The Indian Air Force conducted a two day air exercise on the Purvanchal Expressway in Sultanpur district of Uttar Pradesh, where fighter jets landed and took off from a highway airstrip as part of a major operational drill.
The exercise was carried out on a 3.2 kilometre stretch at Karwal Kheri, developed as an Emergency Landing Facility. Officials said the drill was conducted to validate operational readiness and test the use of highway runways for military aircraft.
Traffic on the expressway stretch was restricted during the exercise, with diversions put in place. Security personnel were deployed along the route while technical teams managed aircraft operations.
Fighter jets conduct highway landing
Fighter jets landing on the highway formed the central part of the exercise. Aircraft including the SEPECAT Jaguar carried out landing and take off operations directly on the expressway airstrip.
Other fighter jets such as the Sukhoi Su-30MKI and Dassault Mirage 2000 performed fly pasts and coordinated manoeuvres over the highway.
Officials said fighter jets also carried out touch and go operations, where aircraft briefly land and take off again without stopping. These operations were conducted multiple times to test runway handling and pilot coordination.
Local residents gathered at designated areas near the expressway to watch the aircraft activity from a distance as fighter jets flew at low altitude during the drill.
Transport aircraft and helicopter operations
Alongside fighter jets, transport aircraft also carried out operations on the highway airstrip. The Airbus C-295 performed landing and take off runs, demonstrating its capability to operate from short and semi prepared surfaces.
The Antonov An-32 was also part of the exercise. Officials said these aircraft are used for troop movement, logistics and supply operations.
Mil Mi-17 helicopters conducted support missions, including slithering operations to simulate troop deployment. Officials said these activities were carried out as part of coordinated operations involving multiple aircraft types.
Highway airstrip used as runway
The Purvanchal Expressway includes a specially constructed stretch designed to function as a runway for aircraft. The 3.2 kilometre airstrip at Karwal Kheri has a reinforced surface to support fighter jets and heavy aircraft.
During the drill, authorities halted traffic on the selected stretch and set up barricades. Access was restricted to authorised personnel, and coordination was maintained between the air force and local administration.
Officials said the drill demonstrates the use of highways as alternative runways during emergencies. An officer said the facility allows aircraft to operate from an alternate location if required.
Ground teams inspected the airstrip before and after aircraft operations to ensure safety and maintain runway conditions.
Two-day exercise under operational conditions
The air exercise was conducted over two days, with multiple sorties carried out by different aircraft. Officials said the drill tested coordination between pilots, ground crews and control teams.
Weather conditions included haze during parts of the exercise. Officials said operations continued as planned despite reduced visibility, with aircraft completing scheduled landing and take off cycles.
Aircraft operated in planned sequences, including repeated landings and departures. Officials said the drill helped test communication systems, navigation procedures and ground handling operations.
Previous exercises have also been conducted on the same expressway, including earlier drills involving fighter jets and transport aircraft.
Network of emergency airstrips
Officials said the exercise is part of a wider plan to develop emergency landing facilities across the country. Around 28 such sites have been identified across 11 states.
These airstrips are located in regions including Rajasthan, Punjab, West Bengal and Assam. A new facility was inaugurated in Assam earlier this year.
The first emergency landing facility was operationalised in Barmer, Rajasthan, in 2021. Officials said similar airstrips have since been developed on multiple expressways.
These facilities are designed to support aircraft operations when required and provide additional landing options beyond conventional airbases.
Official remarks
Officials said the purpose of the exercise was to test procedures and ensure that fighter jets and other aircraft can operate from highway airstrips when required.
They said the drill forms part of routine training conducted by the air force. No incidents were reported during the exercise.
There was no official link between the exercise and current international developments. Recent statements by global leaders have focused on separate issues. For example, Donald Trump said efforts were ongoing to reduce tensions in West Asia, while officials in Iran have said their actions are in response to external pressure.
The exercise concluded with aircraft returning to their bases after completing scheduled operations. Officials said similar drills would continue as part of preparedness measures.
