ASSAM: An Indian Air Force Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet crashed in India’s northeastern state of Assam during a routine training mission, officials confirmed on Friday.
According to the Indian Air Force (IAF), the aircraft went down in the Karbi Anglong district after losing contact with air traffic control. The twin-engine multirole fighter had taken off on Thursday evening from Jorhat Air Force Station.
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The Su-30MKI is one of the most advanced fighter aircraft in the IAF fleet. Developed by Russia’s Sukhoi design bureau and manufactured in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, the aircraft forms the backbone of India’s combat air capability.
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Officials said the jet departed from Jorhat Air Force Station, located roughly 297 kilometres northeast of Dispur, the capital of Assam. Shortly after take-off, contact with the aircraft was lost, prompting concern among authorities. The crash site was later identified in the hilly Karbi Anglong district.
Rescue and search teams were dispatched to the area to locate the aircraft and determine the fate of the two pilots on board. Authorities have not yet released information regarding their condition or whether they managed to eject before the crash.
The Indian Air Force said an investigation would be launched to determine the cause of the accident. Technical teams are expected to examine debris from the site as part of the inquiry.
Military aviation accidents involving fighter aircraft are rare but not unprecedented. The Su-30MKI fleet has previously faced occasional technical issues during training and testing missions.
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In June 2024, another Su-30MKI went missing during a test flight in Maharashtra’s Nashik district. The aircraft later crashed near Shirasgaon village in Nifad tehsil due to a reported technical malfunction.
Both the pilot and co-pilot in that incident managed to eject safely, although the pilot, Wing Commander Bokil, sustained minor injuries and was treated at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited hospital.