Mathura: In a first, an Indian Air Force (IAF) Mirage 2000 fighter plane successfully landed on Yamuna Expressway on Thursday morning.


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The landing of the Indian Air Force aircraft was a part of a trial exercise to check whether the national highway is feasible for landing in case of any emergency.


The aircraft landed at about 6:40 am, senior IAF officers said, adding that the force has plans to activate more such stretches on highways in the future.


The 165-km, six-lane freeway connecting Greater Noida with Agra is also crucial because of its proximity to the national capital.


The landing took place near the exit for Mathura, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address a rally on May 25 and kickoff his government's celebration to commemorate the completion of first year of NDA Government.


For today's trial, all facilities like make shift Air Traffic Control, safety services, rescue vehicles, bird clearance parties and other requirements were set in place by the IAF.


"The operation was conducted in coordination with District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police of Agra and Mathura," an IAF statement said.


IAF helicopters undertook several observation sorites before the jet landed. The aircraft first made a practice approach on the highway coming down to 100 metres before landing on the next approach.


Ministry of Defence spokesperson Sitanshu Kar tweeted the sequence of events leading to test landing of the plane.





The Mirage-2000 used in the trial run got airborne from a base in 'central India'.


IAF officials said such landings can be carried out in emergencies if an active airport is not available under certain circumstances.


The entire operation was carried out with active support from the Uttar Pradesh government, Yamuna Expressway Authority, toll authorities of JP Infratech and the police.


The Indian Air Force had last month received the first two upgraded Mirage-2000 aircrafts from France under a Rs 10,000 crore deal. Manufactured by Dassault Aviation, the Mirage-2000 is a single seater air defence and multi-role fighter of French origin powered by a single engine that can attain maximum speed of 2,495 km/hr (Mach 2.3). It carries two 30 mm integral cannons and two matra super 530D medium-range and two R-550 magic II close combat missiles.