IAF Tests Night-Ready Airstrip on Ganga Expressway in Uttar Pradesh
Lucknow, May 3, 2025- In a major step towards improving India’s defence and emergency preparedness, the Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted a successful night-time fighter jet exercise on a newly constructed 3.5-kilometre-long airstrip on the Ganga Expressway in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh.
This airstrip, located in Peeru village, Jalalabad tehsil, is the first in India that allows both day and night landings of fighter jets. It uses advanced lighting and navigation systems, including CAT II Instrument Landing System (ILS), to guide aircraft safely even in low visibility.
The Ganga Expressway, which is about 594 kilometres long, connects Meerut to Prayagraj. With 85% of construction completed, it will be officially opened to the public by November 2025. The Shahjahanpur airstrip is the fourth such military airstrip in Uttar Pradesh after those on the Agra-Lucknow, Purvanchal, and Bundelkhand Expressways. However, this is the first to support night operations.
The IAF’s exercise was conducted in two phases. Fighter jets, including the Rafale, Sukhoi-30 MKI, Mirage-2000, MiG-29, and Jaguar, along with transport aircraft like the C-130J Super Hercules, AN-32, and MI-17 V5 helicopters, participated in the drills.
These take-off and landing exercises tested the airstrip’s performance across the day and night. The main goal was to assess if the airstrip could serve as an alternative runway during war or emergencies. The strip is made with special materials to support the heavy weight of military aircraft and features reinforced pavement, approach lighting, and advanced systems for safe landing.
This exercise comes at a time when India is on high alert following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which killed 26 people. The IAF’s show of strength sends a clear message of preparedness and rapid response ability.
To ensure safety during the event, 250 CCTV cameras were placed along the airstrip. Over 500 schoolchildren, public officials, and VIPs watched the event live.
Officials believe this project will boost both national security and state development, making the Ganga Expressway a key route for defence, transport, and economic growth.
