Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 31

The Indian Air Force (IAF), which is operating at its lowest strength of fighter jets, has lost six jets so far this year, including the one downed by Pakistan in the February 27 dogfight over Nowshera in Jammu and Kashmir.

A MiG-27 upgraded version jet, which had taken off from Uttarlai Air Force Station, crashed in Sirohi district near Jodhpur today. While the pilot ejected safely, a court of inquiry has been ordered. This is the second IAF jet to have crashed this month.

This means, the IAF is losing two jets every month and the new accretions, including the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, are just not enough to prevent the slide in numbers.

Crashes occur due to multiple reasons, one being the age of MiG-21 and MiG-27 jets, which the IAF is flying for want of newer options.

The IAF is now operating at its lowest strength of 31 fighter squadrons — around 16-18 planes in each. The Cabinet Committee on Security has mandated 42 squadrons for a simultaneous two-front war scenario with Pakistan and China.

Even the addition of 36 Rafale and 123 Tejas jets projected over the next eight years will not help the IAF stem the downward spiral.

Over the next four-five years, around 110 planes of MiG-21 and MiG-27 series are slated to retire.

The year began with a Jaguar jet crash in Uttar Pradesh’s Kushinagar district, in which the pilot ejected safely.

On February 1, two pilots were killed after a Mirage 2000 upgraded trainer version by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited crashed in Bengaluru. The plane was undergoing its acceptance trial by the IAF when both pilots ejected and one pilot crash-landed in the burning wreckage.

On February 12, a MiG-27 crashed near Pokhran range, while the pilot ejected safely.

Two weeks later, on February 27, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was shot over Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in the air duel.

On March 8, a MiG-21 crashed near Bikaner, but the pilot ejected safely.

In February, two Hawk trainer jets, part of the ‘Surya Kiran’ aerobatic team, had crashed mid-air, killing a pilot. Also, on February 27, a Mi-17 helicopter ‘crashed’ killing six persons, including two pilots. It is being investigated if the helicopter was ‘accidentally’ shot down.