Latest news with #SiddharthYadav
Mint
7 days ago
- General
- Mint
IAF Jet Crash: 5 reasons India's ageing Jaguars refuse to retire — even after 50 years
IAF Jet Crash: Two pilots were killed after a SEPECAT Jaguar aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed near Churu in Rajasthan on July 9. This was the third mishap involving a Jaguar since March this year. On April 3, another Jaguar jet crashed in Gujarat's Jamnagar. Flight Lieutenant Siddharth Yadav, the pilot of the aircraft, died in the crash. On March 7, an Anglo-French SEPECAT Jaguar ground attack fighter crashed near Haryana's Panchkula during a routine sortie. The recent crashes have raised concerns about the safety of India's ageing Jaguar combat fleet, which has been operational for five decades now. Many wonder why these vintage warbirds in the 1960s and inducted into the IAF in 1970s have not been retired. Today, the IAF is the world's only air force that continues to operate some six squadrons of the Anglo-French twin-engine Jaguar variants. Countries like the UK, France, Oman, and Nigeria retired their Jaguar fighter jets long ago. In fact, these ageing fighter jets are expected to continue in service in India until at least 2040. But why? Here are 5 reasons: The first batch of 40 Jaguars, known as Shamsher, was inducted into the IAF in fly-away condition beginning in 1979 and delivered in 1981. Another 100 were license-built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in 2008. Overall, the IAF has inducted about 160 Jaguars of different variants over the years. These include the single-seat strike fighter Jaguar IS, the two-seat trainer Jaguar IB, and the naval version Jaguar IM. According to reports, about 115 are still in service. India has not had much success procuring new aircraft. Amid delays in acquiring the HAL Tejas Mk2, Rafale, and Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft, it has little choice but to extend the life of these outdated planes. 'India is flying Jaguars because we have no other choice. We don't make any aircraft, we only have to buy. The process of buying and selecting is cumbersome. We are also short of squadrons. We are supposed to have 40 + and we are down to about 30. Jaguar like other aircraft has crashed. I would not call it very dangerous,' Wing Commander Praful Bakshi (Retd) told a TV channel after the April crash. So under these circumstances, IAF has not been able to phase out the old war machines. Ever since their induction, Jaguars have undergone multiple upgrades to improve stand-off attack, strike range, and target acquisition capabilities. Military analyst and retired Jaguar pilot squadron leader Vijainder K Thakur wrote in September last year that these upgrades, referred to as DARIN (Display Attack Ranging Inertial Navigation) were done in three phases: DARIN-1, DARIN-2, and DARIN-3. The Inertial Nav-Attack System Integration Organisation (IIO), a multiagency unit established by the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO), IAF, and HAL, first built the DARIN system in the 1980s. In 2008, for example, HAL, the state-owned military plane maker, decided to upgrade 68 so-called 'deep penetration' Jaguar fighters with modern avionics in a contract valued at more than ₹ 2,400 crore, which will increase the fighter planes' life and efficacy. Some reports suggested, the IAF is expected to begin phasing out its older Jaguar models after 2027-28. The complete phasing out is scheduled by 2035-2040. 'One reason why the Jaguar has remained relevant is that the IAF has adopted the fighter for medium-altitude stand-off strikes. We will look at the Jaguar's medium altitude strike capability later in this narrative,' Thakur wrote in EurAsian Times. According to media reports, Jaguars have been involved in over 50 accidents, including recent ones, over the years. Past probes into mishaps pointed to engine failure, raising questions about the longevity of these warbirds. At times, analysts linked their 'under-powered' Rolls-Royce-Turbomecca Adour Mk811 engines to the mishaps. Despite the underpowered engine, which is prone to failures and manual errors, the Jaguar is known for its utility at lower altitudes. Even today, it remains a capable fighter jet in its designated 'deep penetration' role. Thakur argues that the Russia-Ukraine conflict emphasised the continued relevance of a fighter jet like the Jaguar. The conflict has illustrated that low-level penetration of contested airspace by attack aircraft is far safer than medium-altitude penetration because of the widespread use of and increased capabilities of air defence systems, he wrote. In India, during the Kargil War in 1999, the SEPECAT Jaguar played a significant role, particularly in reconnaissance and precision strikes. Jaguars were used for both reconnaissance and bombing missions then. In May, during Operation Sindoor, Jaguars were reportedly used for long-range air-to-air engagement with the Pakistan Air Force as well as striking air bases deep in the country, according to a report in the Indian Express The Jaguar is considered an economical and easy-to-maintain fighter plane compared to more modern-day war machines. According to experts, an engine change is possible in only 30 minutes, allowing for quick turnaround times during intensive operations. Also, for years, the Ministry of Defence (MoD), has been planning to 're-engine' the Jaguars with the US-made Honeywell F-125 turbofan engine . However, the plan was scrapped in August 2109, perhaps, due to the high cost. The availability of spare parts for the Jaguar's MK 811 engines has also emerged as an issue over the years, with the jets being scrapped elsewhere. In 2018, however, the IAF acquired 40-odd decommissioned aircraft and cannibalised them for spares. This would also keep Jaguar combat-ready for the foreseeable future. 'Even with engine and avionics upgrades, you still face issues with airframe fatigue. There's only so much of an aircraft you can replace,'saidTim Davis, a former Royal Air Force instructor in an Indian Defence Research Wing report in April this year. In 2024, the Ministry of Defence approached the UK to transfer nine Jaguar aircraft that are no longer in service with the European country, along with a cache of spares. Experts like Thakur, however, suggest that retiring IAF Jaguars should not be phased out for now. They say the Jaguar phaseout plan could affect the IAF's operational capability, considering the relentless depletion of its fighter inventory. 'It could be retained in service longer than currently projected to prevent the unacceptable depletion of IAF fighter aircraft inventory,' wrote Thakur.
Mint
7 days ago
- General
- Mint
IAF Jet Crash: 5 reasons India's ageing Jaguars refuse to retire — even after 50 years
IAF Jet Crash: Two pilots were killed after a SEPECAT Jaguar aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed near Churu in Rajasthan on July 9. This was the third mishap involving a Jaguar since March this year. On April 3, another Jaguar jet crashed in Gujarat's Jamnagar. Flight Lieutenant Siddharth Yadav, the pilot of the aircraft, died in the crash. On March 7, an Anglo-French SEPECAT Jaguar ground attack fighter crashed near Haryana's Panchkula during a routine sortie. The recent crashes have raised concerns about the safety of India's ageing Jaguar combat fleet, which has been operational for five decades now. Many wonder why these vintage warbirds in the 1960s and inducted into the IAF in 1970s have not been retired. Today, the IAF is the world's only air force that continues to operate some six squadrons of the Anglo-French twin-engine Jaguar variants. Countries like the UK, France, Oman, and Nigeria retired their Jaguar fighter jets long ago. In fact, these ageing fighter jets are expected to continue in service in India until at least 2040. But why? Here are 5 reasons: The first batch of 40 Jaguars, known as Shamsher, was inducted into the IAF in fly-away condition beginning in 1979 and delivered in 1981. Another 100 were license-built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in 2008. Overall, the IAF has inducted about 160 Jaguars of different variants over the years. These include the single-seat strike fighter Jaguar IS, the two-seat trainer Jaguar IB, and the naval version Jaguar IM. According to reports, about 115 are still in service. India has not had much success procuring new aircraft. Amid delays in acquiring the HAL Tejas Mk2, Rafale, and Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft, it has little choice but to extend the life of these outdated planes. 'India is flying Jaguars because we have no other choice. We don't make any aircraft, we only have to buy. The process of buying and selecting is cumbersome. We are also short of squadrons. We are supposed to have 40 + and we are down to about 30. Jaguar like other aircraft has crashed. I would not call it very dangerous,' Wing Commander Praful Bakshi (Retd) told a TV channel after the April crash. So under these circumstances, IAF has not been able to phase out the old war machines. Ever since their induction, Jaguars have undergone multiple upgrades to improve stand-off attack, strike range, and target acquisition capabilities. Military analyst and retired Jaguar pilot squadron leader Vijainder K Thakur wrote in September last year that these upgrades, referred to as DARIN (Display Attack Ranging Inertial Navigation) were done in three phases: DARIN-1, DARIN-2, and DARIN-3. The Inertial Nav-Attack System Integration Organisation (IIO), a multiagency unit established by the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO), IAF, and HAL, first built the DARIN system in the 1980s. In 2008, for example, HAL, the state-owned military plane maker, decided to upgrade 68 so-called 'deep penetration' Jaguar fighters with modern avionics in a contract valued at more than ₹ 2,400 crore, which will increase the fighter planes' life and efficacy. Some reports suggested, the IAF is expected to begin phasing out its older Jaguar models after 2027-28. The complete phasing out is scheduled by 2035-2040. 'One reason why the Jaguar has remained relevant is that the IAF has adopted the fighter for medium-altitude stand-off strikes. We will look at the Jaguar's medium altitude strike capability later in this narrative,' Thakur wrote in EurAsian Times. According to media reports, Jaguars have been involved in over 50 accidents, including recent ones, over the years. Past probes into mishaps pointed to engine failure, raising questions about the longevity of these warbirds. At times, analysts linked their 'under-powered' Rolls-Royce-Turbomecca Adour Mk811 engines to the mishaps. Despite the underpowered engine, which is prone to failures and manual errors, the Jaguar is known for its utility at lower altitudes. Even today, it remains a capable fighter jet in its designated 'deep penetration' role. Thakur argues that the Russia-Ukraine conflict emphasised the continued relevance of a fighter jet like the Jaguar. The conflict has illustrated that low-level penetration of contested airspace by attack aircraft is far safer than medium-altitude penetration because of the widespread use of and increased capabilities of air defence systems, he wrote. In India, during the Kargil War in 1999, the SEPECAT Jaguar played a significant role, particularly in reconnaissance and precision strikes. Jaguars were used for both reconnaissance and bombing missions then. In May, during Operation Sindoor, Jaguars were reportedly used for long-range air-to-air engagement with the Pakistan Air Force as well as striking air bases deep in the country, according to a report in the Indian Express The Jaguar is considered an economical and easy-to-maintain fighter plane compared to more modern-day war machines. According to experts, an engine change is possible in only 30 minutes, allowing for quick turnaround times during intensive operations. Also, for years, the Ministry of Defence (MoD), has been planning to 're-engine' the Jaguars with the US-made Honeywell F-125 turbofan engine . However, the plan was scrapped in August 2109, perhaps, due to the high cost. The availability of spare parts for the Jaguar's MK 811 engines has also emerged as an issue over the years, with the jets being scrapped elsewhere. In 2018, however, the IAF acquired 40-odd decommissioned aircraft and cannibalised them for spares. This would also keep Jaguar combat-ready for the foreseeable future. 'Even with engine and avionics upgrades, you still face issues with airframe fatigue. There's only so much of an aircraft you can replace,'saidTim Davis, a former Royal Air Force instructor in an Indian Defence Research Wing report in April this year. In 2024, the Ministry of Defence approached the UK to transfer nine Jaguar aircraft that are no longer in service with the European country, along with a cache of spares. Experts like Thakur, however, suggest that retiring IAF Jaguars should not be phased out for now. They say the Jaguar phaseout plan could affect the IAF's operational capability, considering the relentless depletion of its fighter inventory. 'It could be retained in service longer than currently projected to prevent the unacceptable depletion of IAF fighter aircraft inventory,' wrote Thakur. Even with engine and avionics upgrades, you still face issues with airframe fatigue. There's only so much of an aircraft you can replace.
Hindustan Times
09-07-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Jaguar fighter jet crash: 'IAF pilot tried his best to…,' recounts eyewitness in Churu
Hours after a Jaguar fighter jet of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed in Rajasthan's Churu on Wednesday, an eyewitness recounted the incident. The crash, which took place in an agricultural field near Bhanoda village around 1.25pm, killed both pilots who were on board. The crash took place in an agricultural field near Bhanoda village around 1.25 pm.(ANI ) The man, who claimed to have seen the incident unfold, said he was sitting in his field when he saw plumes of smoke rising. He said a diary of the IAF was found at the site and handed over to the local station house officer (SHO). '...Pilot tried his best to protect the village, I can say it for sure,' ANI quoted the eyewitness as saying. The Jaguar aircraft had taken off from Suratgarh air base and was on a routine training mission, according to local authorities. '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,' the IAF said in a post on X. The IAF further said that no damage to any civil property had been reported in the crash. 'IAF deeply regrets the loss of lives and stands firmly with the bereaved families in this time of grief. A court of inquiry has been constituted, to ascertain the cause of the accident,' the air force said. In the aftermath of the incident, Rajaldesar SHO Kamlesh said human body parts had been recovered from the site of the crash. He said the local authorities were coordinating with defence officials and rescue personnel. This is the third such incident in 2025 involving a Jaguar aircraft. In March, a Jaguar aircraft crashed near Haryana's Ambala during a sortie. The pilot safely ejected after steering the jet away from civilian areas. A month later, in April, another twin-seater Jaguar crashed near Jamnagar shortly after takeoff during a night mission. After the aircraft encountered a technical malfunction, both pilots ejected. Squadron Leader Siddharth Yadav lost his life due to the injuries sustained during ejection, while the other pilot survived.
Mint
09-07-2025
- General
- Mint
IAF Jet Crash: Inducted in 1970s, are Jaguar aircraft ‘too old' to fly or 'aging like a fine wine'?
IAF Jet Crash: Two fighter pilots were killed after a Jaguar aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed near Churu in Rajasthan on Wednesday, July 9. The plane crashed in an agricultural field in Bhanoda village around 1.25 pm, police 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 said in a post on X. The Air Forces said it 'deeply regrets' the loss of lives and constituted a court of inquiry to ascertain the cause of the accident. Wednesday's accident is the third mishap involving a Jaguar since March this year. On March 7, an Anglo-French SEPECAT Jaguar ground attack fighter crashed near Panchkula during a routine sortie. On April 3, another Jaguar jet crashed in Gujarat's Jamnagar. Flight Lieutenant Siddharth Yadav, the pilot of the aircraft, died in the crash. These back-to-back accidents raise concerns about the safety of India's aging Jaguar combat fleet, which has been operational for five decades now. The Jaguars were inducted into the IAF in the 1970s. Today, the IAF is the world's only air force that continues to operate some six squadrons of the Anglo-French twin-engine Jaguar IS/IB/IM variants. Britain, Ecuador, France, Oman and Nigeria have all retired their Jaguar fighters years ago The first batch of 40 Jaguars—Shamsher—was inducted into the IAF in fly-away condition beginning in1979. Thereafter, via a transfer of technology, another 100-odd were licence-built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) until 2008. According to media reports, Jaguars have been involved in over 50 accidents, including recent ones, over the years. Past probes into mishaps pointed to engine failure, raising questions about the longevity of these warbirds. At times, analysts linked their 'under-powered' Rolls-Royce-Turbomecca Adour Mk811 engines to the mishaps. For years, the Ministry of Defence (MoD), has been planning to 're-engine' the Jaguars with the US-made Honeywell F-125IN turbofan power pack. However, the plan was scrapped in August 2109, perhaps, due to the high cost. Now, the IAF is expected to begin phasing out its older Jaguar models after 2027-28. But amid delays in acquiring the HAL Tejas Mk2, Rafale, and Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft, it is left with little choice but to extend the life of these outdated planes. The complete phasing out is scheduled by 2035-2040, according to media reports. 'India is flying Jaguars because India has no other choice. We don't make any aircraft, we only have to buy. The process of buying and selecting is cumbersome. We are also short of squadrons. We are supposed to have 40 + and we are down to about 30. Jaguar like other aircrafts has crashed. I would not call it very dangerous,' Wing Commander Praful Bakshi (Retd) told a TV channel in the April crash. 'Yes, we are using them. They are too old,' he told the TV channel. Military analyst and retired Jaguar pilot squadron leader Vijainder K Thakur, however, suggests that retiring IAF Jaguars, which, according to him, are 'aging like a fine wine,' would not be a welcome move. Thakur suggests that, considering the relentless depletion of the IAF's fighter inventory, the Jaguar phaseout plan could affect the IAF's operational capability. 'One reason why the Jaguar has remained relevant is that the IAF has adopted the fighter for medium-altitude stand-off strikes. We will look at the Jaguar's medium altitude strike capability later in this narrative,' Thakur wrote in EurAsian Times last September. Thakur argued that the Russia-Ukraine conflict emphasised the continued relevance of a fighter jet like the Jaguar. The conflict has illustrated that low-level penetration of contested airspace by attack aircraft is far safer than medium-altitude penetration because of the widespread use of and increased capabilities of Air Defence systems, he said. The Jaguar is now a potent platform despite being somewhat underpowered. In India, during the Kargil War in 1999, the SEPECAT Jaguar played a significant role, particularly in reconnaissance and precision strikes. Jaguars were used for both reconnaissance and bombing missions then. According to Thakur, since its initial induction into the IAF, 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. The Inertial Nav-Attack System Integration Organisation (IIO), a multiagency unit established by the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO), IAF, and HAL, first built the DARIN system in the 1980s. In 2008, for example, HAL, the state-owned military plane maker, decided to upgrade 68 so-called 'deep penetration' Jaguar fighters with modern avionics in a contract valued at more than ₹ 2,400 crore, which will increase the fighter planes' life and efficacy. '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.
News18
09-07-2025
- General
- 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.
