IAF jets land on Lucknow-Agra Expressway: 10 points

THE EXERCISE
The IAF's touchdown exercise, in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh Government, is the first official IAF exercise on the expressway, which was inaugurated in November last year. The jets used the stretch during the day to hone pilots' skills in using public roads in case of a war-like emergency. The exercise took place near Bangarmau in Unnao and was rehearsal for the defence forces.
This handout photograph by the IAF shows an IAF Mirage-2000 aircraft as it lands on the Yamuna Expressway. (File photo: AFP)

THE JETS
According to the Defence ministry statement, 20 IAF aircraft (both fighter and transport) will participate in a touch and go manoeuvre on the expresshighway. These will include French Dassault Mirage-2000, Jaguar, Sukhoi-30 MKI and AN-32 transport.
IAF's Sukhoi-30 MKI landed on Agra-Lucknow Expressway during its inauguration ceremony on November 21, 2016 (File photo)

FIRST TIME FOR 'TRANSPORT' AIRCRAFT
"It is for the first time any transport aircraft will land and then take off from the expressway. The AN-32 are meant for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief during floods or any other natural calamity," PRO, Defence (Central Command), Gargi Malik Sinha was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
IAF's AN-32 transport aircraft. (File Photo: PTI)

THE SHOW-STOPPER
The main attraction of the exercise was the Super Hercules C-130J, also known as the military transport aircraft. At present, IAF has six Hercules transport aircraft, which are manufactured by the US. Of these, two are stationed at the Bakshi ka Talab air base. The super specialty of the military transport aircraft has four highly advanced turboprop engines. It also serves as the aerial refuelling and loader aircraft. The first Super Hercules was brought by IAF in 2008. Defence official said IAF plans to buy more Her cules aircraft in the future. The craft is equipped with several major facilities and super emergency backup resources like large firefighting air tanker to douse the wildfire, large space to carry artillery, ammunition, bombs, goods for defence personnel, airlift material etc.
IAF officials coming out after landing the Super Hercules C-130J at the renovated Panagarh Airfield runway in West Bengal. (File photo: PTI)

THE KICK-OFF
The exercise commenced with a short landing by the C-130J transport aircraft, which dropped IAF's Special Forces Garud commandos and their vehicle. Immediately on disembarking from the transport aircraft, the commandos took position on either side of the airstrip to cordon it off for the operation.
IAF personnel stand near C-130J Super Hercules aircraft at Uttar Pradesh's Hindon Air Force Station. (File photo: PTI)

THE MANOEUVRE
Once Garud commandos have secured the airstrip, three Jaguar Deep penetration strike aircraft, two formations of three aircraft each of Mirages and two formations of three aircraft each of Sukhoi-30 made an entry. And then all 15 fighter aircraft carried out a touch and go manoeuvre on the expressway. The C-130 then returned for another short landing to extricate the Garud Commandos.
IAF's Mirage 2000 jet while landing on Agra-Lucknow Expressway during its inauguration ceremony last year. (File photo: BCCL)

'LANDING ON E-WAY AN IMPORTANT OPERATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT'
Terming the event as "important operational achievement", vice chief of IAF Air Marshal SB Deo said that the highways can be very important during wartime when the runway is denied for some reason.
"We have done it earlier where we have the Mirages land on this highway and I'm very happy that the government has taken this very serious step, every new highway that has been made has provision, wherever straight leg permits, it will be made capable of handling fighter aircraft," Deo was quoted as saying by news agency IANS.
IAF's Sukhoi-30 MKI (File photo: PTI)

NOT FOR THE FIRST TIME
This is not the first time fighter jets have landed on an expressway. Earlier, Mirage-2000 and Sukhoi-30 have twice landed on Uttar Pradesh expressway's. On May 21, 2016, a Mirage-2000 became IAF's first fighter plane to have touched down on the Yamuna Expressway near Delhi. And last year in November, eight fighter jets landed on the expressway during its inauguration ceremony.
IAF fighter jets during inauguration ceremony of Agra-Lucknow Expressway last year. (File photo: PTI)



GREEN SIGNAL FOR MORE HIGHWAY
A number of highways have been cleared by the government for being used as airstrip for emergencies such as disaster relief, humanitarian assistance, as well as in situations of war or conflict. According to the Road and Transport Ministry, at least 12 highways have been okayed for similar landing operations. Interestingly, three of those are in Maoist-affected areas of the country.
IAF's Mirage-2000(File photo: PTI)

TRAFFIC MOVEMENT TO BE AFFECTED
In view of the IAF's major touchdown exercise, the traffic restrictions had been introduced along expressway near Bangarmau in Unnao district. According to the officials, the expressway will remain closed for commuters from 10am till 2pm today.