Tejas Fighter Jet Crashes in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer, Pilot Escapes Unharmed
During a training sortie, an Indian Air Force Tejas aircraft crashed in the vicinity of a student hostel in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer. Fortunately, the pilot successfully ejected, and there have been no reported injuries on the ground.
Since its maiden test flight 23 years ago in 2001, this marks the first crash of the indigenous Tejas jet. The light combat aircraft, Tejas, was incorporated into the Indian Air Force in 2016.
The aircraft crashed in the vicinity of the student hostel situated near the Lakshmi Chand Sanwal Colony in Jaisalmer at approximately 2 pm. The Air Force confirmed that the pilot ejected safely and announced that an investigation into the incident has been initiated.
“The Indian Air Force reported that a Tejas aircraft encountered an accident in Jaisalmer today during an operational training sortie. Fortunately, the pilot ejected safely. A Court of Inquiry has been established to ascertain the accident’s cause,” stated the Indian Air Force on X.
Following the crash, the aircraft ignited, but the fire has since been extinguished. It remains uncertain if the plane was involved in the ongoing war games in Rajasthan.
An eyewitness stated, “I was in the vicinity when the incident occurred. The pilot ejected from the aircraft, and I observed a parachute deploying. Subsequently, the aircraft crashed onto the ground, accompanied by a loud explosion.”
In 2016, the No. 45 Squadron, renowned as the ‘Flying Daggers’, became the inaugural IAF unit to incorporate the Tejas. Subsequently, in 2020, the No. 18 Squadron became the second IAF unit to deploy the Tejas.
Currently, the Indian Air Force has 40 Tejas MK-1 aircraft in operation, with an additional order of 83 Tejas MK-1A fighters valued at over ₹46,000 crore. In November of the previous year, the Defence Acquisition Council granted preliminary approval for the acquisition of an extra 97 Tejas planes for the force.
The Indian Navy also operates a twin-seater variant of the aircraft.
