• Source:JND
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IAF Jaguar Jet Crash: A Jaguar fighter jet of the Indian Air Force on Wednesday crashed during a routine training mission near Churu in Rajasthan. Both pilots were killed in the accident, the IAF said, adding that no damage has been reported to any civil property. The Indian Air Force further said that a Court of Inquiry has been constituted to investigate the causes of the accident. According to Rajaldesar police station in-charge Kamlesh, the plane took off from Suratgarh airbase in Sri Ganganagar district and crashed in a field in Bhanoda village in Churu district at around 1:25 pm.

IAF Jaguar's Third Crash In 2025

This is the third Jaguar accident since March this year. On March 7, a Jaguar aircraft crashed near Ambala in which the pilot escaped safely, but that incident highlighted the risks of flying aging aircrafts. A month later, another accident took place in Jamnagar on April 3, 2025, in which the pilot Flight Lieutenant Siddharth Yadav was martyred after the plane crashed due to a technical fault. Before losing his life, he displayed indomitable courage by steering the aircraft away from the population and getting his co-pilot to eject.

All About Jaguar Fighter Jet

The Jaguar is a twin-engine fighter aircraft developed by Britain and France in the 1960s. It was initially designed as a trainer aircraft, but was later equipped with supersonic capabilities for ground attack, nuclear strike and reconnaissance missions. It has been used in several wars and has also been exported to India, Oman, Ecuador and Nigeria.

India first ordered the aircraft in 1978, with a USD 1 billion order for 40 Jaguars built in Europe and 120 license-built aircraft from Hindustan Aeronautic Limited. The Western Air Command of the IAF first time used the Jaguar aircraft in 1979 when 18 RAF Jaguars were loaned to the IAF. Since acquiring it, India made several changes to the Jaguars. The Adour Mk 811 engines were used in the aircraft produced by the HAL in India. The previous Jaguars made in UK had the earlier Mk 804 engines. IAF Jaguars also used the R-550 Magic in rails over the wings.

The Jaguar aircraft were used for reconnaissance missions to support the Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka between 1987 and 1990. The Jaguars also played important role in 1999 Kargil War against Pakistan. While countries like Britain, France and Oman have retired their Jaguars long ago and have placed some in museums, the Indian Air Force still fly them.

Investigations into several past accidents have revealed engine failure as a major cause, indicating that these aircraft have outlived themselves. Due to delays in the procurement of new fighter jets (Tejas Mk2, Rafale, MRFA), the IAF has no choice but to extend the life of these old aircraft even though it plans to phase them out after 2027-28.

The Indian Air Force is facing a dual challenge, on one hand, the number of fighter aircraft squadrons has fallen from the sanctioned 42.5 to just 30, while on the other hand, the recurring engine failure in old Jaguar aircraft has proved that these aircraft have long crossed their operational life (expiry date).