A twin-seater Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed in the area near Sunari Chowki in Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh, during a routine training mission. In a fortunate turn of events, both pilots managed to eject safely and avoided any casualties.
Defence officials indicated that the aircraft experienced a system malfunction while in flight, prompting a swift emergency ejection by the pilots. Images from the crash site revealed debris from the aircraft engulfed in flames, with thick smoke billowing up from the wreckage.
The IAF addressed the incident in an official statement shared on the social media platform X. The statement confirmed, “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.”
In response to the crash, a Court of Inquiry has been established to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. This inquiry will focus on potential technical issues or mechanical failures that may have contributed to the crash. Additionally, it will review the aircraft’s maintenance logs, operational history, and the pre-flight checks conducted before the sortie.
This incident follows a similar occurrence that took place just months ago, when a MiG-29 fighter jet crashed near Agra, Uttar Pradesh, during a routine training flight in November 2024. In that instance as well, the pilot successfully ejected after facing a technical glitch.
The Mirage 2000 has been an integral asset of the IAF since the 1980s and has participated in several significant operations, including the Balakot airstrikes in 2019. It is renowned for its speed, agility, and precision strike capabilities, making it a crucial component of India’s air defense strategy.
Fortunately, there have been no reports of civilian casualties or damage to property in the vicinity of the crash. Local authorities and emergency response units promptly arrived at the site to secure the area and initiate firefighting efforts.
As the Court of Inquiry moves forward, further details are expected to emerge, providing insights into the factors that led to this incident.
