An Indian Air Force MiG-29 Fulcrum fighter jet crashed near Barmer during a night training mission, Indian media reported on Tuesday. Fortunately, the incident did not result in any material damage, and the pilot safely ejected.
According to the Ministry of Defense of India, the accident occurred due to a critical technical problem. Details are scarce, as Indian officials have not disclosed further information. "During a routine night training mission in the Barmer sector, an IAF MiG-29 encountered a critical technical problem, forcing the pilot to eject. The pilot is safe, and no casualties have been reported. An inquiry has been ordered," the Indian Air Force said.
India operates about 65 MiG-29s, split between the MiG-29UPG and the MiG-29K/KUB. Known for their agility and air combat capabilities, these jets are an integral part of India's air defense strategy.
India's journey with the MiG-29 began in 1986 when it became one of the first countries to acquire the Soviet aircraft. Initially, around 70 jets were ordered and delivered between 1986 and 1990. Over the years, these MiG-29s have been extensively modernized, evolving into the MiG-29UPG, which now meets contemporary air combat requirements.
In 2009, India expanded its MiG-29 fleet by ordering the MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB variants for its navy, designed for operations from the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya. These naval models entered service in 2010 and play an important role in naval defence.
MiG-29UPG jets of the Indian Air Force are primarily deployed at Adampur Air Force Station in Punjab and Jamnagar Air Force Station in Gujarat. These strategically positioned bases help protect India's airspace from potential threats from Pakistan and China. On the other hand, the MiG-29K and KUB are based at INS Hansa in Goa, working with INS Vikramaditya to enable the Indian Navy to project its power in the Indian Ocean.
This incident is not an isolated one. There have been several similar crashes involving MiG-29s in India, particularly within the Indian Navy, which operates the MiG-29K variant. Over the past few years, the Navy has reported several incidents indicating ongoing technical challenges with the aircraft.
In October 2022, another MiG-29K crashed in the Arabian Sea during a routine flight after experiencing a technical malfunction. The pilot ejected successfully and was later rescued. This was the fifth crash involving a MiG-29K in four years. Investigations usually follow such incidents, in which a board of inquiry is set up to determine the causes. Previous investigations into similar accidents have highlighted technical problems inherent in the MiG-29K fleet, sparking debate about the long-term viability of the aircraft in the Navy.
Notably, in November 2020, another MiG-29K went down off the coast of Goa, with investigations suggesting engine failure was a contributing factor. Similarly, in 2019, a twin-seat MiG-29K crashed during a training exercise, with both pilots ejecting successfully.
In November 2020, a MiG-29K crashed near Goa, highlighting the critical engine problems that have plagued the aircraft since it entered service. There are growing concerns about engine reliability and failure. The Indian Navy reported several incidents where MiG-29Ks suffered engine problems, resulting in emergency landings with only one working engine. An audit indicated that about 40 of the 65 engines ordered from Russia had to be rejected or removed due to technical faults.
The crash continued a worrying trend for the MiG-29K, which was criticized for design flaws, low availability rates, and a number of operational problems, including engine failure, airframe problems, and a problematic flyby-wire system. faced with Frustrated by these persistent problems, the Indian Navy has been advocating design improvements and modifications to address these issues.
Engine failure is common not only in combat aviation but also in civil and commercial aviation. Just last week, a Boeing 777X commercial airliner was grounded in Kona, Hawaii, due to a crack in an engine mounting component on one of the series' test aircraft, as reported by Aerospace Industry. is
