The Indian Air Force has witnessed a significant number of pilot casualties over the past thirty years, primarily due to poor safety standards and inadequate operational preparedness.

According to sources, more than one hundred and fifty IAF fighter jet pilots have lost their lives in over five hundred and fifty air accidents during this period. The number of pilots killed in daily accidents in IAF is thirty times higher than the casualties during the Kargil War.

Sources said that MiG-21 aircraft, still in service with the IAF, are often referred to as “Flying Coffins” or “Widow Makers” due to their high accident rate.

Defense analysts have raised serious concerns about the IAF’s operational readiness and safety protocols in light of the high number of aircraft accidents and pilot fatalities.