India’s Sukhoi Su-30 MKI goes MISSING, Indian Air Force launches search operation

A Sukhoi Su-30 MKI fighter jet of the Indian Air Force (IAF) has gone missing from radar on Thursday evening. Search operation is underway.

IAF’s Sukhoi Su-30 MKI Goes Missing: Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Sukhoi Su-30 MKI fighter jet has gone missing from radar under mysterious circumstances on Thursday. Guwahati Defence PRO informed about the incident, stating that a search operation has been initiated on a war footing to find the whereabouts of the Russian-made fighter aircraft. According to the preliminary information, the Made in Russia 4.5 generation aircraft gone missing at around 7 pm today while conducting a sortie in the Karbi Anglong district.

However, there is no information regarding the crash of the fighter jet. IAF has also not confirmed any crash.

One Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft missing from radar contact. Airforce team launched to ascertain the facts: Defence PRO, Guwahati pic.twitter.com/Mm3ZooWvD0

— ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2026

About Sukhoi Su-30 MKI

Sukhoi Su-30MKI is a multirole combat fighter jet which was jointly developed by Sukhoi Design Bureau and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The fighter jet, which is based on Su-30 fighter aircraft, is specifically developed for Indian Air Force (IAF). It is loaded with thrust vectoring control and canards.

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Feature	Details
Role	Multirole fighter aircraft
Manufacturer	Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
Operator	Indian Air Force
Maiden Flight	November 2000
Service Entry	September 2002
Maximum Speed	Mach 1.9
Range	3,000 km

Su-30MKI Weapon System

The fighter jet is loaded with 30mm Gsh-30-1 cannon. It also has 12 hardpoints capable of carrying external stores. Su-30MKI is capable of launching several air-to-surface missiles, including Kh-31A/P, Kh-59M, Nirbhay and Kh-29L/T/Tye.

It can also carry an air-launched version of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles. The BrahMos can strike targets within the range of 290km. The IAF integrated BrahMos on the Su-30MKI, with the third live firing in December 2019.

The fighter het is loaded with tarang radar warning receiver (RWR), chaff/flare dispensers and active jammers. Notably, the RWR is developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

A search and rescue operation is currently underway.