**Executive Summary**
The Indian Air Force (IAF), in coordination with UPEIDA and local civil administration, successfully activated the Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) on the Purvanchal Expressway in Uttar Pradesh on 22 April 2026. The exercise involved day and night operations by a diverse fleet of aircraft to validate Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for rapid emergency activation. This initiative enhances national security, operational flexibility, and disaster response capabilities by utilizing highway airstrips as alternatives to traditional runways.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Operational Execution**
* The activation took place in the Sultanpur District of Uttar Pradesh, featuring both day and night-time flight operations.
* The exercise demonstrated the versatility of the IAF fleet, including Jaguar, Mirage-2000, Sukhoi-30 MKI, C-295, and AN-32 aircraft.
* Support elements included Mi-17 V5 helicopters and the Garud Commando team to showcase comprehensive operational readiness.
**Strategic Objectives**
* Validation of SOPs: The exercise confirmed the ability of the IAF and civil authorities to activate ELFs within the shortest possible timeframe.
* Operational Resilience: The facility ensures the IAF can undertake unhindered operations even when standard runways are unavailable.
* Force Multiplication: Strategically developed expressway airstrips serve as critical force multipliers during national emergencies.
**Collaboration and Synergy**
* The operation relied on a collaborative framework between the IAF’s operational requirements and UPEIDA’s civil infrastructure management.
* Local civil administration provided essential support to optimize the operational viability of the highway airstrips.
* The synergy between these three organizations strengthens the nation's strategic posture and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) capabilities.
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian Air Force (IAF)**
**Impact**
The IAF gains significant operational flexibility and resilience, proving its ability to deploy aircrew and ground crew to non-standard landing sites at short notice.
**Action Required**
The IAF must continue to refine and validate SOPs for emergency activations and maintain the training levels of its aircrew for specialized expressway operations.
**UPEIDA**
**Impact**
As the civil infrastructure manager, UPEIDA’s expressways are now integrated into the national defense framework, serving a dual purpose for civil transit and military readiness.
**Action Required**
UPEIDA must ensure the continued maintenance and management of expressway infrastructure to meet the technical requirements of high-performance military aircraft.
**Local Civil Administration**
**Impact**
The administration is established as a key partner in national security operations, facilitating the coordination required to transition public infrastructure for military use.
**Action Required**
Local authorities must maintain the collaborative framework with the IAF and UPEIDA to ensure rapid response and support during future ELF activations or HADR emergencies.
Key Entities Referenced
Indian Air Force (IAF): The primary defense branch responsible for activating and validating the operational readiness of highway-based Emergency Landing Facilities.
Emergency Landing Facility (ELF): Strategically developed airstrips on national expressways designed to support unhindered aircraft operations during emergencies or when standard runways are unavailable.
Purvanchal Expressway, Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh: The specific highway location central to the activation and validation of the IAF's strategic landing capabilities and defense readiness.
UPEIDA (Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority): The state authority collaborating with the IAF for civil infrastructure management and the maintenance of expressway airstrips.
Ministry of Defence
EMERGENCY LANDING FACILITY (ELF)
ACTIVATION AT SULTANPUR ON PURVANCHAL
EXPRESSWAY
Posted On: 23 APR 2026 1:39PM by PIB Delhi
The Indian Air Force activated 'Emergency Landing Facility' (ELF) on the Purvanchal Expressway in
Uttar Pradesh's Sultanpur District on 22 Apr 26, both by day and night, showcasing its operational
capability to bolster its defence readiness. UP State Minister for Panchayati Raj and Minority Welfare Shri
Om Prakash Rajbhar, Air Mshl B Manikantan, AOC-in-C, CAC, and other officials were present to
witness the IAF aircraft undertake ELF operations.
The operational versatility of the Indian Air Force was demonstrated through the operations by
diverse fleet of aircraft, including Jaguar, Mirage-2000, Sukhoi-30 MKI, C-295 and AN-32, alongside Mi-
17 V5 helicopter and Garud Commando team. IAF along with UPEIDA and the local civil administration,
validated their Standard Operating Procedures for emergency activation of these ELFs, in the shortest
possible time frame both by day and by night.
This operation has majorly boosted IAF's capability to undertake unhindered operations even during
non-availability of standard runways, showcasing its operational resilience. It has demonstrated the
professional flying skills of its aircrew and the capability of its ground crew in activating such expressway
airstrips at a short notice. These strategically developed airstrips on national expressways substantially
augment operational flexibility and serve as critical force multiplier during emergencies, reinforcing
national security and disaster response capabilities.
The collaborative framework between the IAF's operational requirements with UPEIDA's civil
infrastructure management and support of the local civil administration, optimizes the operational viability
of such highway airstrips. The synergy displayed between the three organisations in the ELF activation,
not only strengthens the overall strategic posture of the nation but also enhance the HADR capabilities in
the region.***
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