The Indian Air Force (IAF) activated an Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) on the Purvanchal Expressway in Uttar Pradesh’s Sultanpur district on Wednesday, 22 April, conducting operations both during the day and at night to demonstrate operational readiness.
The activation showcased the IAF’s ability to use highway infrastructure as an alternative to conventional runways, ensuring continuity of operations in situations where standard airbases may be unavailable.
A range of aircraft participated in the exercise, including Jaguar, Mirage-2000, Sukhoi-30 MKI, C-295 and AN-32, along with Mi-17 V5 helicopters.
The Garud Commando team was also deployed as part of the operation.
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Senior officials present during the activation included Uttar Pradesh State Minister for Panchayati Raj and Minority Welfare Om Prakash Rajbhar and Air Marshal B Manikantan, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Air Command.
The exercise involved coordination between the IAF, Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA), and the local civil administration.
Standard Operating Procedures for the rapid activation of the ELF were validated within a short timeframe under both day and night conditions.
The activation demonstrated the IAF’s ability to conduct uninterrupted air operations even in the absence of dedicated runways, highlighting both operational resilience and the proficiency of air and ground crews.
Highway-based airstrips such as the one on the Purvanchal Expressway are designed to enhance operational flexibility and act as force multipliers during emergencies.
These facilities are also expected to support disaster response and humanitarian assistance operations.
