In a recent incident, an Indian Air Force Tejas aircraft crashed during a training sortie in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, marking the first crash of the indigenous jet since its maiden test flight 23 years ago. The incident occurred around 2 pm when the aircraft went down in the compound of a student hostel near Lakshmi Chand Sanwal Colony. Fortunately, the pilot ejected safely, and there are no reported injuries on the ground.
The Tejas, a light combat aircraft, was inducted into the Indian Air Force in 2016. The Air Force promptly initiated a probe into the crash, and a Court of Inquiry has been constituted to determine the cause of the accident. This marks a significant incident for the Tejas, which has been a key component of the Indian Air Force’s modernization efforts.
The crash site, located near the student hostel, raises concerns about the proximity of such training sorties to civilian areas. The incident underscores the importance of thorough investigations to ensure the safety and reliability of military aircraft. As the Tejas has been a symbol of India’s efforts in indigenous defense manufacturing, the outcome of the inquiry will be closely watched by defense experts and enthusiasts alike.
