Shahjahanpur (Uttar Pradesh) [India], May 2 (ANI): The Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted a significant flypast and operational exercise on the Ganga Expressway in Uttar Pradesh on Friday. The IAF demonstrated its operational readiness with take-off and landing drills of advanced fighter aircraft, including the Rafale, Jaguar, and Mirage, on a 3.5-kilometre-long airstrip in Shahjahanpur, part of the ongoing construction of the Ganga Expressway.
This exercise aimed to assess the potential of the expressway as an alternative runway during wartime or national emergencies. According to an IAF statement, this will be the first airstrip in India designed to support both day and night landings of fighter aircraft, positioning it as a strategic asset for defense preparedness. It will also serve as a key training and rehearsal base for the Air Force.
For enhanced security, the airstrip is equipped with around 250 CCTV cameras along both sides. The IAF has taken over operational control of the airstrip, with coordinated efforts from the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA).
The exercise will take place in two phases: a daytime display and a nighttime demonstration to test the airstrip’s capabilities for night landings. The fighter jets will perform low fly-pasts at just one meter above ground level, followed by landing and take-off drills. The exercise will be repeated from 7 PM to 10 PM to assess night operational capabilities.
The Ganga Expressway, the first of its kind in Uttar Pradesh and nationwide to support night landings, marks a crucial enhancement of the Indian Air Force’s operational capabilities, ensuring the ability to conduct missions around the clock. This exercise reflects a new era of civil-military synergy, reinforcing India’s defense strategy and readiness.
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