Indian Air Force aircraft Tejas crashes in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer

12 March,2024 03:02 PM IST |  Jaipur  |  PTI

A light combat aircraft Tejas of Indian Air Force on Tuesday crashes near Jaisalmer in Rajasthan, the officials said

Locals gather after a Tejas aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed during an operational training sortie. Pic/PTI


A light combat aircraft Tejas of Indian Air Force (IAF) on Tuesday crashed near Jaisalmer in Rajasthan, the officials said, reported the PTI.

They said that the pilot rejected safely before the crash, as per the PTI.

"Tejas crashed in Jaisalmer during operational training sortie. IAF has ordered a court of inquiry in the crash," the officials said.

A Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA) of the Indian Air Force crashed near Jaisalmer in Rajasthan on Tuesday during an operational training sortie, the IAF said.

A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident, according to the PTI.

The news agency ANI shared video of the incident. In the visuals flames can be seen at the crash site. The ANI shared on its X, "Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas of the Indian Air Force crashed near Jaisalmer today during an operational training sortie. The pilot ejected safely. A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident."

"A Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas of the Indian Air Force crashed near Jaisalmer today during an operational training sortie. The pilot ejected safely," the IAF said in a brief statement.

Manufactured by state-run aerospace behemoth Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), the Tejas aircraft is a potent platform for air combat and offensive air support missions while reconnaissance and anti-ship operations are its secondary roles.

Tejas aircraft are set to be the mainstay of the IAF. It has already inducted nearly 40 Tejas of initial variants.

In February 2021, the defence ministry sealed a Rs 48,000 crore deal with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd for the procurement of 83 Tejas MK-1A jets for the IAF.

In November last, the ministry accorded an initial approval to procure an additional batch of 97 Tejas jets for the IAF.

(with PTI and ANI inputs)

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