Dibrugarh: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday witnessed a high-intensity aerial demonstration by the Indian Air Force (IAF) at the newly inaugurated Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) in Assam’s Dibrugarh district.
Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister inaugurated the 4.2-kilometre-long ELF at Moran during his day-long visit to the state. The facility is the first-of-its-kind in the Northeast region.
The aerial display, which lasted over 20 minutes, showcased precision take-offs and landings by frontline fighter jets and transport aircraft at the Moran Bypass stretch.
A Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft initiated the demonstration with a take-off, followed by a Rafale jet. The IAF’s An-32 transport aircraft, known for carrying cargo and personnel, executed a ‘touch-and-go’ manoeuvre.
Subsequently, formations comprising three Sukhoi-30 MKI jets and three Rafale fighters thundered across the Moran skyline. During the exercise, one Sukhoi-30 MKI and one Rafale from the formations landed at the facility, while the remaining aircraft carried out overshoot manoeuvres.
The indigenous Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) conducted Special Heli-Borne Operations (SHBO), deploying commandos onto the airstrip. Another group of ALHs demonstrated relief and medical evacuation drills at the site.
Earlier, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had stated that around 16 aircraft were participating in what he described as the first such elaborate operational exercise at an Emergency Landing Facility.
“The ELF is also a testament to talent of our engineers and workers who are working 24*7 to transform Assam’s infra. Our roads which were once barely motorable are today capable of hosting aircraft movements. This transformation is the power of your one vote,” CM Sarma said.
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Built at a cost of nearly Rs 100 crore, the ELF has been developed in coordination with the IAF to enable both military and civilian aircraft to land and take off during emergencies, according to an official statement.
