On April 15, 2025, a Mirage V ROSE fighter jet of the Pakistan Air Force crashed in the Punjab province, near the Ratta Tibba area of ​​Vehari district. The incident occurred during a scheduled training flight from the Rafiki air base in Shorkot. According to preliminary data, the cause of the accident was a technical failure, but the exact circumstances are being investigated by a special commission created by the Air Force command. Both pilots on board successfully ejected and were quickly evacuated. They reportedly received minor injuries and are under medical observation. No civilian casualties or damage on the ground were recorded.

The plane crashed in a farming area near Luddan Road, damaging crops but leaving no residential properties untouched. Locals who witnessed the incident reported a loud explosion and plumes of smoke rising from the field. Videos from the crash site circulated on social media showing burning debris and crowds of onlookers gathered around. Eyewitnesses said they saw the pilots’ parachutes descending nearby and rushed to help. The area was immediately cordoned off by police and troops, and rescue services began to deal with the aftermath. Pakistani authorities have assured that a thorough investigation will be conducted to establish whether the accident was due to technical problems or human error.

The crash of the Mirage V ROSE is the latest incident involving the Pakistan Air Force’s aging fleet of aircraft. The Mirage V, developed by France’s Dassault Aviation in the 1960s, remains a vital part of Pakistan’s air force despite being upgraded under the Retrofit of Strike Element (ROSE) program, Reuters reported. The program, which began in the 1990s, equipped the jets with modern avionics, radars, and targeting systems, enabling them to be used for precision strikes, including delivering nuclear weapons. However, the age of the jets and difficulties in obtaining spare parts increase the risk of accidents, according to The Express Tribune. In 2024, a Mirage V crashed in Jhang Agency during a training mission, with the pilot also ejecting safely.

According to Geo News, Rafiqi Air Base, where the crashed plane took off from, is a key Pakistan Air Force installation named after legendary pilot Cecil Chaudhry. The base supports fighter squadron operations and training missions, making it an important element of regional security. The Vehari crash has raised concerns in military circles, as the Mirage V makes up a significant portion of the IAF’s fleet until it is gradually replaced by the more modern JF-17 Thunder, developed jointly with China. As Daily Pakistan notes, Pakistan has been aggressively modernizing its fleet in recent years, but remains reliant on older platforms due to financial constraints.