IAF Plane Crash: Initial reports suggest both the fighter jets of the Indian Air Force, the Sukhoi Su-30 MKI and Mirage 2000, were part of a training exercise when the incident occurred.
Two fighter jets of the Indian Air Force crashed in Madhya Pradesh’s Morena on Saturday (January 28, 2023) morning. Reports suggest that Sukhoi Su-30MKI and Mirage 2000 fighter jets were performing an exercise in the area when the incident happened. Based on the information available, both aircraft took off from the air base in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. However, the cause of the crash is not known yet. IAF officials have said that the details of the incident will be shared after the complete assessment of the incident is done.
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As per the latest update, the wreckage of the planes has been spotted. Search and rescue operations have been launched. “One of the three pilots involved, sustained fatal injuries. An inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause of the accident” says Indian Air Force in its first official statement.
“Two jets -Mirage & Sukhoi- took off from Gwalior in the morning…As per IAF, one aircraft had 2 pilots, while the other had one; 2 safely rescued, body parts of 3rd found. Some parts of the jet were found in Bharatpur (Raj), details being collected,” says SP Morena, MP.
“Received info about a plane crash around 10-10.15 am. After coming here, it was found it was an IAF fighter jet. Going by the debris, we’re unable to adjudge if it’s a fighter plane or a regular plane. Yet to know if pilots got out or are still in”, Bharatpur DSP told ANI.
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An IAF court of inquiry to establish whether there was a mid-air collision or not will be initiated. The Su-30 had 2 pilots while Mirage 2000 had one pilot during the crash. Initial reports suggest 2 pilots are safe while an IAF chopper is reaching the location of the 3rd pilot soon, revealed Defence Sources to ANI.
The sources further said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is in touch with CDS Gen Anil Chauhan and IAF chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari and he is gathering details on the crash from them.
The Sukhoi Su-30MKI is a multirole combat fighter aircraft jointly developed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force. The Mirage 2000, on the other hand, has been developed by French aviation giant Dassault, the maker of Rafale fighter jets.
