Shahjahanpur (UP) May 02, 2025: The Indian Air Force (IAF) is gearing up for a spectacular display of its operational capacity today on a 3.5-kilometer airstrip along the under-construction Ganga Expressway in Uttar Pradesh’s Shahjahanpur district. The event, a first-of-its-kind, will feature advanced fighter jets like Rafale, Jaguar, Mirage-2000, SU-30 MKI, and MiG-29, alongside transport aircraft such as the C-130J Super Hercules and AN-32, and the versatile MI-17 V5 helicopter. This airshow, scheduled in two phases—daytime and nighttime—aims to test the expressway’s airstrip as a viable runway for emergency operations during conflicts or natural disasters. What sets this airstrip apart is its unique capability to support night landings, a first for any expressway in India, making it a critical asset for the IAF’s round-the-clock operational readiness.The event will see fighter jets executing daring low fly-pasts at an altitude of just one meter, followed by take-off and landing drills. The day time excercise is scheduled between 11:30 to 1pm and night time phase, running from 7 PM to 10 PM, will put the airstrip’s advanced lighting and navigation systems to the test. Around 250 CCTV cameras have been installed along the strip to ensure airtight security, with IAF personnel working closely with the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) to manage operations. “This airshow is a testament to India’s growing defence capabilities and the synergy between civilian infrastructure and military strategy,” said a senior IAF official. “The Ganga Expressway’s airstrip will serve as a vital training ground and a fallback runway during emergencies.”
