2 Air Force pilots killed in Sukhoi Su-30 crash in Assam

NEW DELHI, Mar 6: Two Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots - Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar - were killed after a Su-30MKI fighter jet crashed in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district during a training mission.

Confirming the deaths, the IAF said both officers sustained fatal injuries in the crash.

“The IAF acknowledges the loss of Sqn Ldr Anuj and Flt Lt Purvesh Duragkar, who sustained fatal injuries in the Su-30 crash. All personnel of the IAF express sincere condolences and stand firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief,” the Indian Air Force said in a statement.

The Sukhoi-30MKI aircraft had taken off from the Jorhat airbase on Thursday evening before losing contact with ground control. Defence officials earlier said communication with the Russian-origin fighter jet was lost at around 7.42 pm.

"An IAF Su-30 MKI is reported overdue. The aircraft had taken off from Jorhat, Assam and was last in contact at 7.42 pm. Further details are being ascertained. Search and Rescue mission has been initiated," said IAF.

The aircraft subsequently crashed in Karbi Anglong district, about 60 kilometres from Jorhat. Earlier reports had said the jet went missing shortly after take-off, prompting search and rescue operations to locate the aircraft and its two pilots.

Defence Acquisition Council clears proposal to buy 114 Rafale fighter jets

NEW DELHI, Feb 12: Defence Acquisition Council has cleared a proposal to buy 114 Rafale fighter ‌jets from France’s Dassault Aviation.

The clearance comes days before French President Emmanuel Macron’s scheduled visit to India for the Artificial Intelligence Summit.

Around 18 aircraft are likely to be acquired in fly-away condition to meet the Indian Air Force’s immediate operational requirements, while the remaining jets would be manufactured in India, according to an official.

Following the DAC’s clearance, Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will have to give the final approval.

The procurement would take the total Rafale fleet in the country to 176 aircraft, with the Indian Air Force already operating 36 Rafale jets and the Indian Navy having placed orders for 26 naval variants last year.