The Nyoma airstrip in Ladakh is to be modernised upgrading IAF's advanced landing ground system. This will enable the airstrip, just 23 kilometers off the Line of Actual Control, to become a full-fledged air base closer to the borders with China for deploying top-notch fighter jets including the Sukhois.IAF's Western Air Command chief Air Marshal N A K Browne told a Press conference in New Delhi today that the proposal for modernising the airstrip has gone to the Defence Ministry for approval. IAF had activated Nyoma in September last year when an AN-32 medium lift transport aircraft landed on the unused airstrip. Defence Minister A K Antony visited Nyoma this June. In the last two years, IAF has activated three such airstrips – Daulat Beg Oldi at 16,200-feet altitude and Fukche at 13,000 feet much closer to the LAC.