Daulat Beg Oldie

·         On May 31, 2008 IAF activated the world highest airfield, Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO), when an AN-32 from Chandigarh touched down on the unpaved airstrip.

·         This is the first time that a fixed-wing aircraft landed at DBO in 43 years.

·         Operations by transport aircraft from DBO will give a much-needed boost to providing logistic support to troops deployed in the forward regions in the Aksai Chin Sector.

·         Located at an altitude of 16,200 feet near the strategic Karakoram Pass, just about 10 km from the Sino-Indian Line of Actual Control, DBO is an important Army forward post which links with the ancient Silk Route to China.

·         The airstrip was build during the 1962 Sino-Indian conflict and three-engined Packets operated from DBO from 1962 to 1965.

·         The strip was 6,000 feet long whereas the ideal length required under the conditions was 10,000 feet.

·         Regular operations to DBO are expected to commence by October this year.

·         In winters, air maintenance is the sole means to sustain troops in that region . As DBO is situated in a bowl, it would have little snow cover, enabling frequent sorties in winters.