In a significant initiative aimed at bolstering India’s defense capabilities, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to conduct an operational trial on the under-construction Ganga Expressway in Shahjahanpur on May 2, 2025. This exercise will feature advanced fighter jets such as the Rafale, Jaguar, and Mirage, and is designed to assess the expressway’s potential as an alternative runway during emergencies and military operations.
A dedicated 3.5-kilometer segment of the Ganga Expressway has been specifically developed to function as an emergency airstrip, making it the fourth expressway in Uttar Pradesh designated for military aviation, following the Agra-Lucknow, Purvanchal, and Bundelkhand expressways. Notably, this expressway will be the first in the state capable of supporting both day and night operations for fighter jets, significantly enhancing India’s tactical flexibility.
The trial will encompass a variety of activities, including take-off and landing tests, as well as low-altitude fly-bys, which will occur just one meter above the surface. Planned engagements will occur from early morning until late evening, with critical night landing simulations scheduled between 7 PM and 10 PM.
This move comes on the heels of the tragic Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which resulted in 26 casualties and sparked a renewed emphasis on national security and the need for rapid military mobilization. The IAF will also involve various transport aircraft, including the C-130J Super Hercules, AN-32, and MI-17 V5 helicopters, which are vital for conducting special operations, disaster relief, and humanitarian missions.
To facilitate the trial, the IAF has taken operational control over the designated airstrip section, closely collaborating with the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA). To ensure a secure environment during the drills, 250 CCTV cameras have been strategically placed along the airstrip.
This operational trial aligns with the IAF’s broader strategy of leveraging dual-use infrastructure to enhance military logistics and rapid deployment capabilities. A precedent for this approach was established in January 2024 during the Kargil operations, where a C-130J successfully performed a night landing on an upgraded airstrip.
As India continues its push towards modernization of its defense infrastructure, the Ganga Expressway trial stands to set a vital benchmark for integrating civilian roadways into military operations, thereby improving readiness in both conflict and crisis situations.
