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5d ago

IAF Conducts First Day-Night Operations on Ganga Expressway Airstrip

The Shahjahanpur airstrip becomes India's first expressway runway capable of fighter jet landings at night, demonstrating enhanced defence preparedness.

IAF's Jaguar, which is a precision strike aircraft used in ground attack and anti-ship missions will be the among the first aircrafts to touch down on the Ganga expressway airstrip.
Chief minister Yogi Adityanath inspects the construction work of Ganga Expressway in Hardoi, Shahjahanpur and Hapur, on Sunday. (ANI Photo)
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Overview

  • The Indian Air Force performed day and night take-off, landing, and low-altitude fly-past drills on the 3.5-km Shahjahanpur airstrip on May 2, 2025.
  • This marks the first expressway airstrip in India designed to support both day and night fighter jet operations, boosting military readiness.
  • Advanced aircraft including Rafale, Jaguar, and Mirage jets participated in the trials to evaluate the airstrip's viability as an alternative wartime runway.
  • Extensive security measures, such as 250 CCTV cameras, were implemented, and operational control of the airstrip was handed over to the IAF in coordination with UPEIDA.
  • Key officials, including Finance Minister Suresh Khanna and senior Air Force leaders, attended the event, which highlights a new era of civil-military infrastructure integration.