The Indian Air Force (IAF) executed a night landing at the Kargil airport in Ladakh, marking a noteworthy first. The Indian Air Force (IAF) declared on Sunday that its C-130J Super Hercules cargo plane had just reached a significant milestone by successfully landing at night at the high-altitude Kargil advanced landing site, which is close to the Union Territory’s Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan.
A Historical Moment
According to those familiar with the situation, the IAF’s operational capabilities in the strategically important area were shown by the tactical lift aircraft’s night arrival at the Kargil airfield, carrying the elite Garud commandos.
It was the first time a cargo plane landed at night, even though IAF aircraft had previously operated from the advanced landing site.
The IAF said in a post on X that terrain masking methods were used during the mission in addition to the night landing at the Kargil airport.
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 Garuds.#SakshamSashaktAtmanirbhar pic.twitter.com/MNwLzaQDz7
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) January 7, 2024
IAF Aims To Improve Airfields Infrastructure
Around 10,500 feet is the altitude of the Kargil airfield.
In accordance with operational needs, the defense ministry has also been concentrating on improving infrastructure at practically all airfields along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), including the Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs).
In particular, it is improving the infrastructure at the airport at Nyoma and the Daulat Beg Oldi Advanced Landing Ground (ALG).
The highest airfield in the world, the Daulat Beg Oldi ALG, is situated near the LAC at a height of 16,700 feet. During the severe winter months, Daulat Beg Oldi experiences temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius.
IAF: Sukhoi-30 MKI Fighter Jet
In related news, the Indian Air Force (IAF) recently declared that it intends to provide its Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jets with an additional twenty years of service. About 20 years ago, the IAF began introducing combat aircraft of Russian origin.
272 Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft have been added to the Indian Air Force’s fleet, and for the next 15 to 20 years at least, these twin-engine aircraft will serve as the force’s mainstay.
The Indian Air Force wants to add at least 20 additional years to the fighter jets’ operational lifespan. Defense officials informed news agency ANI that the Indian Air Force has experience extending the service life of aircraft by conducting thorough tests on the airframe and other components.
“Service life extension would help the Indian Air Force around 2045–2050 to maintain the fleet of its formidable Su-30s,” they stated.
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