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IAF drill: Fighter jets turn expressway into runway
The Indian Air Force conducted a two-day emergency landing exercise on the Purvanchal Expressway in Uttar Pradesh, testing the use of a national highway as an alternative runway. The drill featured a range of aircraft performing landings, takeoffs, and mock operations along a sealed 3.2-km facility and a 5-km stretch, with an evening session planned and safety measures in place.
Why It Matters
The exercise demonstrates strategic flexibility by validating the feasibility of using highways as emergency runways, enhancing preparedness for potential conflict scenarios.
Timeline
11 Events
UP minister Om Prakash Rajbhar comments
April 22, 2026
UP minister Om Prakash Rajbhar said such drills help assess the preparedness of the armed forces and ensure swift action in emergency situations. He added elaborate arrangements were made by the administration to ensure the event was conducted safely and smoothly.
IAF official remarks on fleet versatility
April 22, 2026
A senior IAF official said the operational versatility of the IAF was demonstrated through the operations by a diverse fleet of aircraft, including Jaguar, Mirage-2000, Su-30 MKI, C-295 and AN-32, alongside the Mi-17 V5 helicopter and the Garud Commando team.
Evening session planned without public access
April 22, 2026
The exercise will continue in phases, with an evening session scheduled without public access.
Expressway sealed for drill
April 22, 2026
A five-kilometre stretch of the expressway was sealed for the drill, with security tightened and traffic diverted.
AN-32 touch-and-go maneuvers
April 22, 2026
AN-32 aircraft carried out 'touch-and-go' manoeuvres.
Mi-17 V5 helicopter inserts commandos
April 22, 2026
Mi-17 V5 helicopter inserted commandos as part of a mock operation.
Sukhoi-30 MKI and Mirage-2000 operations
April 22, 2026
Sukhoi-30 MKI and Mirage-2000 jets executed repeated landing and take-off runs, simulating wartime dispersal and rapid turnaround.
Jaguar fighters take-offs
April 22, 2026
Jaguar fighters followed with take-offs over the hours.
C-295 lands on expressway emergency facility
April 22, 2026
A C-295 transport aircraft made the first landing on the 3.2-km emergency landing facility on the expressway.
Similar drill conducted on expressway in 2023
2023
A similar emergency landing drill was conducted on the Purvanchal Expressway in 2023.
Purvanchal Expressway inaugurated
November 2021
The 341-km Purvanchal Expressway linking Lucknow to Ghazipur was inaugurated.