IAF Crashes in the Last Decade: A Timeline of Major Accidents

An analysis of recent Indian Air Force crashes and historical incidents highlights ongoing safety concerns linked to ageing fleets and training missions, with emphasis on improving risk management and preventive maintenance across bases in India.

Two Indian Air Force pilots, Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar, died after a Sukhoi Su-30 MKI crashed in Assam's Karbi Anglong district. The fighter was on a night training mission, making the loss a fresh reminder of safety concerns around military aircraft operations across the country.

The Su-30 MKI had taken off from Jorhat airbase, around 60 km from the crash location, for a routine training sortie. Officials said contact with the Russian-origin jet stopped at 7:42 pm, shortly after take-off, and search teams later confirmed the fatal crash in the hilly area.

The latest Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft crash has once again drawn attention to the safety record of military aviation in India. Over the past decade, the IAF has witnessed a series of accidents involving fighter jets, trainers and helicopters during routine sorties, training missions and demonstrations.

Defence reports suggest that India lost over 100 military aircraft in roughly a decade, highlighting the risks associated with flying ageing fleets and conducting complex training operations.

Here is a look at some of the major IAF crashes in the past ten years.

2016-2018: Multiple Training Aircraft Accidents

Between 2016 and 2018, several training aircraft and helicopters crashed during routine sorties. Reports during this period noted that nearly 30 Indian military aircraft had crashed over a five-year span, many during training missions.

These incidents included crashes involving MiG-21 fighters, Jaguars and trainer aircraft, often linked to technical faults or operational stress on ageing aircraft fleets.

February 2019 - MiG-27 Crash in Rajasthan

In February 2019, a MiG-27 fighter jet crashed near Jodhpur in Rajasthan during a routine sortie. The pilot managed to eject safely. The aircraft belonged to the IAF's strike fleet and had taken off from Jodhpur Air Base before encountering technical issues.

February 2021 - Tejas Light Combat Aircraft Crash

India's indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) experienced a crash during a training sortie in 2021. The pilot successfully ejected and survived. It was the first recorded crash of the Tejas fighter before the later fatal accident in 2025.

The incident prompted an investigation but did not halt the broader Tejas induction programme.

March 2021 - MiG-21 Bison Crash

In March 2021, a MiG-21 Bison fighter jet crashed during a training mission, killing the pilot. The aircraft went down in central India shortly after takeoff.

The MiG-21 fleet has long been criticised due to its accident record, which eventually led to its retirement from service in 2025.

December 2021 - CDS Rawat Killed in Mi-17V5 Crash

Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat died in a Mi-17 V5 helicopter crash on December 8, 2021. A total of 12 people died in the crash, including General Rawat's wife, Madhulika Rawat. The helicopter crashed in the mountains near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu.

July 2022 - MiG-21 Crash in Rajasthan

In July 2022, another MiG-21 Bison crashed in Rajasthan, killing two pilots during a training sortie. The accident intensified debate over the continued use of the Soviet-era fighter, which had already earned a reputation as a high-risk aircraft due to frequent accidents.

January 2023 - Mid-Air Collision: Su-30 and Mirage 2000

One of the most dramatic accidents occurred in January 2023 when a Sukhoi Su-30 and a Mirage 2000 collided mid-air during a training exercise near Gwalior.

The two Su-30 pilots managed to eject safely, but the Mirage 2000 pilot was killed in the crash.

November 2025 - IAF Tejas Jet Crashes at Dubai Air Show

A Tejas fighter jet of the Indian Air Force crashed in the Dubai Air Show in UAE in November 2025. According to the Indian Air Force, pilot Wing Commander Namansh Syal was killed in the incident.