Tejas fighter jet belonging to the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed during a routine training exercise on Monday, officials confirmed. The pilot managed to eject safely before the aircraft hit the ground and is reported to be in stable condition, avoiding serious injury.
Media reports indicate that the jet suffered a sudden technical malfunction while on a training sortie, resulting in a loss of control mid-air. Eyewitnesses and initial assessments suggest that the aircraft caught fire upon impact with the ground. The Indian Air Force has stated that a formal court of inquiry has been convened to investigate the incident and determine its exact cause. “The pilot ejected safely. An inquiry has been instituted to ascertain the cause of the accident,” the official release noted.
Defense analysts suggest that a technical fault may have triggered the crash, though authorities stress that conclusions will only be reached after a thorough investigation. The IAF’s investigative team is examining the wreckage, reviewing flight data, and interviewing relevant personnel to reconstruct the events leading to the accident.
The Tejas is a domestically developed light combat aircraft, designed and manufactured in India, and forms a critical part of the IAF’s ongoing modernization program. The aircraft features advanced avionics, weapons systems, and combat capabilities, making it a vital asset for a variety of defense operations. Its performance and reliability are key to India’s indigenous defense initiatives, and incidents like this are treated with utmost seriousness.
Further updates are expected as the inquiry progresses and investigators analyze technical and operational factors. Authorities are committed to understanding the precise reasons behind the crash to prevent similar incidents in the future and ensure the continued safety and effectiveness of India’s fighter fleet.
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