Indian Air Force to convert Agra-Lucknow Expressway into India's first road runway: Reports

[OrionHunter]

There appear to be more than 40 airbases on that map; do we really expect the Indian Airforce to take out even half of them let alone all of them ?

Air Force? Have you factored in the missiles? When attacking an air base, for example, ballistic missiles can be used to damage runways beyond repair and destroy unprotected aircraft in the open. And India has more than thousand missiles for the job! We don't even need to employ aircraft for interdicting your airfields!

 

[tsinga]

There appear to be more than 40 airbases on that map; do we really expect the Indian Airforce to take out even half of them let alone all of them ?

The friend above got it right.

India is spending over $2 billion each year just on purchasing one type of Cruise Missiles.

And a second type is set to join next year.

There are over 500 CM's already in stock not counting BM's. Not even one plane has to cross the border to bomb an airbase.

 

[rockstarIN]

There appear to be more than 40 airbases on that map; do we really expect the Indian Airforce to take out even half of them let alone all of them ?

Logistic issues, suppose most of the air bases will not support all kind of air crafts specially F-16s. Thats is why all air forces need one front line jet which can be supported in all air bases. Even all 40 bases in your case!

 

[IND151]

Agra-Lucknow Expressway to become India’s first road runway for combat jets of IAF | idrw.org

 

[surya kiran]

India's first???
Can anyone please help me and tell if there is not road patch that is or can be used as a runway for fighter jets and have tried and tested that???

You, sir, have obviously not driven in India. We have test tracks for tanks, not runways for planes.

 

[Capt.Popeye]

Am not aware of A/N road systems all am saying is its better to have runway roads so AN won't be handicapped . May I know how you are so sure that attack of Airbase is less or NIL? Am sure by now lots of missiles aimed at A/N bases which is most important location to confront China . And am really hopeful of F35B placed in Andaman to deter Chinese aircrafts confronting our Navy fleet . Even thou we van dispatch jets from South with AN fleet we can confront PLAF and PLAN airwing most efficiently .While our Carrier jets taking care of PLAN .

Your idea is completely impractical in the A&N context. The Topography of those volcanic islands is unsuitable for this, its hard to find any road that runs straight for more than a kilometer in length. But it does not matter, there are already 4 Airfields operational there and likely another 2 to come up. More than adequate for the purpose.

 

[Optimos Prime IA]

Your idea is completely impractical in the A&N context. The Topography of those volcanic islands is unsuitable for this, its hard to find any road that runs straight for more than a kilometer in length. But it does not matter, there are already 4 Airfields operational there and likely another 2 to come up. More than adequate for the purpose.

Sir I already said am not aware if the condition of AN . But still considering risk of massive missile strikes don't we need Short takeoff vertical landing F35B ? Recent report suggested that Chinese are are getting closer to complete Short take off and vertical landing ac . Its clearly horn the string if islands there are working on. For sure these airstrips on these islands will be destroyed in few hours of war (in SCS) .So Chinese have understood the importance of these unique aircraft .Which can be used as deferent in case of any preemptive strike.

 

[Providence]

India's first???
Can anyone please help me and tell if there is not road patch that is or can be used as a runway for fighter jets and have tried and tested that???

Indian road sucks especially in that region. Almost developed arthritis due to a bus journey from Jaipur to agra.

 

[Arsalan]

You, sir, have obviously not driven in India. We have test tracks for tanks, not runways for planes.

hahahaah
well unfortunately i had never visited India,, but your remarks give me a good idea now

Really enjoyed your comments, test tracks for tanks
Situation was same here as well but our PM sahib love roads and highways so they have developed that segment at least! There is no doubt that Pakistan today have one of the best highways network in the region.

However i dont think that there wont a a single segment for this job in India,, i guess that was more due to lack of initiative and policy in this regard. Anyway, best of luck with this new project.

 

[Capt.Popeye]

Sir I already said am not aware if the condition of AN . But still considering risk of massive missile strikes don't we need Short takeoff vertical landing F35B ? Recent report suggested that Chinese are are getting closer to complete Short take off and vertical landing ac . Its clearly horn the string if islands there are working on. For sure these airstrips on these islands will be destroyed in few hours of war (in SCS) .So Chinese have understood the importance of these unique aircraft .Which can be used as deferent in case of any preemptive strike.

STOVL Aircraft have their benefits undoubtedly; and I am an unabashed admirer of the Harrier Jump-Jet. But there is another reality; the cost-effectiveness of STOVL a/c. That is really debatable, apart from that its really a class of aircraft that cannot be owned or operated in numbers, there simply is'nt a need to!
Always remember that the flexibility of Ops that these aircraft possess comes at a price: of payload and range.

Instead an aircraft like the Su-30 MKI has both range and payload benefits that work in its favor. Also consider a small and nimble aircraft like Tejas can operate better from Expressways and Highways if that is the concept that has caught your fancy. But on the other hand aircraft like the Jaguar and MiG-27 do not even need a prepared airstrip to operate from; so even that idea is fallacious.
The IA's Corps of Engineers can level and lay down an airstrip of slatted steel within hours anywhere on somewhat level un-forested ground, so what is the big deal with Highways being capable to operate aircraft?

Finally, India has huge physical and strategic depth where it matters and many airfields that can be made to work; so this idea of Highway use is quite meaningless.

 

[IND151]

STOVL Aircraft have their benefits undoubtedly; and I am an unabashed admirer of the Harrier Jump-Jet. But there is another reality; the cost-effectiveness of STOVL a/c. That is really debatable, apart from that its really a class of aircraft that cannot be owned or operated in numbers, there simply is'nt a need to!
Always remember that the flexibility of Ops that these aircraft possess comes at a price: of payload and range.

Instead an aircraft like the Su-30 MKI has both range and payload benefits that work in its favor. Also consider a small and nimble aircraft like Tejas can operate better from Expressways and Highways if that is the concept that has caught your fancy. But on the other hand aircraft like the Jaguar and MiG-27 do not even need a prepared airstrip to operate from; so even that idea is fallacious.
The IA's Corps of Engineers can level and lay down an airstrip of slatted steel within hours anywhere on somewhat level un-forested ground, so what is the big deal with Highways being capable to operate aircraft?

Finally, India has huge physical and strategic depth where it matters and many airfields that can be made to work; so this idea of Highway use is quite meaningless.

Not.......................

Such ability is never useless.

 

[Capt.Popeye]

Not.......................

Such ability is never useless.

Not very useful either.........

 

[surya kiran]

STOVL Aircraft have their benefits undoubtedly; and I am an unabashed admirer of the Harrier Jump-Jet. But there is another reality; the cost-effectiveness of STOVL a/c. That is really debatable, apart from that its really a class of aircraft that cannot be owned or operated in numbers, there simply is'nt a need to!
Always remember that the flexibility of Ops that these aircraft possess comes at a price: of payload and range.

Instead an aircraft like the Su-30 MKI has both range and payload benefits that work in its favor. Also consider a small and nimble aircraft like Tejas can operate better from Expressways and Highways if that is the concept that has caught your fancy. But on the other hand aircraft like the Jaguar and MiG-27 do not even need a prepared airstrip to operate from; so even that idea is fallacious.
The IA's Corps of Engineers can level and lay down an airstrip of slatted steel within hours anywhere on somewhat level un-forested ground, so what is the big deal with Highways being capable to operate aircraft?

Finally, India has huge physical and strategic depth where it matters and many airfields that can be made to work; so this idea of Highway use is quite meaningless.

VSTOL aircraft make sense if you need an expeditionary force, where the need is to provide support to ground forces, when they land and need to penetrate in, immediately. But, then its a different logistical exercise of figuring out, how are you going to fuel and arm these beauties in the thick of battle.

As my uncle says, its the logistics stupid.

 

[Capt.Popeye]

VSTOL aircraft make sense if you need an expeditionary force, where the need is to provide support to ground forces, when they land and need to penetrate in, immediately. But, then its a different logistical exercise of figuring out, how are you going to fuel and arm these beauties in the thick of battle.

As my uncle says, its the logistics stupid.

Of course that is true. In the present context; where the aero-space warfare segment is being increasing occupied by Missiles and such like; VSTOL/STOVL is an anachronism.
Lower down the ladder, Rotorcraft have already taken over from VSTOL/STOVL aircraft and at more favorable cost-benefit ratio. So these are becoming a bit of a luxury, really.

 

[IND151]

Not very useful either.........

How can you say this?

Surely IAF knows more than you and they have given Nod for this project....................