India Boosts Strategic Edge: PM Modi To Witness Fighter Jet Operations Near China Border

Assam: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a tour of Assam on Saturday. His visit is considered important towards strengthening the infrastructure in Northeast India. The Prime Minister will land at the Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) on Moran Bypass in Dibrugarh at around 10:30 am. This is the first center in Northeast India where arrangements have been made to land aircraft on the national highway.

What is Moran Emergency Landing Facility?

This ELF, developed in collaboration with the Indian Air Force, is designed for landing and takeoff of military and civil aircraft in emergency situations. This facility will prove to be very useful at the time of natural disaster, relief work or strategic need.

This strip, about 4.2 kilometers long, can handle fighter aircraft up to 40 tonnes and transport aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight of about 74 tonnes. It has been designed on the lines of other expressway airstrips.

Will PM Modi watch Air Force's air show?

According to officials, the Prime Minister will reach Chabua Air Force Base in Assam from New Delhi and from there will land on Moran ELF. During this time he will see the aerial display of about 16 aircraft of the Indian Air Force. This air show will include fighter jets, transport aircraft and helicopters.

Why is this facility strategically important?

China's border is about 300 kilometers away from Moran and Myanmar's border is about 200 kilometers away. In this respect, this place is considered very important from strategic point of view. Officials say it will serve as an alternative runway in emergency situations and strengthen military preparedness in the northeast.

Have such airstrips been built before also?

Even before this, airstrips have been prepared on expressways in the country. In November 2021, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the airstrip built on Purvanchal Expressway near Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh.

This new facility of Moran has also been developed on the same model. Enthusiasm is being seen among the local people regarding this project. During the trial run at the airstrip, a large number of people came to watch the landing and flight of the planes.