India’s Troubled Military Aviation Record: Over 600 Pilots Lost as Fighter Jet Crashes Continue

**Islamabad:** India’s military aviation history is marred by a long series of aircraft crashes attributed to professional negligence, technical failures, and operational shortcomings, resulting in the deaths of more than 600 pilots over the decades. From ageing Soviet-era MiG jets to the recently developed Tejas fighter aircraft, incidents of aircraft becoming “flying coffins” for pilots have raised serious concerns.

India’s Air Force fleet includes MiG-21, MiG-27, MiG-29, and the indigenous Tejas aircraft. The overall number of accidents involving Indian military aircraft reportedly exceeds one thousand, painting a grim picture of safety standards and operational reliability.

### **Tejas Fighter Jet Accidents**

The Tejas, developed indigenously in India after years of research and extensive funding, was formally inducted into the Indian Air Force only recently.

* **March 12, 2024:** The first Tejas crash occurred during a training exercise in Rajasthan. The pilot managed to eject safely, but the jet was completely destroyed.
* **Dubai Airshow 2025:** The second crash happened during an aerial display in Dubai, where the aircraft caught fire mid-air. The pilot was unable to eject and died at the scene.

Within one year, two Tejas jets — considered India’s flagship aviation achievement — have crashed, raising fresh questions about the aircraft’s reliability.

### **MiG Aircraft Crashes: A Long, Deadly History**

#### **MiG-21**

The MiG-21 has gained infamy for its high accident rate:

* Around **468 crashes** have been reported.
* Nearly **200 pilots** have died in MiG-21 incidents over the years.
* **May 3, 2002:** A MiG-21 crashed into a building in Jalandhar after engine failure, killing 8 civilians and injuring 17. The pilot had ejected moments earlier.
* **2018:** Another MiG-21 crashed in Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra region, leading to the pilot’s death.

#### **MiG-27**

Introduced in 1985, the MiG-27 fleet also suffered frequent technical failures:

* **February 16, 2010:** A MiG-27 crashed in Siliguri due to engine malfunction.
* **January 27, 2015:** Another MiG-27 went down near Rajasthan.
Persistent issues—engine failures, hydraulic problems, and malfunctioning ejection systems—led to the aircraft being retired from service on December 27, 2019.

#### **MiG-29**

Despite being more advanced, MiG-29 jets have also faced numerous accidents:

* At least **25 major crashes** since their induction in 1986.
* **May 8, 2020:** A MiG-29 crashed near Jalandhar; the pilot ejected safely.
* **September 2, 2024:** A MiG-21 crashed during a night training mission in Rajasthan; pilot survived.
* **November 4, 2024:** Another MiG-21 went down in Agra during routine flying; the pilot again managed to eject.

### **A Persistent Safety Challenge**

The MiG-21 in particular has been widely described as one of the most dangerous aircraft ever operated by the Indian Air Force. With the recent Tejas crashes, aviation analysts fear similar safety concerns could surface around India’s modern indigenous jets as well.

India’s aviation setbacks highlight long-standing challenges in maintenance protocols, pilot training, and aircraft modernization — issues that continue to spark debate across the region and beyond.