The IAF’s recent run of ill luck hit a new low on 19 February 2019, when two Hawk AJTs from the Surya Kiran Aerobatics Team (SKAT) crashed at Yelahanka after a mid-air collision during rehearsal. It’s blue skies (RIP) for one of the pilots while two other pilots ejected safely, albeit with injuries.
A Mirage 2000 crash on 1 February at neighbouring HAL Airport claimed two young test pilots from ASTE. Soon after, a MiG 27 crashed on 12 February near Jaisalmer (pilot ejected safely). Now this fatal accident coming a day before inauguration of Aero India 2019, has thrown a long shadow over the proceedings.
February 2019 has been a terrible month for Indian forces battling many asymmetric threats from inside and outside.
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