Russian Designed, Indian Piloted SU-30 MKI Jet Again Crashes Near Chinese Border

The Russian designed and Indian operated SU-30 MKI fighter jet which are the most advanced fighter jets in the Indian armoury has crashed. The SU-30 MKI crashed in a paddy field near Tezpur in Assam on Thursday evening, a defence spokesperson said. Both pilots of the aircraft ejected safely and have been rescued, defence spokesperson Lt Col Harsh Wardhan Pande said.

One of the pilots suffered injury in his leg, he said. The Su-30 MKI fighter jet was on a routine training mission when it crashed in the paddy field in the Milanpur area and burst into flames at around 8:30 pm, Lt Col Pande told PTI.

The crash caused no damage to public property, he added. Local people rushed the two pilots to the Army Base Hospital in Tezpur, he said.

Fire engines were rushed to the spot to bring the flames under control, the fire department said.  A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident, official sources said in Delhi.

The Russian build SU-30 MKI’s has quite a reputation for crashes. On 27 June 2018, a Su-30MKI crashed near Nashik, India, while doing pre-delivery trials before handing over to India Air Force. Both the test pilots safely ejected before the crash.

On 15 March 2017, a Su-30MKI crashed in Rajasthan’s Barmer district, injuring three villagers. Earlier on 23 May 2017, India’s top-notch fighter jet crashed approximately 60 km from Tezpur Air Force Station