The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Friday conducted a flypast and landing exercise drill on the Ganga Expressway near Piru village in Jalalabad Sub-division of Shahjahanpur district. The exercise featured aircraft like the Rafale, MiG-29, Sukhoi-30 MKI, Jaguar, Mirage-2000, C-130J Super Hercules, AN-32 transport aircraft and MI-17 V5 helicopters performing both take-off and landing exercises to check daytime and nighttime operations. 

“Cutting-edge aircraft such as the Rafale, Sukhoi-30 MKI, MiG-29, Mirage-2000, Jaguar, AN-32, C-130J Super Hercules, and MI-17 helicopters took to the skies in an extraordinary showcase of combat readiness and disaster relief capabilities. The event featured practice flights and live demonstrations, giving audiences a glimpse of the IAF’s advanced operational prowess,” reads a statement by the U.P. government. 

Hundreds of spectators present at the spot witnessed roar of engines and high-precision aerial manoeuvres with live commentary providing insights into the technical capabilities and strategic roles of each aircraft.

The venue, a specially constructed 3.5-kilometre-long airstrip on the Ganga Expressway, is designed for emergency landings and take-offs by military aircraft, considered an important strategic asset for both defense and disaster response operations.

The 594-kilometre-long Ganga Expressway, which will connect Meerut to Prayagraj, is currently in its final phase of construction. Once operational, it is expected to significantly boost regional development and serve as a vital piece of national infrastructure. The government is eyeing to inaugurate the expressway by November 2025.