IAF activates ELF airstrip on NH 16 in Andhra Pradesh.

GNS ONLINE NEWS PORTAL 

SHYAM SOOD 

RAJOURI MARCH 19:— In a significant achievement the Indian Air Force activated an Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) airstrip constructed on National Highway 16 in Andhra Pradesh when IAF fighter & transport aircrafts carried out overshoots during the activation.
“On Monday the Indian Air Force fighter and transport aircraft carried out operations on an Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) airstrip on National Highway 16 near Addanki in Bapatla district. Su-30 and Hawk fighters successfully carried out overshoots during the activation, while An-32 and Dornier transport aircraft landed and subsequently took off from the strip,” said MoD.
The activation showcased the ‘high level of synergy and liaison’ between civil agencies, including National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), district administration, state police and the IAF towards the conduct of complex multifaceted activities.
The 4.1 km long and 33-meter-wide concrete airstrip has been constructed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) as per specifications provided by the IAF. While other airstrips are already operational in various parts of the country, this ELF in Andhra Pradesh has been recently operationalised in peninsular India.
“ELF highway airstrips enhance flexibility of air operations during contingencies and are invaluable assets during Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations in far flung areas,” said MoD.
IAF, with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) are working jointly for creation office ELFs at suitable locations.
Previously, an activation was conducted on 29 December 2022.