A French Mirage 2000D fighter jet crashed in Niger as it returned from an operation in Mali, French Military Intelligence sources have confirmed.
The jet fighter is among those used to patrol the skies over Mali as France battles militants in the West African country.
The plane crashed inside Niger due to a technical glitch on Tuesday.
The two crew members safely ejected from the fighter jet and were retrieved by French reconnaissance units deployed to retrieve them
The Mirage 2000D fighter jet was flying back from an evening e mission in Mali and crashed half-way between Gao in Mali’s restive north and the Niger capital Niamey, where France has a military base.
The Mirage 2000D fighter jet is worth tens of millions of dollars, is one of six fighter jets being used by the French army in the region.
