On the 18th of March, 2024, the Indian Air Force carried out impressive operations on an Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) airstrip located on National Highway 16, close to Addanki in the Bapatla district. The activation witnessed the successful performance of Su-30 and Hawk fighters as they executed overshoots, while An-32 and Dornier transport aircraft landed and subsequently took off from the strip with ease. This activation was a testimony to the high level of coordination and collaboration between various civil agencies like the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the district administration, state police, and the IAF. The successful conduct of these complex multifaceted activities was possible due to the dedicated efforts of these agencies working in perfect harmony to achieve the desired outcome.
On December 29, 2022, an activation was conducted for a newly constructed concrete airstrip in Andhra Pradesh, India. The airstrip is 4.1 km long and 33 meters wide, and was built by the NHAI according to specifications provided by the IAF. Although there are other operational airstrips across the country, this particular one is the most recently activated in peninsular India.
ELF highway airstrips are a critical asset that can provide essential support during emergencies and natural disasters. These airstrips can be used to facilitate air operations in remote locations, where traditional airports are unavailable or inoperable. The Indian Air Force (IAF), in partnership with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), is actively working to establish ELF airstrips at strategic locations to enhance the flexibility of air operations during contingencies and to facilitate Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations. These ELF airstrips will be a valuable asset to the country’s air operations, as they will provide a reliable and efficient way to transport people and supplies to areas in need, even in the most challenging of circumstances.