On Lucknow-Agra expressway near Unnao, 16 planes performed touching exercise. It was touch and go exercise on the expressway. There were fighter jets like Sukhoi 30s and Mirage 2000s in this exercise. They, however, take off after touching down but didn’t stop fully on the strip. While 35,000 kg C-130J Super Hercules aircraft would stop on land. This was a part of the special drill. In Uttar Pradesh, this touchdown exercise took place for the fourth time.
Super Hercules, a transport aircraft also landed on this expressway for the first time. This aircraft can carry 200 commandos and costs around Rs. 900 crore. In this exercise, there were two formations of three Mirage aircrafts. Other wonderful formations were of three aircrafts each of Sukhoi-30.
“It is for the first time that any transport aircraft will land and then take off (on the highway). The AN-32 are meant for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. The aircraft can bring a large amount of relief material and can also help in evacuating people,” PRO, Defence (Central Command), Gargi Malik Sinha said.
“It is thrilling to watch the killing machines. It was an inspiring show that will surely motivate many like me to be a part of the IAF,” said a college student, who had come to witness the show.
For emergency situations like disaster relief and war, emergency landing highways are required. In fact, 12 highways have been identified across the country for similar landing operations. Out these 12, three highways connect Naxal-affected areas in Odisha, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) Awanish Awasthi made full efforts for safe flying operations on 23 October and 24 October. To conduct this landing exercise smoothly, traffic restrictions were placed on this highway for two days.
