India’s French-made supersonic fighter jet crashes during test flight

Two pilots have died after a Mirage 2000 jet crashed over a Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) runway following a technical glitch.

The pair were killed after ejecting from the fighter jet during takeoff in Yemalur in Bengaluru southern India, Friday morning.

The pilots were Sqn Ldr Siddartha Negi and Sqn Ldr Samir Abrol. Negi landed in the wreckage and Abrol later succumbed to his injuries, reported the Times of India.

The state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) makes and upgrades aircraft for training and Indian Air Force combat operations as the country's sole defence behemoth. It also maintains and operates the military airport in Bengaluru.