Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein has ordered the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) to immediately investigate the cause of the crash involving the Hawk 108 fighter jet.

In his latest tweet, Hishammuddin also expressed his condolences to the families of the two pilots who died in the incident.

"I have instructed the air force to conduct a thorough investigation immediately to identify the cause of the Hawk 108 crash," he said.

Ealier, two RMAF pilots who reported missing this afternoon, were found dead after the training fighter jet that they were in, had crashed.

The pilots were identified as Major Yazmi Mohamed Yusof and Major Mohd Hasri Zahari.

READ: Two RMAF Hawk 108 fighter jet pilots killed in crash

RMAF chief General Datuk Seri Affendi Buang who confirmed the matter, said the duo’s bodies were found in the swamp area in Chukai, Kemaman.

The fighter jet that had lost contact with the base near the Terengganu-Pahang border around 11.30am Thursday.

RMAF, in a statement released around 12.35pm today, said the fighter jet took off from the Kuantan air force base at 11am and lost contact half an hour later.