Shahjahanpur (Uttar Pradesh), May 2: In a landmark display of military readiness and strategic innovation, the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Friday conducted a flypast and landing exercises on a 3.5-kilometre-long airstrip constructed as part of the Ganga Expressway in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh.
The high-profile event featured day and night-time operations, including low-altitude fly-pasts, landings, and take-offs by frontline aircraft such as the Rafale, Jaguar, and Mirage fighter jets. These exercises are aimed at evaluating the expressway’s potential as a wartime alternative runway, marking a significant step in the country’s defence preparedness.
According to the IAF, this is the first airstrip in India designed specifically to support both day and night fighter jet operations, making it a strategic asset for future military contingencies and training.
A statement from the IAF highlighted the importance of the exercise, stating:
“This will be the first airstrip in the country designed to support day and night landings of fighter aircraft, making it a strategic asset for defence preparedness. It will also serve as the Air Force’s training and rehearsal base.”
To ensure tight security, around 250 CCTV cameras were installed along both sides of the airstrip. Operational control of the location has been handed over to the IAF for the duration of the exercise, with coordinated efforts between IAF personnel and the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA).
The air show is being conducted in two phases — one during daylight and another from 7 PM to 10 PM to assess night landing capabilities. Aircraft are flying at extremely low altitudes, some as low as one meter above the surface, showcasing high-precision flying.
This demonstration of civil-military synergy also underscores the broader strategic intent behind infrastructure development, with the Ganga Expressway playing a dual role as both a public highway and a military runway during emergencies.