AN-32 Jorhat Crash: All About The Soviet-Era IAF Aircraft

Jorhat: An Indian Air Force (IAF) AN-32 aircraft tragically crashed at Air Force Station in Jorhat, Assam, on Saturday. Antonov AN-32 aircraft is a turboprop twin-engined military transport aircraft, which was first developed by the Soviet Union.

The AN-32 can be operated in a hot climate and at high-altitude airfields of up to 4500 m above the sea level. It can carry up to 50 passengers or 6.7 tons of cargo.

The AN-32 cargo aircraft is renowned for its ability to land in hilly and inaccessible terrains, making it indispensable for operations in challenging regions. The Indian Air Force currently operates around 100 Antonov AN-32 tactical transport aircraft, down from the original 125 procured from the Soviet Union in the 1980s. 

For over four decades, the AN-32 has served as the backbone of the IAF’s medium-lift transport capability. Its rugged design and durability allow it to perform reliably in extreme conditions, including hot weather and high-altitude zones such as the Himalayas, cementing its role as a critical asset in India’s air mobility operations. 

The Jorhat Crash

An AN-32 transport aircraft went down on Saturday morning, claiming the lives of five Indian Air Force(IAF) personnel in Jorhat. The mishap took place during a routine sortie.

The air warriors who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty were Sqn Ldr Prashant Singh, Flt Lt Shubham Kumar, Sgt Jitendra Sharma, Agniveervayu Khemaram Kumawat and Agniveervayu Danish Alam.

Assam Chief Minister Hemanta Biswa Sarma expressed profound grief at the loss of five Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel in the tragic plane crash.

In a post on X, the Chief Minister said, “Pained by the loss of 5 brave Air Warriors of IAF in the AN 32 accident in Jorhat. The loss of Sqn Ldr Prashant Singh, Flt Lt Shubham Kumar, Sgt Jitendra Sharma, Agniveervayu Khemaram Kumawat and Agniveervayu Danish Alam in the line of duty is deeply unfortunate.”

“On behalf of the people of Assam, I offer my thoughts and prayers with the bereaved families in this hour of grief. The Government of Assam is in touch with the concerned authorities and is ready to offer any support and assistance,” Sarma added.