Civilians Killed in Jet Crash
At least 3 civilians were killed after an Indian Air Force fighter jet (MiG-21) crashed in Rajasthan on Monday. The pilot managed to survive the crash and escaped with minor injuries by using a parachute. The MiG-21 had taken off from Suratgarh Air Force station, but the pilot reported a technical snag soon after takeoff. He tried to prevent human casualties and crash-landed the aircraft on the outskirts of the village.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of Indian military aircraft, particularly the aging MiG-21. This is not the first accident involving a MiG-21; in fact, the plane has been dubbed the “flying coffin” due to its frequent crashes. The Russian-made MiG-21 has been in service with the Indian Air Force since the 1960s and has been the backbone of the country’s air force. However, numerous crashes over the past few decades have led to calls for the planes to be retired.
Last week, an Indian-made army helicopter with three people on board crashed in the Jammu and Kashmir region, further highlighting the safety concerns. Last year, two pilots were killed after a MiG-21 crashed during a training in Rajasthan as well. That incident was the sixth MiG-21 crash since January 2021, which killed five pilots.
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India has been investing heavily in modernizing its military and diversifying its defense sources away from Russia. The Indian Air Force has purchased dozens of French Rafale fighter jets, and the country has been developing its own defense industry. In February, India opened its largest helicopter manufacturing plant, and it recently unveiled its first domestically built aircraft carrier and test-fired a ballistic missile from its first domestic nuclear-powered submarine.
However, India’s attempts to diversify its defense sources have not prevented accidents, and the country’s military must address the ongoing safety concerns. The crash in Rajasthan highlights the urgent need for India to retire its aging MiG-21s and invest in new, more advanced aircraft to ensure the safety of its pilots and civilians.
