During the ongoing military exercise, Gaganshakti, aircraft from the Indian Air Force (IAF) will conduct landing and take-off operations at various sites, including roads in Uttar Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.
The aircraft operations aim to demonstrate the nation’s advancing infrastructure capabilities, with the highway sections strategically chosen to facilitate emergency operations.
“A highway landing and takeoff operation is planned in Jammu and Kashmir, while another one is taking place near Lucknow on April 7,” defence sources said.
The IAF intends to utilize its C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft in conjunction with the Su-30 MKI, Mirage 2000, and additional aircraft for deployment.
A couple of years ago, the IAF prominently demonstrated its capabilities in the Barmer district of Rajasthan, where a segment of the highway was utilized for a C-130 landing. The defence minister, road transport minister, and other dignitaries were passengers during this event.
In collaboration with the IAF, the Road Transport Ministry has developed road sections constructed to runway specifications, devoid of dividers, enabling the utilization of both sides of the road for operations.
These designated stretches have been established to facilitate emergency landing and take-off operations, particularly in conflict scenarios where airfields are under attack, and there is a need to accommodate numerous airborne planes requiring space for landing and take-off.
In addition to military contingencies, these road stretches would prove invaluable in the event of nearby disasters. IAF transport planes and helicopters could swiftly reach the closest affected areas, offering vital support to the local population.
The IAF has undertaken various initiatives for nation-building, such as inaugurating the civil terminal at the Prayagraj Air Force airfield and permitting the dual utilization of military infrastructure.