Jalore, Rajasthan - April 08 : In a significant development, the Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully conducted emergency landing exercises on a newly constructed highway in Rajasthan on Monday. Three fighter jets, Tejas, Jaguar, and Sukhoi-30, along with transport aircraft AN-32 and C-295, touched down on Bharatmala Project Highway 925A, showcasing the highway's potential as a vital wartime airstrip.
This 3-kilometer stretch of highway, built under the Bharatmala Project near the India-Pakistan border, was inaugurated in September 2021 by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari. Today's exercise marks a significant step forward in utilizing such infrastructure for national defense purposes.
The IAF strategically chose Tejas to be the first aircraft to land, highlighting its indigenous capabilities. The exercise also involved setting up a temporary Air Traffic Control (ATC) cabin to ensure smooth operations. During the C-295 transport aircraft's landing, a minor incident occurred when a stray bull wandered onto the airstrip. Garuda commandos, the elite special forces unit of the IAF, swiftly ensured the animal's safe removal without disrupting the exercise.
The successful landing of these aircraft paves the way for the IAF to utilize this highway as an alternative airstrip in emergency situations. This capability significantly enhances India's air defense preparedness along the western border. The exercise also highlights the successful collaboration between the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in developing critical infrastructure for national security.
