Air Force trainer plane crashes in Madhya Pradesh’s Shivpuri, both pilots safe

An IndianIndianIndian Air Force Mirage 2000 trainer aircraft crashed in Madhya Pradesh’s Shivpuri district during a routine training sortie on Thursday, an official statement said. Both pilots were safely ejected before the crash, and no casualties were reported in the incident.

According to initial reports, the aircraft is suspected to have suffered a technical malfunction, leading to the crash. A court of Inquiry has been ordered to determine the exact cause of the incident, the statement added.

The Mirage 2000, a multirole fighter aircraft, has been a crucial part of the Indian Air Force and has played a significant role in various operations, including the Balakot airstrikes in 2019. While the air force continues to modernise its fleet, concerns remain over the safety of ageing fighter jets and trainer aircraft.