IAF’s Mirage Aircraft Crashes Near Gwalior, Both Pilots Injured but Safe
An Indian Air Force Mirage 2000 trainer aircraft crashed in Madhya Pradesh’s Shivpuri district near Gwalior during a routine training sortie on Thursday
Both pilots were safely ejected before the crash, and no casualties were reported in the incident though the pilots suffered some injuries.
Indian Air Force issued a statement confirming the crash. The statement read, “A Mirage 2000 aircraft of the IAF crashed near Shivpuri (Gwalior), during a routine training sortie today, after encountering a system malfunction. Both the pilots ejected safely. An enquiry has been ordered by the IAF, to ascertain the cause of the accident.”
According to initial reports, the aircraft is suspected to have suffered a technical malfunction, leading to the crash. A court of Inquiry has been ordered to determine the exact cause of the incident, the statement added.
The Mirage 2000, a multirole fighter aircraft, has been a crucial part of the Indian Air Force and has played a significant role in various operations, including the Balakot airstrikes in 2019. While the air force continues to modernise its fleet, concerns remain over the safety of ageing fighter jets and trainer aircraft.
Authorities have secured the crash site, and further investigation into the incident is underway.
Videos of the aftermath of the crash showed debris of the plane strewn in a field with hundreds of people gathered at the site.
Fire rages through wreckage of IAF Mirage 2000 fighter jet following crash in central India
— RT (@RT_com) February 6, 2025
Pilot miraculously survives, rushed to hospital pic.twitter.com/1b8WXEsAya
RISING CONCERNS OVER AIR FORCE AIRCRAFT’S SAFETY
A recent report by the Standing Committee on Defence has expressed concerns over the rising number of aircraft accidents involving the Air Force. According to the findings, a total of 34 accidents occurred during the 13th Defence Plan period (2017–2022).
The data showed that in 2017–18, there were eight accidents, which increased to 11 in 2018–19, the highest number during this timeframe. The following two years, 2019–20 and 2020–21, saw a decline, with only three accidents each year. However, the trend shifted again in 2021–22, with nine crashes reported.
The spike in accidents during 2018–19 and 2021–22 has drawn significant attention, particularly after several high-profile incidents. One such tragedy was the Mi-17V5 helicopter crash in December 2021, which resulted in the death of the then Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Bipin Rawat, along with others.
The report analyzed the causes of the 34 accidents, revealing that 19 were due to human error by aircrew, while nine were caused by technical malfunctions. The remaining incidents were attributed to factors such as bird strikes, foreign object damage, and sudden weather changes.
Among the notable accidents mentioned was the Mi-17V5 crash that claimed the lives of General Bipin Rawat and 12 others. Investigations determined that the crash was caused by an abrupt weather change, leading to spatial disorientation of the pilot and resulting in a Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT).
Incidents like the Mirage 2000 crash in Shivpuri have also raised questions about the modernization of the air force’s fleet. As the force continues to enhance its capabilities, maintaining aviation safety remains a top priority.
