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May 3, 2025
When Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jets roar down national highways, it's easy to dismiss the event as a dramatic show of strength. But these operations are far more strategic than ceremonial. Highway landings and take-offs by IAF jets underscore India’s focus on preparedness, rapid deployment, and combat-readiness under real-world scenarios.
The Real Purpose Behind Highway Jet Landings
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Strategic Emergency Preparedness
In times of war or natural disaster, airbases may become targets or unusable. National highways can serve as alternate runways, enabling uninterrupted air operations. -
Rapid Deployment Capabilities
Using highways allows the IAF to station or relocate assets closer to border areas or conflict zones without relying solely on fixed airbases. -
Multi-role Infrastructure
India’s development of Emergency Landing Facilities (ELFs) across key highways, especially in border states like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Arunachal Pradesh, ensures dual-purpose infrastructure that serves both civilian and military needs. -
Interoperability Testing
Highway operations test the synergy between the Air Force, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and local administration — a critical aspect of real-time response coordination.
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Recent Highway Landing Operations
Some notable examples include:
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Rajasthan (Barmer – NH-925A): India's first ELF where a Sukhoi Su-30MKI and Mirage 2000 performed takeoffs and landings in 2021.
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Uttar Pradesh (Agra-Lucknow Expressway): Repeated successful landings by multiple fighter jets during both drills and air shows.
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Andhra Pradesh & Arunachal: Future landing strips being developed to boost eastern and northeastern defense readiness.
Global Context: India Joins a Select Group
By building highway landing strips, India joins nations like Sweden, Germany, China, and the United States, which have long developed such dual-use capabilities. It’s a critical evolution in national defense logistics.
Expert Viewpoint
“This is not just military theatre. The ability to project air power from highways is a credible operational tactic in today’s threat landscape,” — Defense analyst [Insert Name].
