The Indian Air Force organized a grand air show with its state -of -the -art fighter jets on the Ganga Expressway in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh. The show was attended by fighter jets like Rafael, Mirage-200, Jaguar, Sukhoi-30 MKI, MiG-29 and C-130J Super Hercules, AN-32, Mi-17 V5 helicopters. The event was held on the 3.5 km long airstrip built on the Ganga Expressway, which is the first strip in the country where landing of fighter aircraft is possible both day and night.
The purpose of this air show was to test the ability to use this bandage as an alternative runway in emergency situations like war or disaster. This strategic airstrip is located near Piru village of Jalalabad police station area of Shahjahanpur and China is just 250 km from the border.
The demonstration by the Air Force included touch-end, landing and takeoff. Fighter jets tested the airstrip capabilities by flying at an altitude of one meter.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath recently inspected the airstrip and described it as a “milestone” in the development of Uttar Pradesh. In terms of security, 250 CCTV cameras have been installed on either side of the airstrip, and special lighting has also been made for night landing. This air show will run from 11:30 am to 10 pm, in which the night landing will also be successfully tested.
The event was attended by school students, NCC cadets, public representatives and a large number of local citizens, who saw the bravery and skills of the Indian Air Force closely and welcomed him with enthusiasm.
It is worth noting that the Ganga Expressway is the fourth expressway in Uttar Pradesh, where this type of airstrip has been built, but this is the first expressway where the facility of night landing is available. The event is being considered an important step towards bringing India’s military preparations and civil-singing coordination to new heights.