New Delhi: An Indian Air Force (IAF) Sukhoi Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft crashed during a training mission in the Karbi Anglong area of Assam on Thursday, 60 kilometers from Jorhat.
The Air Force confirmed the incident late Thursday night. The aircraft had previously been reported missing.
Officials had said the aircraft lost radar contact after taking off from Jorhat, Assam, prompting a search operation. The Indian Air Force has now expressed condolences for the loss of its pilots.
What the Indian Air Force Said
The Indian Air Force expressed condolences, stating, “The IAF deeply mourns the loss of Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragar, who were seriously injured in the Su-30 aircraft crash.” All Indian Air Force personnel express their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and stand firmly with them in this hour of grief.
The Su-30MKI is a two-seat, long-range fighter aircraft developed by the Russian aircraft manufacturer Sukhoi.
It is now manufactured under license for the Indian Air Force by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
The Indian Air Force has a fleet of over 260 Su-30MKI aircraft, which have proven their mettle in numerous wars.
But the manner of the Su-30MKI’s crash has raised questions about its maintenance.The Sukhoi Su-30MKI, inducted into the Air Force in the early 2000s, is considered one of the most powerful fighter aircraft.
A Sukhoi-30MKI also crashed in 2019.
This is not the first time a Sukhoi aircraft has crashed. Sukhoi-30MKI aircraft have crashed before. In August 2019, a Sukhoi-30MKI crashed into a paddy field near Tezpur in Assam during a routine training mission. Both pilots managed to eject safely and were later rescued.
Earlier in May 2015, another Sukhoi-30MKI aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff, approximately 36 km south of Tezpur Air Force Base, with both pilots ejecting safely before the crash.
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