Two Indian Air Force pilots were killed on Thursday evening as a MiG-21 jet crashed during a training sortie in Rajasthan's Barmer.

"A twin seater Mig-21 trainer aircraft of the IAF was airborne for a training sortie from Utarlai air base in Rajasthan this evening. Around 9:10 pm, the aircraft met with an accident near Barmer. Both pilots sustained fatal injuries," the Air Force said in a statement.

"IAF deeply regrets the loss of lives and stands firmly with the bereaved families," the statement added.

A court of inquiry has been ordered to investigate the cause of the accident.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari after the crash.

"Deeply anguished by the loss of two Air Warriors due to an accident of IAF's Mig-21 trainer aircraft near Barmer in Rajasthan," Mr Singh said on Twitter.

"Their service to the nation will never be forgotten. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of sadness," he said