A fourth-generation McDonnell Douglas F-15SA Eagle fighter crashed in Saudi Arabia during an exercise

An F-15SA Eagle fighter jet of the Royal Saudi Air Force has crashed. The incident occurred on Wednesday during an exercise.

Here's What We Know

The state-run Press Agency said the crash occurred near the King Khalid military base. It is about 815 kilometres southwest of Riyard, the Saudi capital.

The crash killed the aircraft's crew. Brigadier General Turki al-Malki said an investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the crash of the Royal Air Force fighter jet.

Saudi Arabia became an F-15 Eagle operator in the 1980s when it received 62 F-15C/D units in a modification without part of the avionics and conformal fuel tanks. Some 10 years later, the kingdom received another 36 aircraft.

Earlier last decade, the Saudis ordered 84 F-15SA two-seat fighters at a cost of $11.4 billion. A contract was also signed to upgrade 70 F-15S aircraft to the F-15SA level.

Source: APNews