ISLAMABAD: An Indian Air Force aircraft crashed in Gwaliyar on Wednesday, according to local media.
Reports said both the pilots of the MiG-21 trainer aircraft including a group captain and a squadron leader, managed to eject safely in the crash which took place in the state of Madhya Pradesh.
Crashes involving fighter planes are not uncommon in India, which is in the midst of upgrading its Soviet-era military hardware.Most of the accidents involve the MiGs that India bought decades ago from the Soviet Union, earning it the unflattering “flying coffin” tag.
Last July, the pilot of an MiG-21 jet died after the fighter jet crashed in northern Himachal Pradesh state.
India is investing billions of dollars in modernizing its air force. New Delhi has signed a contract to purchase 36 Dassault Rafale fighters from France for $8.8 billion.
