Sukhoi, Mirage Fighter jets on training mission crash in Gwalior and Rajasthan, 1 pilot dead

New Delhi : Officials said on Saturday that two Indian Air Force fighter jets, a Sukhoi Su-30 and a Mirage 2000, crashed during a training exercise earlier today, killing one pilot. While one plane crashed in Morena, Madhya Pradesh, the other is thought to have crashed in Bharatpur, Rajasthan.

According to defence sources, the Sukhoi had two pilots and the Mirage had one. The Indian Air Force employs both aircraft on the front lines. The two Sukhoi pilots were able to eject and were taken to the hospital in a helicopter.

Two Indian Air Force fighter planes were involved in an accident near Gwalior this morning. The plane was on a routine operational flight training mission.

One of the three pilots involved died as a result of his injuries. An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the accident.

Both fighter jets took off from the Gwalior Air Force base, which has squadrons of both Russian-designed Sukhoi and French Mirage 2000 fighter jets.

Locals in Morena captured footage of the scene, which showed smouldering aircraft debris strewn on the ground.

According to defence sources, the Air Force has launched an investigation to determine whether a mid-air collision caused the crash.

“An IAF court of inquiry has been established to determine whether or not there was a mid-air collision. During the crash, the Su-30 had two pilots and the Mirage 2000 had one. Initial reports suggest two pilots are safe while an IAF chopper reaching the location of the third pilot soon,” sources said.

The Indian Air Force chief briefed Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on the crash of two planes, according to news agency PTI.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, stated in a tweet, “The news of the crash of the Air Force’s Sukhoi-30 and Mirage-2000 aircraft near Kolaras in Morena is heartbreaking. I have directed the local administration to work with the Air Force to expedite rescue and relief efforts. I pray to God that the planes’ pilots are safe.”