IAF Sukhoi, Mirage Fighter Jets Crash in Madhya Pradesh's Morena; 1 Pilot Dead

Two fighter jets of the Indian Air Force crashed in Madhya Pradesh's Morena on Saturday (January 28, 2023) morning. As per The IAF, 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. IAF officials have said that the details of the incident will be shared after the complete assessment of the incident is done. Two pilots ejected safely from the Sukhoi Su-30 MKI plane, while the Mirage pilot died in the crash.

"The IAF deeply regrets to inform that Wg Cdr Hanumanth Rao Sarathi suffered fatal injuries during the accident. All air warriors and the fraternity stand strongly with the bereaved family," said IAF. "One of the three pilots involved, sustained fatal injuries. An inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause of the accident" added Indian Air Force in its first official statement. 

#WATCH | Wreckage seen. A Sukhoi-30 and Mirage 2000 aircraft crashed near Morena, Madhya Pradesh. Search and rescue operations launched. The two aircraft had taken off from the Gwalior air base where an exercise was going on. pic.twitter.com/xqCJ2autOe — ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2023

"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.

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.

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. — Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) January 28, 2023

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.

"The news of the crash of Sukhoi-30 and Mirage-2000 aircraft of the Air Force near Kolaras in Morena is very sad," Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in a tweet said. "I have instructed the local administration to cooperate with the Air Force in quick rescue and relief work. I pray to God that the pilots of the planes are safe," he added.