An Indian Air Force Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet went missing in Assam on Thursday evening after losing radar contact. The aircraft had taken off from Jorhat and was last in communication at 7.42 pm. Following the loss of contact, the Air Force launched a search and rescue operation to locate the jet and determine what happened.
In a statement posted on X, the Air Force said the aircraft was reported overdue after departing from Jorhat, adding that more information was still being gathered while the search mission was underway.
The Sukhoi Su-30MKI, inducted into the Air Force in the early 2000s, is regarded as one of India’s most advanced frontline combat aircraft. The twin-engine multirole fighter was originally developed by Russia and incorporates avionics and weapon systems from India, France and Israel. It also features thrust-vectoring engines and sophisticated flight control systems that enable highly complex aerial manoeuvres.
Production of the aircraft in Russia began in 2000 after India requested the manufacturing of 140 Su-30 fighters. The first aircraft joined the Air Force in 2002, and the fleet has expanded steadily since then. Today, the Su-30MKI makes up the largest portion of the Indian Air Force’s fighter aircraft inventory.
