An incident unfolded on Tuesday near a residential area in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, as a Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA) belonging to the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed while returning from a tri-services military exercise in the Pokhran desert. This marks the first accident involving the indigenous single-engine jet since its inception in 2001, fortunately resulting in no casualties.
The pilot managed to eject safely, and an investigation, led by a court of inquiry, has been initiated to determine the cause of the mishap, as confirmed by the IAF in a concise statement.
The crash occurred approximately 100 kilometers away from the ongoing 'Bharat Shakti' war game, a mega exercise observed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and high-ranking military officials in the Pokhran desert.
During the war game, the Tejas aircraft, part of the IAF's No 18 squadron, showcased its operational capabilities alongside two other Tejas jets, flying in formation before the unfortunate incident took place. The aircraft was en route back to the Jaisalmer air base when the accident occurred.
Notably, the crashed Tejas MK I aircraft was a final operational clearance (FOC) variant, equipped with all necessary safety features. The Tejas project received its initial operational clearance in 2011, and it was formally inducted into the IAF in 2016.
Despite the pilot ejecting safely, dramatic footage captured the aircraft gliding at low altitude before erupting in flames upon impact with the ground. Thankfully, there were no reported human casualties, although a portion of a hostel building sustained damage.
Local authorities swiftly responded to the scene, with fire brigades containing the flames. The pilot received medical attention and was reported to be in stable condition.
The Tejas aircraft, manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), holds significance for the IAF, serving as a versatile platform for air combat, reconnaissance, and offensive air support missions.
Although the project faced scrutiny in the past due to technical issues, efforts to enhance its capabilities continued, culminating in the announcement of the final operational clearance (FOC) configuration in February 2019.
Looking ahead, the Tejas is poised to become a cornerstone of the IAF's fleet. In a significant development, the defense ministry recently finalized a deal worth Rs 48,000 crore with HAL for the procurement of 83 Tejas MK-1A jets. Moreover, plans are underway for an additional batch of 97 Tejas jets, indicating growing interest from various countries, including Nigeria, the Philippines, Argentina, and Egypt, in acquiring this advanced aircraft.
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