A Jaguar fighter jet of the Indian Air Force has crashed in Gujarat's Jamnagar.
One pilot has ejected and a search is on for the other.
"While one pilot safely ejected before the crash, another one is still missing.
The aircraft caught fire after the crash. Police and firefighters have rushed to the spot and started searching for the missing pilot," news agency PTI quoted Superintendent of Police Premsukh Delu as saying.
Videos from the spot, in Suvarda village, 12 km from Jamnagar city, showed what appeared to be a field on fire with the cockpit of the crashed plane and its tail - which can be seen lying in different areas - also burning.
Indian Air Force (IAF) officials said the twin-seater Jaguar was on a routine training sortie.
The Jaguar is a twin-engine fighter bomber, with single and twin-seat variants, which is very widely used in the IAF. First inducted in the late 70s, it has been heavily upgraded over the years.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) continues to face a worrying trend of aircraft crashes, raising serious concerns among defense experts regarding operational readiness and safety standards.
Experts have strongly criticized the Modi government, blaming its policies for the rising number of air accidents.
On March 7, another Jaguar aircraft of the IAF crashed in Ambala after facing a system malfunction.
The pilot had manoeuvred the plane away from habitation and then ejected safely.
Frequent accidents reflect systemic failures
This is not an isolated incident. IAF crashes have become a recurring issue, raising concerns over the reliability of its aircraft fleet. Just last month, two IAF aircraft, including a Jaguar fighter jet, crashed on the same day.
Similarly, in November 2024, a MiG-29 fighter jet crashed near Agra, Uttar Pradesh, prompting experts to question whether aging aircraft or poor maintenance were to blame.
Experts slam government policies
Defense analysts argue that these accidents highlight not only technical inefficiencies but also the shortcomings of government policies.
One expert stated:
"These incidents raise serious questions about the Indian Air Force’s operational preparedness and safety standards. If such accidents continue, India could face significant challenges in the future."
Criticism has also been directed at the Modi government’s handling of defense affairs. Experts claim that despite bold claims of modernizing the military, little has been done to improve the IAF’s capabilities.
A defense analyst remarked:
"The Modi government’s promises are nothing more than rhetoric. In reality, no concrete efforts have been made to enhance the Indian Air Force’s strength and reliability."
Implications and future risks
The rising frequency of IAF aircraft crashes not only highlights the force’s declining efficiency but also raises concerns over regional security.