On Thursday, January 6, a Mirage 2000 fighter jet of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed during a routine training exercise near Shivpuri in Madhya Pradesh. Fortunately, both pilots aboard the aircraft ejected safely and were unharmed. The IAF has formed a committee to investigate the cause of the crash.

The IAF confirmed the incident on social media platform X, stating that the Mirage 2000 aircraft was conducting a regular training mission when it crashed near Shivpuri, close to Gwalior. The crash is believed to have been caused by a mechanical failure. Both pilots managed to eject safely from the aircraft before it crashed. An investigation into the accident has been initiated by the IAF.

The Mirage 2000, a twin-seat fighter jet, was manufactured by the French company Dassault Aviation. It first took flight in 1978 and was inducted into the French Air Force in 1984. Over 600 Mirage 2000 aircraft were produced, with 50% of them exported to eight countries, including India. The Mirage 2000 has been a key asset in the Indian Air Force, particularly for precision bombing missions.

The aircraft played a significant role during the Kargil War, where it was used to carry out precise bombing raids on enemy-held mountain peaks. In February 2019, the IAF used the Mirage 2000 to carry out airstrikes against a terrorist camp in Balakot, Pakistan, in retaliation for the Pulwama attack.

This incident marks the latest in a series of accidents involving IAF fighter jets. In September of the previous year, a MiG-29 fighter jet of the Indian Air Force crashed near Barmer in Rajasthan. The pilot survived the crash but sustained injuries. According to IAF sources, the MiG-29 was on a routine night-time training mission when the accident occurred, and a mechanical fault was suspected to be the cause.

Earlier in June 2022, a Sukhoi-30MKI aircraft of the IAF crashed near Shirsgao village in Nasik, Maharashtra. In that incident, both the pilot and co-pilot managed to eject safely before the aircraft crashed. These accidents have raised concerns about the safety of the IAF's aging fleet, particularly older fighter jets like the MiG and Sukhoi series, which have been in service for several decades.

The Indian Air Force has continually worked to improve the safety and reliability of its aircraft through regular maintenance and upgrades. However, mechanical issues remain a significant concern, especially with older models. The IAF has also been working on modernizing its fleet by introducing new aircraft such as the Rafale fighter jets, which have already been deployed in several critical missions.

Despite these efforts, the recent accidents highlight the inherent risks of flying military aircraft, especially during training missions. The IAF continues to prioritize pilot safety and is committed to investigating each incident thoroughly to prevent future mishaps.

As investigations into the Mirage 2000 crash continue, the IAF will likely review its training procedures and maintenance protocols to ensure that such incidents do not recur. The crash serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by air forces around the world, as they balance the need for rigorous training with the safety of their personnel and equipment.