New Delhi, March 19: The Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted operations on an Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) airstrip located on National Highway 16 near Addanki in Bapatla district, Andhra Pradesh.
According to a Ministry of Defence (MoD) official, on March 18, 2024, Su-30 and Hawk fighters successfully performed overshoots during the activation, while An-32 and Dornier transport aircraft landed and took off from the strip.
The MoD highlighted that the activation demonstrated the effective coordination between civil agencies such as the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), district administration, state police, and the IAF in conducting multifaceted activities. This activation follows a similar event held on December 29, 2022.
The airstrip, measuring 4.1 km in length and 33 meters in width, was constructed by the NHAI based on specifications provided by the IAF. While other airstrips are already operational across the country, this ELF in Andhra Pradesh has recently become operational in peninsular India.
ELF highway airstrips play a crucial role in enhancing the flexibility of air operations during emergencies and serve as vital assets during Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations in remote areas.
The IAF and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways are collaborating to establish ELFs at suitable locations, the MoD stated.
