News Desk: In a significant military aviation exercise, Indian Army helicopters landed and took off from a designated stretch of National Highway-911 near Dantour in Rajasthan, close to the India-Pakistan border, turning the highway into a temporary landing zone.
The exercise was conducted to practise helicopter operations from alternative landing sites in situations where conventional airfields, military bases or helipads may not be available. According to reports, Rudra, Dhruv and Chetak helicopters participated in the drill, with pilots carrying out controlled landing and take-off procedures on the highway.
Highway used as temporary helipad
During the exercise, a marked portion of NH-911 was temporarily taken over for military aviation activity. Ground teams coordinated closely with the helicopter crews, while factors such as the road surface, wind, visibility and safety conditions were taken into consideration.
The drill was designed to familiarise Army aviation personnel with operating from non-conventional locations. Such training is intended to provide greater flexibility in emergencies or operational situations when established aviation infrastructure cannot be used.
Indian Army Rudra, Dhruv and Chetak helicopters practised landing and take-off from a stretch of NH-911 near Dantour in Rajasthan’s desert to test operations from alternative sites. https://t.co/D5MNhXWS3S pic.twitter.com/RbxIOQI7MQ
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) September 29, 2026
Dantour lies in Rajasthan’s western desert region, where long distances and relatively limited aviation infrastructure make alternative landing capabilities particularly relevant. The exercise therefore provided aircrews and ground personnel with practical experience of operating in a challenging desert environment.
Rudra, Dhruv and Chetak take part
The helicopters involved represented different elements of the Army Aviation fleet. The Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter, developed and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, is used for a range of military roles. Its armed variant, Rudra, is designed for missions including reconnaissance, escort and fire support. The Chetak is also manufactured in India under licence and has long been used by the armed forces for various support roles.
The exercise also demonstrated the importance of coordination between pilots and ground teams. Landing a helicopter on a highway requires careful assessment of the available surface, surrounding area, weather and safety conditions before the aircraft can approach, land and subsequently take off.
Exercise held on surgical-strikes anniversary
The drill also coincided with the 10th anniversary of the September 2016 surgical strikes, which were carried out by the Indian Army across the Line of Control following the Uri terrorist attack. Reports noted the timing of the exercise but did not indicate that the highway drill itself was a combat operation.
The exercise was primarily focused on training and operational preparedness, particularly the ability of Army aviation units to function from locations other than established airfields and helipads.
The use of NH-911 also highlights how strategically important road infrastructure can have applications beyond civilian transportation. Under controlled conditions and with necessary safety arrangements, selected highway stretches can provide alternative operating areas for military aircraft.
The Rajasthan exercise thus offered a practical demonstration of the Indian Army’s efforts to maintain mobility, flexibility and aircrew proficiency across difficult operational environments. For a short period, a section of NH-911 near Dantour was transformed from a normal highway into a controlled military aviation zone, where Army helicopters practised landing and take-off procedures close to India’s western border.
