On October 26, 2025, two U.S. Navy aircraft from the USS Nimitz carrier crashed in the South China Sea during routine operations, raising concerns about operational safety and maintenance under pressure. Both incidents, occurring within half an hour, involved an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter and an F/A-18F Super Hornet, with all crew members safely rescued. Following the crashes, then-President Trump suggested possible fuel contamination as a cause, prompting a full investigation by the U.S. Navy. For India, this situation underscores the vulnerabilities in operational readiness amid geopolitical tensions in the region, highlighting the critical need for robust logistics and maintenance protocols for naval forces in contested maritime environments.