MIG-23 training aircraft crashes near Jodhpur, both pilots safe

An Indian Air Force's MiG-23 training aircraft crashed near Jodhpur's Balesar on Thursday. Both pilots are ejected safely.

The MiG-23 UB trainer aircraft was on a routine sortie when it crashed approximately 60 km from Jodhpur, said an Indian Air Force spokesperson here. A court of inquiry has been ordered to look into the cause of the accident.

While MiG-23 fighter aircraft were was phased out way back in 2009, a limited number of its trainer version is still in service because they serve as the training platform for MiG-27 combat jets that are still being used by the IAF.

The MiG-23 BN, renamed in the IAF as Vijay was retired after 28 years of service and flying more than 154,000 hours. The Soviet-era aircraft were inducted in 1981. However, the air force continue to use the two-seater trainer version – MiG-23 UB.