In April final 12 months, the IAF performed the primary test-run of the three.5 km lengthy emergency touchdown strip with 5 helicopters on the Jammu-Srinagar nationwide freeway in Bijbehara, Anantnag. IAF Chinook and Mi-17 helicopters landed on a stretch of the nationwide freeway.
The Indian Air Pressure on Friday began its much-anticipated ‘land and go’ drill on the three.5-km stretch of the Ganga Expressway in Uttar Pradesh’s Shahjahanpur district, marking a major milestone within the nation’s defence preparedness. What units this expressway stretch aside is its distinctive functionality to facilitate each day and night time landings of fighter jets, making it the primary such airstrip within the nation.
Earlier emergency touchdown drills carried out on Purvanchal Expressway
Till now, related emergency touchdown drills had been carried out on the Lucknow-Agra and Purvanchal expressways, however these had been restricted to daytime operations. The trial entails a spread of IAF plane, together with Rafale, SU-30 MKI, Mirage-2000, MiG-29, Jaguar, C-130J Tremendous Hercules, AN-32, and the MI-17 V5 helicopter.
Forward of the drill, the Ganga Expressway was outfitted with over 250 CCTV cameras to make sure foolproof safety and surveillance. Prime defence and state officers had been additionally current to supervise the proceedings. Amid heavy safety, over half a dozen fighter plane performed flyover and touchdown simulations in the course of the day.
India’s first airstrip constructed on an expressway
It’s fascinating to notice that it’s India’s first airstrip constructed on an expressway to permit fighter jet operations at any time of the day or night time. To make sure security, 250 CCTV cameras have been put in alongside the stretch, enabling real-time monitoring and fast police response in case of any incident.
Know all about emergency touchdown amenities in Jammu and Kashmir
In April final 12 months, the IAF performed the primary test-run of the three.5 km lengthy emergency touchdown strip with 5 helicopters on the Jammu-Srinagar nationwide freeway in Bijbehara, Anantnag. IAF Chinook and Mi-17 helicopters landed on a stretch of the nationwide freeway.
Round two sorties of the US-manufactured Chinook and the Russian-made Mi-17 helicopters landed on the Wanpoh-Sangam stretch of the Jammu-Srinagar Nationwide Freeway.
The work on the three.5-km emergency touchdown strip was began in 2020 and accomplished in 2024 as a part of the programme initiated by the IAF with the Ministry of Highway Transport and Highways for the creation of ELFs at completely different areas throughout the nation.
Safety was heightened alongside the touchdown strip with extra personnel deployed to make sure that folks don’t stray near the realm, the officers mentioned.
Chinook helicopters, which have a high pace of 310 kmph, are used for lifting heavy weights. The principle cabin can maintain over 33 fully-equipped troops.
It may also be used for medical evacuation and the helicopter, which has a journey vary of 741 km, can accommodate 24 stretchers. The Mi-17 helicopters can accommodate as much as 35 troops. Each these helicopters have been pressed into reduction and rescue operations throughout pure disasters.
The IAF’s ELF drill is to showcase the synergy and liaison between civil businesses, such because the Nationwide Highways Authority of India (NHAI), district administration and state police, and the air power in direction of the conduct of complicated multi-faceted actions.