Ganga Expressway: Fighter Jets Including Rafale And Sukhoi To Land Today In Historic IAF Drill

In a landmark moment for India’s defense infrastructure, the Indian Air Force is set to conduct a grand fighter jet landing exercise on the newly built airstrip of the Ganga Expressway near Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Jets like Rafale, Sukhoi-30 MKI, Mirage 2000, Jaguar, MiG-29, and transport aircraft including AN-32 and C-130J will participate in this historic drill. Notably, the airstrip is equipped with special lighting systems, allowing both day and night landings, a first for any expressway airstrip in the country.Despite initial delays due to bad weather and dust on the runway, extensive preparations by IAF personnel ensured the track was cleaned promptly. Security remains tight with over 250 CCTV cameras and high deployment of armed forces around the area. The event will also feature live visuals for the public, showcasing India’s air power readiness and strategic capabilities.Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had inspected the site a week ago. This operation follows similar runway exercises on the Agra-Lucknow, Purvanchal, and Bundelkhand expressways, but Ganga Expressway stands out due to its advanced facilities for night operations.The landing of fighter jets marks a milestone in India's growing defense preparedness and technological advancement.