MOSCOW – In February alone, the Indian Air Force (IAF) lost five aircraftwith one casualty. The largest casualty was recorded during the 28 JanuaryMi-17 chopper crash which killed all six persons on board.
A MiG-21 Bison belonging to the Indian Air Force crashed in Shobhasar KiDhani in Bikaner in the north Indian state of Rajasthan on Friday.
No casualties were sustained as the pilot managed to eject safely. This wasthe seventh fighter jet to have crashed since the beginning of 2019.[image: Indian Air Force officials show a section of an exploded AMRAAMmissile, said to be fired by Pakistan Air Force (PAF) F-16, during a jointpress conference of the Indian Air Force (IAF), Army and Navy in New Delhion February 28, 2019]In February alone, the Indian Air Force lost five aircraft. On 1 February,a Mirage 2000 crashed while on an acceptance sortie after being upgradedby state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
On 19 February, two Hawk aircraft of the Indian Air Force’s Surya Kiranaerobatic team crashed after hitting each other mid-air during a rehearsalfor the AeroIndia show.
One of the pilots was killed in the accident. On 27 February, a dayafter India’s aerial raid on alleged Jaish-e-Mohammed terror campsin Balakot, Pakistan, one MiG-21 Bison was downed during an aerial fightbetween Indian and Pakistani air forces.
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Although the pilot managed to eject, he was captured by Pakistanafter landing in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Wing Commander Varthamanwas returned to India two days later.
On 27 February, a Mi-17 chopper of the Indian Air Force crashed in Budgamin Jammu and Kashmir killing all six on board. Earlier on 28 January, anIndian Air Force Jaguar fighter aircraft crashed in Kushinagar in UttarPradesh.
The pilot managed to eject safely.
