Indian Air Force’s Sukhoi Su-30MKI Loses Radar Contact During Sortie in Assam

An Indian Air Force Sukhoi Su-30 MKI fighter jet has been reported missing in the state of Assam in India. The Sukhoi Su-30 MKI fighter jet lost contact, after which the Air Force initiated a search operation for the missing jet. The incident took place in the evening of March 5, 2026, and the whole situation has created a lot of buzz in the defense sector of the country.

According to the Guwahati Defense PRO, the Sukhoi Su-30 MKI (a 4.5-generation fighter aircraft) disappeared from radar in Assam's Karbi Anglong district during a sortie at around 7 pm. According to preliminary information, the aircraft was in the area after taking off from Jorhat Airbase. Some local reports claim that the plane may have crashed, and a loud explosion was heard in the area. However, the Indian Air Force or the Ministry of Defense has not yet officially confirmed the crash.

The Sukhoi Su-30 MKI fighter jet had one pilot on board when it went missing, and the pilot is also missing. An Air Force team has been dispatched to the location to determine the circumstances that led to the missing jet. The Karbi Anglong region of Assam is a hilly area that is also highly forested, which has complicated the search operation. The helicopters that have been deployed to the location to search for the missing Sukhoi Su-30 MKI fighter jet may face some difficulty at night.