Indian Air Force’s MiG-21 crashes in Madhya Pradesh

NEW DELHI: An Indian Air Force MiG 21 aircraft crashed near the Gwalior airbase in Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday.

According to reports in the Indian media, both the pilots of the MiG-21 trainer aircraft including a group captain and a squadron leader managed to eject safely before the crash. 

Crashes involving fighter planes are not uncommon in India which is in the midst of upgrading its Soviet-era military.

Most of the accidents involve the MiGs that India bought decades ago from the Soviet Union, earning it the unflattering "flying coffin" tag.

Last July, the pilot of a MiG-21 jet died after the fighter jet crashed in northern Himachal Pradesh state.

Earlier this year, another MiG-21 'Bison' crashed in Rajasthan after it reportedly hit a bird. The pilot, however, ejected was reportedly safe.

India is investing billions of dollars in modernising its air force. It has signed a contract to purchase 36 Dassault Rafale fighters from France for $8.8 billion.