An event of considerable magnitude unfolded in Jaipur, where an aircraft from the Indian Air Force, known as the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, met with an untimely demise. This unfortunate incident took place in close proximity to the Laxmichand Sawal Colony of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, during a routine operational training sortie on Tuesday, as confirmed by IAF officials. Fortunately, the pilot executed a successful ejection before the crash occurred, ensuring his safety. Remarkably, no casualties have been reported thus far in connection with this mishap, marking the first instance of a Tejas jet being involved in such an event.
In response to the occurrence, a thorough investigation has been initiated to discern the underlying cause of the accident. A succinct statement issued by the IAF acknowledged the incident, stating, “A Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas of the Indian Air Force crashed near Jaisalmer today during an operational training sortie. The pilot ejected safely.”
During the time of the crash, both the pilot and co-pilot were aboard the Tejas aircraft. Upon receiving notification of the incident, firefighting units and military personnel promptly mobilized to the scene, endeavoring to contain and extinguish the ensuing blaze.
Notably, the crash site was located approximately 100 kilometers away from the Pokhran desert, where a large-scale military exercise, dubbed ‘Bharat Shakti,’ was being conducted under the observation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and high-ranking military officials. Witnesses described witnessing thick plumes of black smoke emanating from a solitary brick structure, the site of the aircraft’s impact.
The Tejas aircraft, manufactured by the state-owned aerospace conglomerate Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), serves as a formidable platform for air combat and offensive air support missions, with reconnaissance and anti-ship operations comprising its secondary roles.
The Tejas fleet is slated to become the cornerstone of the IAF’s aerial capabilities, with nearly 40 initial variants already inducted into service. In a significant development, the Ministry of Defence finalized a procurement contract worth Rs 48,000 crore with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd in February 2021 for the acquisition of 83 Tejas MK-1A jets for the IAF. Furthermore, in November of the previous year, the ministry granted preliminary approval for the acquisition of an additional batch of 97 Tejas jets for the Indian Air Force.