The Indian Air Force lost two fighter jets in a dawn crash in Madhya Pradesh’s Morena on January 28, 2023. According to reports, the incident occurred as Sukhoi Su-30MKI and Mirage 2000 fighter jets were conducting an exercise nearby. Both aircraft took off from the air base in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, according to the information that was available. The accident’s exact cause is still unknown. IAF officials have stated that details about the incident will be released following a thorough investigation.
The planes wreckage has been located, according to the most recent bulletin. Operations for search and rescue have begun. Three pilots were involved, and one of them suffered fatal injuries.
In its first official statement, the Indian Air Force states that an investigation has been ordered to ascertain the accident’s cause.
“The morning saw the departure from Gwalior of two jets, the Mirage and the Sukhoi. According to the IAF, one aircraft had two pilots, while the other had one; two were successfully recovered, while the remains of a third were discovered. Several jet parts were discovered in Bharatpur (Raj), and information is being gathered “says MP SP Morena.
Two fighter aircraft of IAF were involved in an accident near Gwalior today morning. The aircraft were on routine operational flying training mission.
One of the three pilots involved, sustained fatal injuries. An inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause of the accident.— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) January 28, 2023
“Around 10:15 am, information regarding a jet disaster was received. It was discovered to be an IAF fighter plane after arriving here. We are unable to determine whether it is a fighter plane or a conventional plane based just on the debris. It is unknown if the pilots left or remain inside “Bharatpur DSP spoke.
An IAF court of inquiry will be opened to determine whether or not there was a mid-air collision.
During the crash, the Su-30 had two pilots while the Mirage 2000 only had one. According to preliminary reports, two pilots are safe, and an IAF helicopter is on its way to the position of the third pilot, Defence Sources told.
The sources added that Rajnath Singh, the defence minister, is in contact with the heads of the IAF, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari and CDS Gen Anil Chauhan, to learn more about the disaster.
For the Indian Air Force, the Sukhoi Design Bureau and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) collaboratively developed the Sukhoi Su-30MKI, a multirole combat fighter aircraft. As opposed to the Rafale fighter jets, the Mirage 2000 was created by French aviation company Dassault.