📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Aleksandr Markin
Defence
Indian Air Force Sets Altitude Record with IL-76MD Landing at 13,629 ft in Ladakh
✍️ NDTV
🗓 10 Nov 2026, 08:37 AM
👁 10
The Indian Air Force's heavy‑lift IL‑76MD successfully touched down at Nyoma airfield in Ladakh, setting a new world record for the highest landing altitude.
The Indian Air Force’s heavy‑lift transport aircraft, the IL‑76MD, has made aviation history by successfully landing at Nyoma airfield in Ladakh at an altitude of 13,629 feet (4,160 meters). The operation took place on a clear day, with the aircraft approaching the high‑altitude runway under optimal weather conditions.
The IL‑76MD, known for its robust design and payload capacity, demonstrated its capability to operate in extreme environments. The landing marked the highest altitude ever achieved by a commercial‑grade aircraft, surpassing previous records held by other heavy‑lift models.
Military officials highlighted the significance of this achievement for future high‑altitude missions, including strategic airlift, humanitarian aid, and rapid deployment of troops and equipment in the Himalayan region.
The successful operation underscores the Indian Air Force’s growing expertise in high‑altitude aviation and its commitment to enhancing logistical support across the country’s northern frontiers.
The IL‑76MD, known for its robust design and payload capacity, demonstrated its capability to operate in extreme environments. The landing marked the highest altitude ever achieved by a commercial‑grade aircraft, surpassing previous records held by other heavy‑lift models.
Military officials highlighted the significance of this achievement for future high‑altitude missions, including strategic airlift, humanitarian aid, and rapid deployment of troops and equipment in the Himalayan region.
The successful operation underscores the Indian Air Force’s growing expertise in high‑altitude aviation and its commitment to enhancing logistical support across the country’s northern frontiers.