Latest news with #SU-30MKI
Time of India
7 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Shehbaz Sharif admits Pakistan caught unawares by Brahmos missile
Shehbaz Sharif on Brahmos Missile: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif admitted that the Pakistan Army was caught off guard by India's Brahmos missile strikes on May 9-10, which included the Rawalpindi airport. Sharif revealed that Pakistan had planned a retaliatory attack, but India preempted it with the Brahmos strikes across multiple provinces. The strikes damaged the northern air command-control network at Nur Khan airbase. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads ( Originally published on May 29, 2025 ) Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif , notwithstanding his earlier claims of a military "victory" against India, on Thursday suddenly admitted that the Pakistan Army was "caught unawares" on the intervening night of May 9-10 when India used Brahmos missiles to strike, including the airport in who was speaking at an event in Azerbaijan, said Pakistan planned to attack India on May 10 after the morning prayers. Before Pakistan could act, India's long-range supersonic Brahmos cruise missiles hit multiple targets in Pakistan, across several provinces, Sharif admitted. Sharif said he was informed of the early morning attack by Gen Asim Munir, who has now been promoted to the rank of Field Marshal."Our armed forces were prepared to act at 4.30 in the morning (May 10) after the Fajr prayers to teach a lesson. But before that hour even arrived, India once again launched a missile attack using Brahmos, targeting various provinces of Pakistan, including the airport in Rawalpindi."It is unclear why Sharif admitted a failure during a foreign trip and that too in the presence of Munir. In the past, moves by his elder brother Nawaz Sharif to mend fences with India as the PM was followed by the Pak Army launching attacks on India. On May 10, SU-30MKI launched Brahmos missiles, damaging the northern air command-control network at Nur Khan airbase, Chaklala, Khan is not only the home to the air refuelling capability that kept Pakistani fighter jets in the air, but it is also near the headquarters of Pakistan's Strategic Plans Division, which oversees and protects the country's nuclear arsenal.
Time of India
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Shehbaz Sharif admits Pakistan caught unawares by Brahmos
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif , notwithstanding his earlier claims of a military "victory" against India, on Thursday suddenly admitted that the Pakistan Army was "caught unawares" on the intervening night of May 9-10 when India used Brahmos missiles to strike, including the airport in Rawalpindi. Sharif, who was speaking at an event in Azerbaijan, said Pakistan planned to attack India on May 10 after the morning prayers. Before Pakistan could act, India's long-range supersonic Brahmos cruise missiles hit multiple targets in Pakistan, across several provinces, Sharif admitted. Sharif said he was informed of the early morning attack by Gen Asim Munir, who has now been promoted to the rank of Field Marshal. "Our armed forces were prepared to act at 4.30 in the morning (May 10) after the Fajr prayers to teach a lesson. But before that hour even arrived, India once again launched a missile attack using Brahmos, targeting various provinces of Pakistan, including the airport in Rawalpindi." It is unclear why Sharif admitted a failure during a foreign trip and that too in the presence of Munir. In the past, moves by his elder brother Nawaz Sharif to mend fences with India as the PM was followed by the Pak Army launching attacks on India. On May 10, SU-30MKI launched Brahmos missiles, damaging the northern air command-control network at Nur Khan airbase, Chaklala, Rawalpindi. Nur Khan is not only the home to the air refuelling capability that kept Pakistani fighter jets in the air, but it is also near the headquarters of Pakistan's Strategic Plans Division, which oversees and protects the country's nuclear arsenal.
India.com
16-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Pakistan Deputy PM Draws Flak After Citing Fake Image To Praise PAF In Parliament
Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has come under widespread criticism for citing a fake newspaper image praising Pakistan, circulated over social media platforms, falsely claiming it to be from the UK-based paper The Daily Telegraph. Ishar Dar referred to the fake image describing Pakistan Airforce (PAF) as the 'undisputed king of the skies', during his speech in the Parliament session on Thursday. Dar, while praising the PAF for its success, stated 'The Telegraph newspaper writes, 'Pakistan Airforce is the undisputed king of the skies.' Alhamdulillah,' prompting thumping praise from the parliamentarians. However, many were quick to realise that Dar had cited and quoted a fake image, which had nothing to do with The Daily Telegraph. The fake picture, which is AI-generated, was shared across many social media platforms, and many Pakistani journalists had shared it, praising what they though was part of the global recognition of the country's PAF in its defence and counter-attack capabilities. However, it was revealed later that the picture was fake. It is pertinent to note that since the India-Pakistan tensions escalated and both sides carried out major attacks against each other, social media was flooded with many images, news and claims, all of which later turned out to be fake. Though Dar has been called out for his mistake during his speech in Parliament, no clarification has been issued by him yet. It would not be wrong to maintain that during the recent conflict between Pakistan and India, Islamabad has relied on social media posts as 'proof' to back many of its claims, including that of shooting down at least 5 Indian fighter jets, which now, have increased to six. Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif was called out by many, after he relied on unverified social media posts to claim that at least five Indian jets were shot down. When asked by a CNN news anchor about the proof of the claims, Asif said 'the proof is all over social media'. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during his speech at PAF airbase Kamra on Thursday, claimed that at least six Indian fighter jets were shot down by Pakistan. This includes 3 Rafales, 1 SU-30MKI, 1 Mirage 2000, and 1 MIF-29. However, this also remains a claim that needs proof to back it, something that is yet to be brought to public knowledge.
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First Post
03-05-2025
- General
- First Post
When fighter jets land and take off from India's highways it's not just 'show' of strength
The IAF's historic 'land and go' on the Ganga Expressway marks a milestone, but also reveals key challenges in highway-based operations read more A fighter plane takes off after touching down as Indian Air Force conducts trial on the airstrip of the under-construction Ganga Expressway in Shahjahanpur on May 2, 2025. PTI In a groundbreaking military manoeuvre, the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Friday successfully executed a high-profile 'land and go' operation on a section of the Ganga Expressway in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh. The 3.5-kilometre stretch served as the makeshift runway for this landmark event, which, for the first time in India's defence aviation history, enabled fighter jet landings during both daylight and nighttime conditions. The exercise showcased an impressive array of IAF aircraft. These included top-of-the-line fighter jets like the Rafale, SU-30 MKI, Mirage-2000, MiG-29, and Jaguar. In addition, transport and support aircraft such as the C-130J Super Hercules, AN-32 and the MI-17 V5 helicopter were also part of the operation. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD According to PTI, the temporary airstrip had been outfitted with a Category II Instrument Landing System (ILS). This advanced technology allows for low-visibility landings, effectively ensuring the strip's availability for continuous, 24-hour operations. Prior to this, such operations were confined to the Agra-Lucknow and Purvanchal expressways and were limited strictly to daytime execution with no precedent for conducting them after dark. The Shahjahanpur drill marks a significant leap forward in India's readiness for flexible air operations in varied conditions. The Ganga Expressway changes that paradigm by introducing night-landing capability expanding India's military readiness. The airstrip is part of a broader strategy to develop Emergency Landing Facilities (ELFs) on national highways to serve as contingency bases during conflict or disaster. Rise of dual-use infrastructure in modern warfare As war becomes more unbalanced and high-tech, it is very important for a country to keep its air operations going, even if regular airbases are damaged. India has recently made progress in turning parts of its highways into ELFs for fighter planes. This shows a big change in strategy. Uttar Pradesh now has four working highway airstrips. Now, the focus has shifted from asking whether fighter jets can land on roads to how well this infrastructure can be part of the national defence system. Military airbases and highway runways are built for different reasons and have very different designs. Knowing these differences is not just about theory—it matters in real-life military use. This is especially true for India, which shares borders with two nuclear-armed countries that have strong air and missile forces. Surface quality and strength Military airfields are made using strong concrete or specially treated asphalt. These surfaces are built to handle the heavy weight and strong pressure of fighter jets taking off and landing again and again. They have grooves to help drain water, special coatings to stop rubber from building up from aircraft tyres and are regularly maintained to meet strict military standards. On the other hand, highways—even modern ones like the Ganga Expressway—are mainly built for vehicles. Although the airstrip in Shahjahanpur has been strengthened to support aircraft, it still does not have the special surface layers that regular military runways have. According to a News18 report, this makes it risky for jets as there is a higher chance of skidding, hydroplaning (sliding on water) or tyre damage during high-speed landings or takeoffs. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Runway dimensions Another big difference is the size of the runway. Military runways are carefully planned to match the needs of aircraft like the Rafale or Mirage-2000. This includes space for speeding up, slowing down and keeping enough distance for the wings. Even though this airstrip is good for Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) aircraft like the Rafale or Mirage-2000, the limited space on highways can be challenging. This is especially true during emergency situations. Fighter pilots will have to adjust to working in trying conditions, which do not have the wide safety margins that normal airbases offer. Obstruction management Handling obstacles is another area where highway airstrips are not as good as regular military airbases. Military airbases are built in protected areas where there are strict rules about how tall nearby buildings or structures can be and how close they can be to the runway. But highways are located in regular civilian areas may often be surrounded by power lines, trees and buildings. These can make it harder for aircraft to take off or land safely. For example, the Shahjahanpur airstrip on the Ganga Expressway needs constant and careful coordination with local authorities to manage the nearby infrastructure. Because of these issues, pilots may face more challenges and intense and careful practice is paramount. Operational support infrastructure Military airbases are like mini cities for aircraft. They have everything in place—air traffic control (ATC) towers, navigation equipment, fuel storage, repair hangars and emergency services. In contrast, highway airstrips rely on mobile or temporary setups. To run even one fighter jet mission from a highway, mobile ATC units, portable lights, fuel trucks and maintenance crews must be brought in ahead of time. This makes things more complicated and takes more time to prepare. Fortified bases vs open roads Security is a very important difference between military airbases and highway airstrips. Military airfields are heavily protected with limited access, round-the-clock surveillance and quick-response teams. Highways, however, are public roads. Turning them into airstrips means stopping regular traffic, blocking entry points and setting up strong security measures—which takes a lot of planning and effort. Even during planned exercises, like in 2017 when six IAF jets including Mirage-2000s and Sukhoi-30MKIs landed on the Agra-Lucknow Expressway, the entire area had to be carefully secured and cleared of all civilians. These extra steps make highway-based air operations slower to start and more open to possible security risks. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD To improve safety, the designated area for such IAF operations on the Ganga Expressway has been fitted with over 250 CCTV cameras to provide constant monitoring and strong security, a PTI report said. Why these differences matter The difference between highway airstrips and full military airbases is not just about technical features—it has major strategic importance. In peacetime, these differences affect how often and how widely training can happen. In wartime, they can decide whether air operations can continue or whether they come to a stop. Highway-based ELFs are vital backups during war or natural disasters. Given that striking at airbases at the start of a war is a known military strategy, spreading out aircraft operations becomes strategically important. ELFs can be used to refuel, rearm and launch fighter jets helping India maintain control in the air even if main bases are damaged. Ganga Expressway redefines highway landings Uttar Pradesh's Ganga Expressway has set a new national benchmark by enabling night landings on a highway airstrip—a feat never before achieved in India. With a CAT II ILS system and reinforced pavement, the Shahjahanpur airstrip not only enables 24/7 operations but also expands the IAF's capacity for rapid response in both wartime and humanitarian crises. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath emphasised that this expressway is 'a runway for national security,' encapsulating the dual-use philosophy that modern defence planning demands. With expressways like Purvanchal, Bundelkhand and Agra-Lucknow already featuring operational strips, Uttar Pradesh's four-runway model stands as a template for national replication. Strategic redundancy The importance of these alternate landing sites becomes stark in light of the threat environment. China's terrain-hugging cruise missiles and Pakistan's precision-strike artillery could neutralise traditional airbases in early combat phases. In such scenarios, highway airstrips allow dispersed aerial assets to regroup, refuel and counterattack. By placing these ELFs near existing airbases, logistical response times are reduced and the operational loop remains intact. The integration of road-runways into India's military doctrine reflects the country's adaptation to the military realities of the time, especially when its principal rivals China and Pakistan have displayed highway landing capabilities. China began its highway landing drills as early as 1989 and executed one in Henan province in 2014, while Pakistan utilised its M-2 Motorway for such operations in 2000 and again in 2010 and 2019. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Civil-military synergy Beyond military use, these dual-use infrastructures enhance civil resilience. During natural disasters—floods, earthquakes or pandemics—these airstrips can facilitate the movement of supplies, medical personnel and evacuation flights. With 29 additional highway stretches identified for ELF development including those in Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan and Leh-Nyoma, the strategy is evidently being scaled nationally. Coordination between the IAF and the National Highway Authority of India ensures that the military's evolving needs are being embedded into civilian projects from the planning stage. Toward a resilient, mobile air power doctrine The operational and structural differences between highway and military airfields are substantial—ranging from surface treatment and airspace control to security and infrastructure. However, in an era where agility, survivability and adaptability define military success, highway-based airstrips offer a viable, albeit complex contingency platform. India's model, spearheaded by the developments in Uttar Pradesh, illustrates how civilian infrastructure can be woven into a national defence strategy. Why Ganga Expressway drill matters The timing of this IAF exercise assumes immense significance against the backdrop of heightened tension between India and Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed to 'identify, track and punish' perpetrators of the Pahalgam massacre and their backers. PM Modi's remarks set off a wave of speculation about India's response to the terrorist attack. Indian forces had carried out cross-LoC (Line of Control) surgical strike in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in 2016 after terrorists targeted a military base in Uri. Again, after the Pulwama terror attack in 2019, India conducted an aerial strike in Pakistan's Balakot in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The days after the Pahalgam terror attack has seen a series of punitive measures by India against Pakistan as preliminary probe by Indian security agencies uncovered links of the Pakistan Army's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) with the terrorists who targeted tourists, singling out them on the basis of their religious identities, in the popular meadows of Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan, rattled with India's response that included putting the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, has resorted to suspension of all bilateral treaties including the key Simla Agreement and repeated violation of ceasefire at the LoC as well as live-fire drills in the Arabian Sea. The Pakistani provocations have received 'proportionate' response from the Indian forces, officials have said. The two sides have closed their respective airspaces to one-another's flights. Several officials of the Pakistan government, including federal ministers, have given statements betraying their nervousness and anxiety over what they anticipate a military strike from the Indian side, targeting terror launchpads in the same fashion as seen after the Uri and Pulwama terror attacks. The IAF exercise on the Ganga Expressway under the prevailing circumstances is not clearly not just a 'show' of strength. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
The Print
02-05-2025
- General
- The Print
IAF holds landing drills on Ganga Expressway in UP's Shahjahanpur
Until now, similar emergency landing drills were carried out on the Lucknow-Agra and Purvanchal expressways, but those were limited to daytime operations. What sets this expressway stretch apart is its unique capability to facilitate both day and night landings of fighter jets, making it the first such airstrip in the country. Shahjahanpur, May 2 (PTI) The IAF on Friday commenced its much-anticipated 'land and go' drill on the 3.5-km stretch of the Ganga Expressway in Uttar Pradesh's Shahjahanpur district, marking a significant milestone in the country's defence preparedness. Locals and students from various schools were among those who flocked to the expressway to watch the awe-inspiring flight demonstrations. The trial involved a range of IAF aircraft, including Rafale, SU-30 MKI, Mirage-2000, MiG-29, Jaguar, C-130J Super Hercules, AN-32, and the MI-17 V5 helicopter. The exercises tested low fly-pasts, landings, and take-offs during both daylight and night-time conditions. Uttar Pradesh government officials believe the success of the drill will also demonstrate the expressway's potential to act as an alternate runway during emergencies, enhancing the Indian Air Force's (IAF) operational flexibility. Top defence and state officials were also present to oversee the proceedings. Once complete, the Ganga Expressway will become Uttar Pradesh's fourth expressway to host an emergency airstrip, and the first to allow night landings, paving the way for round-the-clock operational preparedness. Amid heavy security, over half-a-dozen fighter aircraft conducted flyover and landing simulations during the day. The fighter aircraft also conducted flyover and landing simulations at night. Superintendent of Police Rajesh Dwivedi told PTI that the airstrip located near Piru village in the Jalalabad region witnessed trial runs by advanced combat aircraft, including the C-130J Super Hercules, Jaguar, Sukhoi, MiG-29, and Rafale. The local police remained on alert as the fighter jets performed the simulations at night. The SP said Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inspected the airstrip measuring 3.5 km in length last Sunday. To ensure safety, 250 CCTV cameras have been installed along the stretch, enabling real-time monitoring and quick police response in case of any incident, the officer said. Dwivedi also said that around 40 km of the surrounding areas were secured with the help of personnel from the panchayati raj and animal husbandry departments, along with local police teams. They were stationed along the expressway to prevent animals from straying onto the road or the restricted zones. Night-time drills were scheduled between 7 pm and 10 pm, during which the Bareilly-Etawah route from Jalalabad to Madanpur remained closed. Travellers were advised to use alternative routes. BJP's district general secretary Anil Gupta said the new airstrip brings strategic advantage by offering proximity to the Pakistan border. 'In the event of an attack, fighter jets can take off from this expressway. This is a historic milestone for Shahjahanpur district,' he said. The principal of Gurukul Bird School, Pooja Yadav, told PTI that she brought her students to witness the fighter jets in action. It was a first-time experience for our students, who were also given information about the aircraft,' she said. Sharing her excitement, Kritika, a Class-10 student, said, 'It was a unique experience. I saw fighter planes like the Jaguar and Rafale for the first time. Watching them fly was thrilling.' In September 2021, the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet approved the construction of the Ganga Expressway between Meerut and Prayagraj. The estimated total cost of civil and construction work for the expressway project was Rs 36,230 crore at the time of its approval. The project under the public-private partnership model is running behind schedule. PTI COR/KIS CDN ARI This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
