PAF Mirage 5 ROSE III Fighter Jet Crashes Amid Safety Concerns Near Sargodha
A Pakistan Air Force Mirage 5 ROSE III fighter jet from No. 27 Squadron, known as "Zarrars," went down near Sargodha on Tuesday following a suspected midair stall. The pilot was reportedly unable to regain control, resulting in the aircraft suffering significant damage upon impact. Local authorities have secured the area, and an official investigation into the incident has commenced.
The Mirage 5, originally designed in the 1960s by Dassault Aviation and later enhanced through Pakistan's Retrofit of Strike Element (ROSE) program, has a history of safety concerns. Aviation records reveal that since 2012, at least 15 Mirage 5 jets have crashed, resulting in the deaths of nine PAF pilots.
Commonly referred to as the "widow maker," this aircraft is particularly susceptible to stall-spin events, where disruptions in airflow can cause uncontrollable spirals, even for seasoned pilots. Despite upgrades, analysts point out that the aircraft's outdated design struggles to meet the demands of contemporary aviation.
Further updates on the investigation are awaited.
