IAF Air Show on Purvanchal Expressway: Sukhoi, Mirage, Tejas, and Jaguar,

Indian Air Force Air Show on Purvanchal Expressway Today: Jets to Roar Over Sultanpur Airstrip

Fighter jets of the Indian Air Force will take to the skies over the Purvanchal Expressway in Uttar Pradesh today, April 22. The air show will take place on the airstrip built near Arwal Kiri Karwat village in Sultanpur district.

Nine fighter jets, Sukhoi, Mirage, Tejas, and Jaguar, have already arrived at the location for rehearsal. The jets will perform takeoffs and landings on the airstrip during the event.

When and How Long

The air show will run in two sessions, from 2 PM to 5 PM and again from 6 PM to 9 PM, making it a total of six hours. A 5-kilometer area around the airstrip has been sealed off for the event.

Change in Flight Direction This Time

According to the UP Expressway Industrial Development Authority (UPEDA), the jets will fly from east to west during this air show. In all previous exercises held here, the aircraft flew from west to east. This is the first time the direction has been changed.

Tuesday Rehearsal Draws Crowd

On Tuesday afternoon, nine Air Force jets landed on the airstrip and carried out practice runs for about an hour. The sound of the aircraft drew people out of their homes in nearby areas. The District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police were both present to watch the rehearsal.

Local authorities said the event holds strategic importance and will highlight the Indian Air Force's operational readiness.

Traffic Diverted on Expressway

With a 5-km stretch sealed around the airstrip, traffic on the Purvanchal Expressway will be diverted during the air show hours. Commuters are advised to plan their travel accordingly and follow updates from local traffic authorities.

Last Exercise Was in June 2023

A similar exercise was held on this airstrip in June 2023 and lasted four hours. Sukhoi and Mirage jets had performed touch-and-go maneuvers on the 3.2-km airstrip at that time. A 12-km stretch of the expressway was sealed for that exercise.

The Purvanchal Expressway was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and has since served as an emergency landing strip for the Indian Air Force.

IAF Air Shows: What They Showcase

Indian Air Force air shows serve multiple purposes beyond entertainment:

• Demonstrating capability – Aircraft and manoeuvres reflect the IAF's operational readiness. Formations flown at air shows require the same precision as combat operations.
• Public engagement – India's defence forces are largely unseen by civilians. Air shows build public awareness, pride, and support for defence institutions.
• Recruitment – Many IAF officers trace their decision to join the force to watching an air show in their youth.
• International diplomacy – When foreign aircraft participate, it signals the strength of defence partnerships.

IAF's Growing Fleet

The modern Indian Air Force operates one of the world's most diverse combat fleets, including the French-made Rafale, the Russian Sukhoi Su-30MKI (backbone of the force), the homegrown LCA Tejas, and the Mirage 2000 (proven in Kargil). The aerobatic team Surya Kiran, flying the BAE Hawk, typically headlines with precision formations and trails of coloured smoke — one of India's most compelling public spectacles.