On Tueasday, another MiG-29 pivot fighter aircraft crashed in Jamnagar. This is the third MiG-29 crash this year. The pilot ejected safely from the aircraft.

The Indian Air Force has been lost three MiG-29s, two MiG-21s a MiG-27 and a Suryakiran display aircraft this year until the date. After the Tuesday crash, IAF has ordered a Court of Inquiry into it.

The previous two previous crashes involving MiG-29s happened on September 28 near Ambala and on June 8 in the sea off the Gujarat coast.

The IAF’s MiG-29 fleet of 66 aircrafts is waiting for a comprehensive mid-life upgrade program. The program has been delayed by 18 months and expected to start in 2008.

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