An Indian Air Force (IAF) Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet disappeared from radar on Thursday during a sortie over the northeastern state of Assam, triggering an immediate search and rescue mission, according to Indian media reports.
The Air Force and India’s defence ministry have not yet confirmed whether the aircraft has crashed. However, the defence public relations officer in Guwahati said the jet lost radar contact at around 7pm while conducting a routine mission over Karbi Anglong district.
Some local reports cited by Indian media suggested that residents heard a loud explosion in the area, raising fears that the aircraft may have gone down. Officials said the pilot remains unaccounted for, and search teams have been deployed to locate the jet and determine what happened.
A similar incident occurred in June 2024 when another Sukhoi Su-30MKI went missing during a test flight in Nashik district of Maharashtra. The aircraft later crashed near Shirasgaon village in Nifad tehsil, although both the pilot and co-pilot managed to eject safely. The Indian Air Force said the crash happened due to a technical malfunction during flight testing after an overhaul. Pilot Wing Commander Bokil suffered minor injuries and was taken to the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited hospital for treatment.
The Sukhoi Su-30MKI is a two-seat, twin-engine multirole fighter designed by Russia’s Sukhoi and produced in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. It serves as the backbone of the Indian Air Force combat fleet.
With a range of about 3,000 kilometres and the ability to launch the BrahMos cruise missile, the aircraft plays a major role in India’s air-superiority and strike capabilities. The IAF currently operates around 270 Su-30MKI jets and plans to upgrade them under the “Super Sukhoi” modernisation programme, which includes AESA radar, improved avionics, advanced electronic warfare systems and enhanced weapons.
