IAF’s Su-30 MKI aircraft goes missing in Assam; search and rescue operation launched

An Indian Air Force Su-30 MKI fighter jet went missing shortly after taking off from Jorhat airbase in Assam on Thursday, officials said. Officials stated that communication with the Russian-origin plane was lost at 19.42 in the evening, and added that a search and rescue operation was launched to locate the jet.

“An IAF Su-30 MKI was reported overdue. The aircraft took off from Jorhat, Assam and last made contact at 7.42 pm,” the IAF said on social media.

“More details are being determined. A Search and Rescue mission has been launched,” the statement said.

The Su-30MKI is a two-seat, multi-role, long-range fighter aircraft developed by Russian aircraft manufacturer Sukhoi.

It is now being built under license from HAL for the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The IAF operates a fleet of over 260 Su-30MKI jets.