Defense News

India

Indian Air Force (IAF) recently conducted trial runs of emergency landings for fighter jets and helicopters on a newly constructed 3.5-kilometer emergency landing facility in Anantnag, South Kashmir. The exercise, conducted during the night, aimed to assess the facility's readiness and effectiveness in handling various emergency situations.

The emergency landing facility, built at a cost of Rs 119 crore, is strategically positioned on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway at Bijbehara. It is intended to support operations during wartime, natural disasters, and other emergencies, including relief material air drops and transportation of stranded individuals. The completion of this facility marks a significant milestone in enhancing the region's emergency response capabilities.

Construction on the project began in 2020 and concluded in late 2023 under a joint initiative by the IAF and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. It falls under a program aimed at establishing Emergency Landing Facilities (ELFs) at various locations across the country.

Located along the busy Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, the emergency landing strip features essential amenities tailored for fighter aircraft. It includes designated parking slots for swift deployment, an air traffic control (ATC) tower for managing flights, and two entry gates on the highway for easy access and egress of aircraft.

During the trial runs, extensive security measures were implemented, including deployment of security forces, radars, and CCTV cameras. Traffic on the national highway was diverted to alternative routes between Wanpoh to Sangam to facilitate the exercises.

Various aircraft, including Sukhoi fighter jets and Chinook and Mi-17 helicopters, participated in the trial runs. The exercises demonstrated the precision and capability of these aircraft in utilizing the emergency landing facility, highlighting their readiness for emergencies.

Authorities suspended all traffic on the highway during the exercises to ensure safety. Additional security personnel were deployed to prevent unauthorized access to the landing facility, emphasizing the importance of safety measures during critical operations.