Russian-made MiG-21
The Syrian pilot that defected flew a Russian-made MiG-21, which landed at the King Hussein Air Base in Mafraq, near the Syrian border. Richard-Seaman.com

A Syrian fighter pilot has defected to Jordan after landing his aircraft at a military air base in the northern part of the country.

Jordanian Minister of Information Samih al-Maaytah said the pilot, who has asked for asylum, is being debriefed.

The pilot flew a Russian-made MiG-21, which landed at the King Hussein Air Base in Mafraq, near the Syrian border.

Syrian state TV had admitted earlier that a fighter jet, flown by a colonel in its air force, went “missing” during a training mission.