1 pilot dead as 2 IAF fighter jets crash mid-air in MP’s Morena

A Sukhoi Su-30 and a Mirage 2000 fighter jet crashed midair near Madhya Pradesh’s Gwalior after takeoff from the Air Force base, the Indian Air Force stated on Saturday. Media reports suggest that while one of the planes is said to have ended up in Madhya Pradesh’s Morena, parts of the other were found about 100 km away in Rajasthan’s Bharatpur.

Taking to Twitter, the IAF on Saturday stated, “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.”

Media outlets report that while the Russian-origin Sukhoi 30 MKI was being operated by two pilots, the French-origin Mirage 2000 was flown by one.

Both the fighter jets had taken off from Gwalior Air Force base as part of an exercise, the IAF stated.

Media reports suggest that both pilots in the Sukhoi jet reportedly managed to eject and were transported to the hospital

One pilot is said to have died due to the crash, media outlets reported.

IAF chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari reportedly briefed Defence Minister Rajnath Singh soon after the crash, with the latter closely monitoring the developments of the crash.

Visuals, supposedly of the crash, have since also been circulated across social media.