US EditionRafale, Jaguar touch down on UP's Ganga Expressway: IAF tests Shahjahanpur airstrip with ‘land and go' drill
- The Indian Air Force conducted landing and take-off drills on May 2, 2025, at a 3.5-kilometer airstrip on the Ganga Expressway in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh.
- The exercise evaluated the expressway’s functionality as a supplementary landing strip for military aircraft during crisis situations or conflict periods, amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan.
- A variety of sophisticated combat and transport aircraft such as the Mirage-2000, Jaguar, MiG-29, Sukhoi-30 MKI, Rafale fighters, along with C-130J Super Hercules, AN-32 planes, and MI-17 V5 helicopters, participated in both daytime and nighttime flight operations.
- The 3.5-kilometer airstrip is India’s first on an expressway with night landing capability and is equipped with 250 CCTV cameras to support round-the-clock military use.
- This development aims to strengthen defense preparedness by enhancing the IAF’s operational readiness and providing a strategic asset for rapid deployment and training.
24 Articles
24 Articles
Indian Air Force showcases aerial might as fighter jets soar over under construction Ganga Expressway
Hundreds of spectators present at the spot witnessed roar of engines and high-precision aerial manoeuvres with live commentary providing insights into the technical capabilities and strategic roles of each aircraft.
Pakistan's fear is going to increase further. First because of the Rafale fighter jets and now because of the dangerous Brahmos NG missile fitted in them.
Rafale, Jaguar touch down on UP's Ganga Expressway: IAF tests Shahjahanpur airstrip with ‘land and go' drill
The IAF conducted spectacular take-off and landing exercises on a 3.5-kilometre-long airstrip in Shahjahanpur, part of the under-construction Ganga Expressway in Uttar Pradesh. Rafale, Jaguar and other advanced fighter jets were a part of the drill
Fighter jets land on Ganga Expressway strip
The Indian Air Force demonstrated its preparedness by conducting fighter jet drills on the Ganga Expressway in Uttar Pradesh. A 3.5-kilometre-long airstrip near Jalalabad in Shahjahanpur was used for the exercise, aimed at turning expressways into alternate airbases during emergencies. An AN-32 aircraft made a successful landing after circling for five minutes. The drills also featured top IAF jets including Rafale, Sukhoi, Mirage-2000, MiG-29, a
IAF's Rafale, MiG-29 display prowess at India's 1st night landing airstrip on Ganga Expressway in UP
The Indian Air Force's prowess will be on display again on Friday as fighter jets such as Rafale, MiG-29, Mirage 2000 and others practice landing at India's first-ever night landing strip built on the Ganga Expressway in Uttar Pradesh's Shahjahapur. The 3.5-kilometer-long airstrip is capable of both day and nighttime landings of Air Force jets, allowing round-the-clock military operations and to assess the expressway's viability as an alternativ…
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