IAF Jets Conduct Day-Night Ops at India’s First Ganga Expressway Airstrip
The Indian Air Force on Friday showcased its operational might with day and night landings of Rafale, MiG-29, and other aircraft at India’s first expressway airstrip in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh.
In a first for India, the Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully conducted both day and night operations on a newly built 3.5-km airstrip on the Ganga Expressway in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh. The strip, designed for round-the-clock military use, marks a strategic infrastructure milestone amid heightened Indo-Pak tensions.
The IAF deployed a range of fighter and transport aircraft including Rafale, MiG-29, Mirage 2000, SU-30 MKI, Jaguar, C-130J Super Hercules, AN-32, and Mi-17 V5 helicopters for takeoff and landing drills.
“This is not just a display of air power but a major leap in emergency preparedness and strategic infrastructure,” said a senior Defence Ministry official.
The expressway airstrip is the only one in the country capable of handling night landings, thanks to advanced lighting systems and upcoming 250 CCTV cameras for 24/7 surveillance. The site also has plans for rapid military deployment and is being examined as an alternative runway during wartime or disasters.
UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath praised the achievement, calling it “a matter of national pride” and an example of “New India’s growing defence self-reliance.”
Major Aircraft Involved in the Operation
- Rafale: Armed with Meteor missiles and advanced radar-evading tech.
- MiG-29 & Mirage 2000: Known for agility, deep strike and high-altitude performance.
- SU-30 MKI: Capable of long-range strikes with BrahMos missiles.
- Jaguar: Specialised in anti-ship and ground attack roles.
- C-130J & AN-32: Used for transport, special ops and relief missions.
- MI-17 V5: Multi-role chopper for rescue, medical evacuation and logistics.
The exercise comes days after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which left 26 civilians dead. With India ramping up its countermeasures, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and downgrading diplomatic ties with Pakistan, the military’s readiness on home soil has become even more critical.
This is Uttar Pradesh’s fourth expressway with a functional airstrip. Others are located on the Agra-Lucknow Expressway (Unnao), Purvanchal Expressway (Sultanpur), and Bundelkhand Expressway (near Etawah).
The Uttar Pradesh government is also planning to develop an industrial hub near the Ganga Expressway airstrip, expected to generate thousands of jobs and boost regional economic activity.
“By combining military utility with industrial development, this corridor will be a dual-purpose engine for both defence and growth,” a senior UP government official noted.
