Latest news with #SEPECATJaguar
News18
4 days ago
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- News18
Jaguar Fighter Aircraft: 3 Crashes Since March, 50+ Mishaps In 45 Years, Time To Phase Out The Jets?
Jaguar Fighter Aircraft Crash: Inducted in IAF in 1979 and crucial in Kargil war, some feel India should phase out the jets, just like Britain and France, others disagree Jaguar Fighter Aircraft Crash: Wednesday's Jaguar fighter aircraft crash near Bhanuda village in Rajasthan's Churu district, which killed two Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots, has given rise to one question – Is it time to phase out the jets? This was the third crash involving the aircraft since March this year. According to media reports, this fleet of aircraft has suffered over 50 major and minor incidents in its 45-year service with the IAF, some of which have been fatal. When were Jaguar fighter aircraft inducted? The SEPECAT Jaguar is a twin-engine, ground-attack aircraft primarily designed for deep penetration strike missions, especially against high-value ground targets in contested airspace. The IAF received its first Jaguars in 1979. The first squadron to be equipped with Jaguars was No. 14 Squadron, also known as the 'Bulls', based at Ambala Air Force Station. India initially purchased the Jaguars under the name Shamsher in IAF service. The aircraft were manufactured under licence by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in India. The Indian Air Force currently operates approximately 115 to 120 SEPECAT Jaguar aircraft across six squadrons. However, only about 83 of these are fully operational as of April 2025. Were Jaguars used during Kargil War? Are Jaguar aircraft easy to maintain? Around 50+ crashes have been recorded, with roughly 65 aircraft lost by 2015. Each flight hour demands around 20 hours of upkeep. An IAF Jaguar Trainer aircraft met with an accident during a routine training mission and crashed near Churu in Rajasthan, today. Both pilots sustained fatal injuries in the accident. No damage to any civil property has been deeply regrets the loss of lives and… — Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) July 9, 2025 What was the cause of Jaguar aircraft crashes? According to experts, many of the crashes involving the Jaguar fighter jets were a result of failures in the Rolls-Royce/Turbomeca Adour Mk 804 and Mk 811 engines. Experts say that one of the biggest concerns with these engines is the thrust output, which is inadequate in India's hot-and-high flying conditions, especially from forward air bases near the Himalayas. Moreover, the availability of spare parts for the Mk 804/811 engines has become a serious logistical bottleneck. Should Jaguar aircraft be phased out? Yes, says one expert Tim Davis, a former Royal Air Force instructor in an IRDW report, stated, 'Even with engine and avionics upgrades, you still face issues with airframe fatigue. There's only so much of an aircraft you can replace. It comes down this: even one pilot death is a tragedy. And the older the aircraft gets, the higher the risks." 'Jaguar could be retained longer': Expert explains why and how Military analyst and retired Jaguar pilot squadron leader Vijainder K Thakur, wrote in EurAsian Times last September, 'One reason why the Jaguar has remained relevant is that the IAF has adopted the fighter for medium-altitude stand-off strikes." According to Thakur, since its initial induction, the IAF has continuously upgraded the Jaguar to improve its stand-off attack, strike range, and target acquisition capabilities. Thakur wrote that these upgrades, referred to as DARIN (Display Attack Ranging Inertial Navigation) upgrades, were done in three phases: DARIN-1, DARIN-2, and DARIN-3. 'Clearly, the Jaguar is now a potent platform despite being somewhat underpowered. It could be retained in service longer than currently projected to prevent the unacceptable depletion of IAF fighter aircraft inventory. Indeed, that may well be the case," wrote Thakur. 'However, longer service retention could only be achieved by reducing the aircraft's monthly flying hours," he suggested. Does the IAF plan to phase out Jaguar jets? The IAF is expected to begin phasing out its older Jaguar models 2027-28 onwards. But amid delays in acquiring the HAL Tejas Mk2, Rafale, and Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft, it will have to extend the life of these outdated planes. The complete phasing out is scheduled by 2035-2040, according to media reports. Do other countries fly Jaguar jets? Countries like Britain, France, Ecuador, Nigeria and Oman, which once had Jaguars in their fleet, have retired them long ago, with some have been put on display in air museums. Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : Indian Air Force (IAF) jaguar Jaguar fighter jet Jaguars view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 09, 2025, 19:19 IST News explainers Jaguar Fighter Aircraft: 3 Crashes Since March, 50+ Mishaps In 45 Years, Time To Phase Out The Jets? Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
4 days ago
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- News18
Third Jaguar Jet Crash Since March: When Was Fighter Aircraft Inducted? How Many Does IAF Have?
Last Updated: Third Jaguar Jet Crash Since March: The SEPECAT Jaguar aircraft were officially inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF) in July 1979 A Jaguar fighter aircraft on Tuesday crashed near Bhanuda village in Rajasthan's Churu district, killing two Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots. In a post on X, the IAF said: 'An IAF Jaguar Trainer aircraft met with an accident during a routine training mission and crashed near Churu in Rajasthan today. Both pilots sustained fatal injuries in the accident. No damage to any civil property has been reported. IAF deeply regrets the loss of lives and stands firmly with the bereaved families in this time of grief." When were Jaguar jets inducted? How many does the IAF have? The SEPECAT Jaguar aircraft were officially inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF) in July 1979. The first squadron to be equipped with Jaguars was No. 14 Squadron, also known as the 'Bulls", based at Ambala Air Force Station. India initially purchased the Jaguars under the name Shamsher in IAF service. The aircraft were manufactured under license by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in India. The IAF currently operates approximately 115 to 120 SEPECAT Jaguar aircraft across six squadrons. However, only about 83 of these are fully operational as of April. Jaguar jet crashes since March April 3: Another Jaguar jet crashed in Gujarat's Jamnagar. The pilot, Flight Lieutenant Siddharth Yadav, died in the crash that occurred due to a critical technical malfunction in the aircraft. In a remarkable act of bravery before his death, Lieutenant Yadav saved countless lives by steering the crashing aircraft away from a densely populated area. He also ejected his fellow pilot, ensuring his safety before tragically losing his own life. March 7: An Anglo-French SEPECAT Jaguar ground attack fighter went down near Ambala during a routine sortie. At the time, the pilot was able to eject safely. Does IAF plan to phase out Jaguar jets? The IAF too, is expected to begin 'number-plating' or phasing out its older Jaguar models after 2027-28 onwards, but amid delays in acquiring the HAL Tejas Mk2, Rafale, and MRFA (Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft), it is left with little choice but to extend the life of these outdated planes. Do other countries fly Jaguar jets? Countries like Britain, France, Ecuador, Nigeria and Oman, which once had Jaguars in their fleet, have retired them long ago, with some jets put on display in air museums. view comments First Published: July 09, 2025, 17:16 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
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First Post
4 days ago
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- First Post
IAF plane crash puts spotlight on ageing Jaguar fighter jet: Are these planes too old to fly?
An IAF's Jaguar fighter plane went down on Wednesday (July 9) in Rajasthan's Churu, killing both the pilots on board. This is the third such instance of a Jaguar crashing since the beginning of this year. Questions have been raised about the safety of this aircraft, which will be retired from use in 2031 read more An Indian Air Force Jaguar aircraft. On Wednesday, the IAF's Jaguar crashed in Rajasthan's Churu, making it the third such mishap since the beginning of 2025. File image/PTI The Indian Air Force (IAF) has lost two pilots today (July 9) after a Jaguar fighter jet crashed near Bhanuda village in Rajasthan's Churu district. A police official said that the aircraft crashed in an agriculture field in Bhanoda village around 1.25 pm on Wednesday, after it took off from the Suratgarh airbase. The IAF has confirmed that both pilots on board suffered fatal injuries. 'An IAF Jaguar Trainer aircraft met with an accident during a routine training mission and crashed near Churu in Rajasthan, today. Both pilots sustained fatal injuries in the accident,' wrote the IAF on X. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Notably, this is the third Jaguar plane to crash this year — earlier, the IAF's Jaguar crashed in Gujarat in April, killing one pilot, while another one crashed in Haryana in March. The crashes once again highlights the issues related to the aging plane and the challenges posed by their overall maintenance, repair and overhaul. Jaguars, the work horse of the IAF The SEPECAT Jaguar was first introduced in 1968, was a joint venture between the British Aircraft Corporation and the French Breguet Company to develop a new supersonic jet trainer for the French Air Force and Royal Air Force. Originally, it was conceived to be a jet trainer with a light ground attack capability, but was later changed to include supersonic performance, reconnaissance and tactical nuclear strike roles. Today, it is a two-seater fighter aircraft with the ability to carry a variety of missiles, including air-to-air options, like the AIM-9 Sidewinder, ASRAAM, and R.550 Magic. Ageing Jaguar fighter jets of the Indian Air Force perform a fly-past in Chennai. File image/AFP In 1979, India acquired the Jaguars, christening them as Shamsher (meaning Sword of Justice in Persian). When the first two Jaguars were inducted into the IAF on July 27, 1979, Group Captain Kapil Bhargava noted in an article for Air Forces Monthly that it marked the beginning of a new era in the IAF's aviation capabilities. The Jaguar soon earned a reputation as a low-level deep penetration strike specialist — this jet played a significant role in reconnaissance and high-altitude precision targeting support during the Kargil War in 1999. Even in the Balakot air strikes of 2019, the IAF used the Jaguar aircraft as decoys to bait the Pakistan air force's F-16 and move them away from the intended target area. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Today, the IAF operates approximately 120 Jaguar jets in six squadrons. Jaguar's chequered legacy in the IAF While the Jaguar has become a critical element of the IAF's fleet, it is not without its issues. In 2025, there have already been three crashes involving the plane. On March 7, a Jaguar fighter jet crashed shortly after taking off from the Ambala airbase in Haryana. The remains of the ill-fated aircraft were scattered all over in the forest area on the hilly terrain near Raipur Rani in the Panchkula district of Haryana close to the Haryana-Himachal Pradesh border. An official statement by the IAF read, 'A Jaguar aircraft of the IAF crashed at Ambala during a routine training sortie today, after encountering a system malfunction. The pilot maneuvered the aircraft away from any habitation on the ground before ejecting safely. An inquiry has been ordered by the IAF to ascertain the cause of the accident.' Fortunately, the pilot escaped the crash with minimal injuries. Wreckage at the site after a Jaguar fighter jet of the Indian Air Force crashed while on a training mission in April. File image/PTI A little less than a month later, on April 2, another Jaguar crashed near Jamnagar Airfield during a night mission, claiming the life of Flight Lieutenant Siddharth Yadav. According to the IAF's official statement, both pilots ejected after detecting the failure, ensuring the jet crashed in an open field instead of populated areas. However, despite the ejection, Flight Lieutenant Yadav succumbed to his injuries. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Sources said that in the past, there have been multiple incidents involving the Jaguar as this fleet of aircraft has suffered over 50 major and minor incidents in its 45-year service with the IAF, some of which have been fatal. Challenges the IAF faces in flying Jaguars The crash on Wednesday once again raises questions if the Jaguar is indeed too old to fly. In fact, India's Air Force is the only major air force that still operates Jaguars; countries like Britain, France, Ecuador, Nigeria and Oman, which once had Jaguars in their fleet, have retired them long ago, with some jets put on display in air museums. Experts note that many of the crashes involving the Jaguar fighter jet was a result of failures in the Rolls-Royce/Turbomeca Adour Mk 804 and Mk 811 engines. Many experts note that one of the biggest concerns with these engines is the thrust output, which is inadequate in India's hot-and-high flying conditions, especially from forward air bases near the Himalayas. As The Print notes in a report, the engines struggle with performance during critical mission phases such as take-off, climb, and low-level manoeuvring under full payload conditions. Five SEPECAT Jaguar aircraft of the Indian Air Force in an arrowhead formation fly over the Yehlanka Airforce Base. File image/AFP Moreover, the availability of spare parts for the Mk 804/811 engines has become a serious logistical bottleneck. Tim Davis, a former Royal Air Force instructor in an IRDW report stated, 'Even with engine and avionics upgrades, you still face issues with airframe fatigue. There's only so much of an aircraft you can replace. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'It comes down this: even one pilot death is a tragedy. And the older the aircraft gets, the higher the risks.' IAF's dwindling strength The IAF has plans to phase out the Jaguar from its fleet by 2031. However, delays in acquiring the HAL Tejas Mk2, Rafale, and the MRFA (Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft), has forced the IAF to exnted the life of this ageing plane. Today, the IAF is already short on its fighter squadrons from a sanctioned strength of 42.5 to just 30 jets presently. In fact, in February, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh highlighted the shortage of fighter jets, ruing the delays in the procurement of critical military platforms. He added that the Indian Air Force is 'very badly off in numbers', pointing out that it must induct 40 fighter jets every year to stay combat ready. 'We have fleets that will be phased out in the next five to 10 years. Those fleets will have to be replaced with new aircraft, and we already have vacancies available (shortfall). We are looking at 35 to 40 aircraft a year being produced somewhere. I understand capacities cannot come up overnight, but we need to start pushing ourselves towards that,' he was quoted as saying. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies
