2 weeks ago
Squadron Leader Sudhir Kumar wins Shaurya Chakra for saving Su-30MKI
A brave pilot flew a big fighter jet at night.
Suddenly, many important airplane parts stopped working.
The jet started shaking and turning wildly in the dark sky.
The pilot, Squadron Leader Sudhir Kumar, felt very strong forces pushing his body.
It was hard for him to see or even stay awake.
He calmly told the pilot-in-training in the front seat which switches to reset.
He also gave the engines more power to stop the jet from slowing down too much.
His quick thinking stopped the jet from crashing.
He has flown for more than 1,300 hours, so he knew just what to do.
Because he was so brave and clever, the government gave him a special medal called the Shaurya Chakra.
Squadron Leader Sudhir Kumar was awarded the Shaurya Chakra for saving his Su-30MKI fighter from a potentially catastrophic crash.
The incident occurred on 9 September 2025 during a low-level navigation sortie at night, with Kumar flying from the rear cockpit accompanied by an under-training pilot.
The aircraft suffered a multiple-system failure at 2.2 km altitude and 740 kmph, with pitch variations from +45 to -15 degrees and g-loads from -1.5 g to +12 g.
He guided the front pilot to reset the failed Fly By Wire channels and re-opened engine power, preventing a crash caused by rapid loss of airspeed.
His citation praised his extraordinary airmanship, composure and leadership while he struggled to stay conscious under extreme physical forces.
- Who
- Squadron Leader Sudhir Kumar, a Su-30MKI pilot with more than 1,300 hours of flying experience, flying with an under-training pilot in the front cockpit.
- What
- Kumar safely recovered a Su-30MKI fighter from a potential catastrophic crash after a multiple-system Fly By Wire failure and was awarded the Shaurya Chakra for his gallantry.
- Where
- The award was reported from New Delhi; the location of the flight itself was not specified in the article.
- When
- On 9 September 2025, during a night-time low-level navigation sortie; the award announcement followed the incident.
- Why
- For exceptional gallantry and airmanship in preventing a cataclysmic accident after a violent in-flight system failure at night.
Key facts
- Award
- Shaurya Chakra
- Recipient
- Squadron Leader Sudhir Kumar
- Aircraft
- Su-30MKI
- Incident date
- 9 September 2025
- Altitude at failure
- 2.2 km
- Speed at failure
- 740 kmph
- Pilot experience
- Over 1,300 flying hours
- Failure type
- Multiple indicators of Fly By Wire system failure
Quotes
Citation
Official award citation describing the incident
“"The ensuing task was extremely demanding given the violent onset of intense g‑forces and the rapidity of the manoeuvre that manifested under conditions of total darkness by night. Without any external frame of reference and unable to discern the aircraft instruments due to blurring of vision, he demonstrated extraordinary airmanship and praiseworthy intuition by promptly re‑opening power on the aircraft," the citation read.”
theprint.in
Sources
Related news
Navy officer who braved burning LPG tanker awarded Shaurya Chakra
Air India Pilot Under Marijuana Influence Claims Sleep Medication
Air India Flight Lost 300 Feet After Triple Hydraulic Failure
Air India Flight Mid-Air Drop: Pilot Body Cites Hydraulic Failures
Yogi Adityanath honours martyrs' families at Lucknow Independence Day ceremony
President Droupadi Murmu Approves 78 Gallantry Awards, 13 Posthumous
President Murmu Approves 78 Gallantry Awards Including 13 Posthumous
