Jaguar Fighter Aircraft: Third Crash Since March Raises Fresh Questions About IAF's Aging Fleet

A Jaguar fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed near Bhanuda village in Rajasthan’s Churu district on Wednesday, killing both pilots onboard. This marks the third Jaguar crash since March 2025, reigniting concerns over the operational safety and relevance of the aging fleet.

The SEPECAT Jaguar, inducted into the IAF in 1979, has seen over 50 mishaps in its 45 years of service. While some defence experts and veterans are calling for its immediate retirement, others argue the platform still holds strategic value — if managed wisely.

⚠️ 3 Crashes in 4 Months: What’s Happening?

According to reports, more than 65 Jaguar jets have been lost since their induction, with engine failures being a recurring cause. The aircraft uses the Rolls-Royce/Turbomeca Adour Mk 804 and Mk 811 engines, which are reportedly underpowered for India’s high-altitude and hot-climate operations. These limitations, combined with a shortage of spare parts, have made upkeep increasingly difficult.

🛫 A Look Back: Induction & Service Record

• Induction Year: 1979
• First Squadron: No. 14 ‘Bulls’, Ambala Air Base
• Current Strength: Approx. 115–120 Jaguars in 6 squadrons
• Operational Fleet: Around 83 aircraft (as of April 2025)
• Manufacturer: Initially imported; later produced by HAL under licence
• Nickname in IAF: Shamsher

🗺️ Role in Kargil War

During the 1999 Kargil conflict, Jaguars were deployed not for bombings, but for high-altitude reconnaissance missions using LOROP (Long Range Oblique Photography) systems. They also provided electronic countermeasures (ECM) and electronic intelligence (ELINT) support. However, their limited high-altitude capability made them unsuitable for direct strike missions in the mountainous terrain.

🧰 Maintenance Challenges

Jaguar maintenance is intensive, requiring up to 20 hours of maintenance for each flight hour. This makes it a costly and labor-heavy platform to operate. In addition to engine limitations, airframe fatigue is now a growing concern.

🔧 Can Upgrades Save the Jaguar?

Retired IAF pilot and military analyst Vijainder K Thakur argues that despite limitations, the Jaguar still serves a critical role, especially for medium-altitude stand-off strikes. He highlighted the DARIN upgrade series (Display Attack Ranging Inertial Navigation) — DARIN I, II, and III — which have significantly improved its strike and targeting capabilities.

He also cautions, however, that to safely extend service life, the IAF must limit monthly flight hours and carefully manage the platform’s aging systems.

🛑 Time to Retire? Mixed Opinions

While some experts like Tim Davis, a former RAF instructor, urge phasing out the aircraft, citing rising risk and pilot fatalities, others say India cannot afford a rapid drawdown of fighter assets amidst delays in modern replacements like the Tejas Mk2, Rafale, and MRFA jets.

"Even one pilot death is a tragedy. And the older the aircraft, the higher the risk," said Davis.

📆 When Will Jaguars Be Retired?

The IAF is expected to start phasing out older Jaguars by 2027-28, with complete retirement projected between 2035 and 2040. However, procurement delays may force the IAF to stretch Jaguar service life further.

🌍 Global Status of Jaguars

Nations like Britain, France, Ecuador, Nigeria, and Oman have long retired the Jaguar from active service. Many of these jets are now displayed in air museums.

⚖️ Final Verdict?

The latest crash brings the IAF to a crossroads. With limited options for immediate replacement and growing safety concerns, the Jaguar’s