engine performance and payload capacity. By 2024, construction of a new hangar commenced to bolster aircraft sheltering and repair capabilities, essential for maintaining operational tempo during dual-threat scenarios where resupply lines could be contested.^[33]^[47] Dual-use expansions approved in early 2025, including airstrip extensions and ancillary facilities, further enhance logistical resilience by integrating civilian operations under military oversight, facilitating quicker reinforcement from mainland India via transport aircraft like C-17 Globemasters. Such developments align with broader IAF modernization under Vision 2047, incorporating hardened shelters and radar integrations to counter ballistic missile threats from either adversary, ensuring Thoise's viability in a resource-constrained two-front conflict.^[49]

Civilian and Dual-Use Initiatives

In 2022, the Indian government allotted 28 kanals of land at Thoise Air Force Station under the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) regional connectivity scheme to enable civilian flight operations, addressing long-standing demands from Nubra Valley residents for improved air access.^[50]^[51] This initiative aims to develop a civil enclave alongside the existing military infrastructure, facilitating dual-use of the airfield for commercial aviation while preserving its strategic defense role near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. Construction of a new civilian terminal building commenced in early 2024, with an estimated cost of ₹130 crore, to support regular commercial flights from the base.^[52]^[53] By March 2025, the Indian Air Force granted clearance for civilian operations, prompting airlines such as IndiGo and Air India to evaluate routes, with flights expected to enhance connectivity to Nubra Valley and boost tourism and logistics in the remote region.^[54] The project's inclusion in the Ministry of Civil Aviation's 2024-25 annual report underscores ongoing development efforts, positioning Thoise as the second civilian airport in Ladakh after Leh. Civilian operations at Thoise demonstrated viability by May 2025, when the airfield was temporarily closed alongside 31 others for civil aircraft amid regional security tensions, indicating established dual-use protocols.^[55] Reopened shortly thereafter, the enclave supports scheduled services under UDAN, contributing to India's broader policy of integrating 39 military airfields for civil use to improve national aviation flexibility.^[56] This development enhances emergency access, as evidenced by the Indian Air Force's sheltering of 21 stranded civilians at the base during July 2025 mudslides in Nubra Valley.^[57]

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Indian Air Force recalls it's role in securing Siachen Glacier during ...
Apr 13, 2024 · Operation Meghdoot was launched on 13 April 1984, when the Indian Army and Indian Air Force (IAF) advanced to the Siachen glacier to secure the heights ...
[19]
Airpower at 18,000': The Indian Air Force in the Kargil War
Sep 20, 2012 · Flare-ups along the border between Pakistan and India have a long history, going back as far as 1947 when British rule of the subcontinent ended ...<|separator|>
[20]
IAF had airlifted 68000 personnel to Ladakh: Defence sources
Aug 13, 2023 · Indian Air Force deployed entire transport fleet to carry 68000 troops, 330 vehicles and 90 tanks to eastern Ladakh.
[21]
China Bolsters Presence on Indian Border - Geopolitical Futures
Apr 25, 2025 · While China relies on deeper-positioned bases, often 150-300 kilometers from the LAC, India maintains forces, airfields and logistics hubs ...
[22]
Thoise Airport | VI57 | Pilot info | Nubra, India - Metar-Taf.com
About Thoise Airport ; Runways, 10/28 ; Type, Small airport ; Elevation, 10,046 ft ; Coordinates, 34.6526, 77.3758 343909N 0772233E ; Variation, 2.6° E (2025).
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Thoise - India - World Airport Codes
Runway Data. Runway, Length (feet), Width (feet), Surface Type. 1, 10,000, 145, ASP. Reviews. Thoise Airport Reviews (0). Average User Rating. Add your own ...Missing: airfield | Show results with:airfield
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Airport VITE, Thoise - Aviapages
Runways. Name. Length. Lights. Type. 11. 3050x46 m (10008x150 ft). no lts. hard. Nearest airports. VILH (IXL), Leh. show info. VIKL, Kargil. show info. OPSD ( ...Missing: airfield | Show results with:airfield
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THOISE Air Base - Skytanking
IndianOil Skytanking Pvt. Ltd. c/o Indian Oil Corporation Aviation Fuelling Station Thoise, Nubra Valley Leh-Laddakh, Jammu & Kashmir 194401Missing: airfield | Show results with:airfield
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Thoise – Air Force Station & Village in Nubra - Chal Banjare
Explore Thoise in Nubra, Ladakh – home to the Indian Air Force station, helipad, and vital Siachen supply base. Located near Hunder & Diskit, via Khardung ...
[27]
[PDF] Landing AIRPORT STATE Runway Dimension(FT) OWNED BY XL ...
Thoise. Jammu & Kashmir 6053x 120. I A F Disused yes yes yes yes. Srinagar. Jammu & Kashmir yes yes. Rajouri. Jammu & Kashmir 3281 x 90 state Govt no no yes yes.
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#BREAKING $8.6 Billion upgrade of IAF airbases secretly completed ...
Jan 26, 2020 · Post completion, all IAF airfields except Leh, Thoise, Kargil and Barrackpore would have night operations capability. However, limited night ...Missing: AFS length
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Keep them Flying - Force
Fixed wing aircraft bring logistics material to Leh and Thoise air force stations from Chandigarh, from where helicopters take it to forward bases. While the ...
[30]
Force | Flying Saviours - Forceindia.net
The Mi-26 squadron at Chandigarh does not operate out of its parent base, but out of Thoise where it is deployed on temporary duty. With the capacity of ...
[31]
No.114 Helicopter Unit, Indian Air Force - Bharat-Rakshak.com
Thereafter the Units moved back to Leh in 1987 and has been operating Cheetah helicopters since then. The Units was maintaining a permanent detachment at Thoise ...
[32]
The Indian Air Force - Units Database - Badges, History and CO Lists
The Units has been operating a three aircraft detachment Ex Thoise every alternate month since April 1988. It also undertook three aircraft detachment from ...
[33]
Satellite Imagery Shows IAF Has Deployed MiG-29s At Thoise ...
Oct 19, 2021 · Recent satellite imagery of the Indian Air Force's (IAF) Thoise Air Force Station in Ladakh shows that India has deployed MiG-29 fighters at the base.
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Suggested operating schedules for sudden induction of ...
Dec 31, 2008 · For re-entry to high altitude, after 10 -30 days of break at lowland, 4 days at each stage need to be spent. After break of > 30 days full ...
[35]
For rapid deployment in high altitude areas, Indian Air Force seeks ...
Mar 22, 2024 · The Indian Air Force (IAF) is seeking a system for accelerated acclimatisation for its personnel being deployed in high altitude areas.
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Flying to Sustain - Force
Air maintenance is carried out by the IAF in the northern sector in parts including Siachen glacier and Sub-Sector North in Ladakh near Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO).
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IAF ready for winter in Siachen - Vayu Sena
The Siachen air operations of the IAF have been going on making it the longest air logistics operations in the history of the world.Missing: AFS | Show results with:AFS
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World's Highest Battlefield: Siachen@40 - SP's Aviation
Apr 22, 2024 · A short hour long eventless flight and we were disembarked at Thoise air force base. Looking around, it wasn't even what I had imagined ...
[39]
The buildup to Operation Meghdoot - Bharat-Rakshak.com
Oct 9, 2009 · Operation Meghdoot was launched on 13 April 1984 when the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force went into the Glacier.
[40]
The Cloud Messengers of Siachen - Indian Defence Review
Sep 14, 2023 · ... Operation. The Air Force had positioned six Cheetahs under Wing Cdr Sandhu and two MI-8's under Wing Cdr K K Sangar at Thoise for the Operation.
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Kargil – 10 Years After – Indian Air Force - Bharat-Rakshak.com
The additional Mi-17s required were immediately ordered to Thoise. On May 11 the Army asked for armed Mi-17 helicopters to attack the occupied points. The ...
[42]
Target Ladakh - Kargil War Heroes - Kashmiri Pandit Network
Off Turtuk on the Ladakh ranges, a Pakistani force is gathering, apparently for a thrust towards the vital airfield in Thoise. The plan, intelligence reports ...
[43]
[PDF] Competition in the Gray Zone: Countering China's Coercion Against ...
pilots and aircraft stationed at the IAF bases at Leh, Srinagar, and (periodically) Thoise undertake constant training ... High Altitude Exercise as China ...<|separator|>
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IAF airlifted over 68000 soldiers to eastern Ladakh following Galwan ...
Aug 14, 2023 · Over 68,000 Army soldiers, around 90 tanks and other weapon systems were airlifted by the Indian Air Force to eastern Ladakh from across the ...
[45]
50 Chinese Aircraft In Tibet Not A Threat, Says Air Force Chief - NDTV
Oct 4, 2018 · ... hardened aircraft shelters in remote areas ... "If you look at our bases, starting from Leh, Thoise... as you come ...
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Threat Assessment and Modernisation Challenges - SP's Aviation
But infrastructure, including hardened aircraft shelters are being built. ... Thoise hosts fighter aircraft now. IAF has upgraded its Advanced Landing ...
[47]
Hangar Construction at Thoise Airfield delayed, Mishra's ...
Jul 10, 2024 · He pointed out that the delay in the project is impacting both military readiness and the potential for future civilian aviation activities at ...Missing: altitude physical
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Indian Air Force Is Slowly But Surely Upgrading Its Air Bases To ...
Apr 16, 2024 · The IAF is enhancing the infrastructure at 20 of its airbases that are focused on China. This includes creating hardened aircraft shelters (HAS), improving ...
[49]
Indian Air Force chief unveils new modernisation plan - Janes
Oct 7, 2025 · The IAF's 'Vision 2047' looks at upgrading several platforms, integrating new weapons and systems such as radars, replacing ageing platforms, ...
[50]
Land allotted to Thoise airfield in Nubra for civilian flight operations
Nov 19, 2022 · Twenty-eight kanal land has been allotted to the Thoise military airfield under the UDAN scheme to allow civilian flights in the Nubra region of Ladakh.
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Thoise Airport to get operational under UDAAN for civilians
Nov 18, 2022 · A long pending demand of the people of Nubra valley gets a leap ahead as the airport at Thoise sanctioned under UDAAN scheme has been allotted 28 kanals as ...Missing: length | Show results with:length
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Modi Govt Starts Work on Civilian Airport at Thoise Airbase Near ...
Feb 10, 2024 · The Narendra Modi government has started work on building a new civilian terminal building at the Thoise airbase in the Nubra region in Ladakh.
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Ladakh's Thoise airbase to get civil enclave - Times of India
Feb 11, 2024 · Thoise airbase in Leh will soon have a civilian enclave that will handle commercial flights regularly as the Centre has decided to construct a terminal at the ...Missing: access | Show results with:access
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Civilian Flight Operations To Begin Soon Near LAC After Air Force ...
Mar 1, 2025 · Thoise Airport in Ladakh will soon start civilian flights after Indian Air Force clearance. A new terminal costing Rs 130 crore is being built. ...Missing: airfield facilities
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32 airports shut across north, west India till May ...
May 9, 2025 · “All civil flight activities at these airports will remain suspended ... Thoise (Ladakh), Sarsawa (Uttar Pradesh), and Uttarlai ...
[56]
IAF now has 39 of 53 military airfields, nine ALGs for civil use | India ...
Mar 15, 2023 · The Indian Air Force (IAF) now has 39 of the 53 military airfields and nine Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs) earmarked for use by civil aircraft.
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IAF's Heroic Efforts Amid Ladakh Mudslides, Collaborative ...
Jul 20, 2025 · The Indian Air Force (IAF) took swift action to shelter 21 civilians stranded in Nubra Valley, Ladakh, after rain and mudslides severed road links.