IN PICTURE | Mirage, Hercules, Sukhoi aircrafts land on Lucknow-Agra Expressway for IAF touchdown exercise

Fighter and transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) today performed breathtaking touch-and-go landings on a stretch of the Lucknow-Agra Expressway here, showing that highways can be used as landing strips in case of an emergency.

Over a dozen IAF planes, including Mirage-2000 fighters and Sukhoi 30s, besides 35,000 kg C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, took part in the exercise near Bangarmau in the district, about 65 km from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. (Photo | PTI) 

IN PIC: A C-130J Hercules, an Indian Air Force transport aircraft, lands on the Agra-Lucknow highway in Unnao. (Photo | AP)

The top-of-the-line Sukhoi 30s and Mirage 2000s took off after touching down on the expressway, while the C-130J transport aircraft landed on it. (Photo | AP)

The exercise will test the readiness of the Air Force in situations like war, humanitarian assistance or disaster relief. (Photo | PTI)

Mirage-2000 fighters and Sukhoi-30 MKI -- which form the backbone of the IAF's fighter fleet -- have landed on the Yamuna Expressway in the past too, but it was for the first time that a transport aircraft landed on it. (Photo | PTI)

IN PIC: An Indian Air Force fighter jet practice lands on the Agra-Lucknow highway in Unnao. (Photo | PTI)

IN PIC: Spectators watch an Indian Air Force transport aircraft, a C-130J Hercules, lands on the Agra-Lucknow highway in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh. (Photo | PTI)