The Indian Air Force (IAF) is facing tough questions about the SEPECAT Jaguar fighter jet, first used in 1979. On July 9, 2025, a Jaguar trainer aircraft crashed near Churu, Rajasthan, killing two pilots. This was the third crash this year, with over 50 accidents in the jet’s 46 years of service. People are now asking if these old jets are safe and reliable enough to keep flying. This article explains the crashes, the jet’s problems, and whether it’s time for India to replace it.
Three Crashes in 2025
The Churu crash is the latest in a string of accidents. On March 7, a Jaguar crashed near Ambala, Haryana, during a training flight. The pilot ejected safely after guiding the jet away from homes. On April 2, another crash near Jamnagar, Gujarat, killed Flight Lieutenant Siddharth Yadav, who steered the jet to avoid civilian areas. In the Churu incident, Squadron Leader Lokendra and Flight Lieutenant Rishi died after a technical failure during a low-altitude training mission.
These crashes have upset many people. On social media platform X, users are sharing their anger with hashtags like #JaguarCrash, asking why the IAF still uses these nearly 50-year-old jets.
The Jaguar’s History and Problems
The SEPECAT Jaguar, nicknamed “Shamsher” (Sword of Justice), was made in the 1960s by the UK and France. India got 40 Jaguars from the UK in 1979 and built 120 more with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Today, the IAF has about 115-120 Jaguars in six squadrons, making India the only country still using them.
The Jaguar is important for India’s defense, especially for low-flying attack missions and carrying nuclear weapons. It helped during the 1999 Kargil War with accurate strikes and photos, and in 2019, it tricked Pakistani F-16s during the Balakot strikes. Upgrades like DARIN navigation systems and ELM-2025 radar have kept it useful, but the jet has big issues.
Its Rolls-Royce/Turbomeca Adour Mk811 engines are weak, especially in India’s hot and high-altitude areas like the Himalayas. This makes flying harder during take-off, climbing, or low-altitude missions. Over 50 crashes have happened because of engine problems. The Jaguar also lacks automatic ejection seats, unlike newer jets like the Rafale or Su-30MKI. Pilots must manually trigger the ejection seat, which is tough at low altitudes or if they’re confused, as seen in the Churu crash.
Why Does the IAF Keep Using Jaguars?
The IAF needs the Jaguars because it doesn’t have enough fighter jets. It has only 30 squadrons but needs 42.5 to be fully ready. New jets like the HAL Tejas Mk2, more Rafales, or Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) are delayed, so the IAF plans to use Jaguars until 2027-28, with full retirement by 2031-35.
A plan to upgrade the engines with Honeywell’s F125-IN turbofans was canceled in 2019 because it cost too much (about ₹190 crore per jet). Instead, the IAF added new electronics, radar warning systems, and smart weapons to keep the jets working. Military expert Squadron Leader Vijainder K. Thakur says the Jaguar is still good for low-flying attack missions, like those seen in the Russia-Ukraine war.
Safety Issues and Public Anger
The crashes have led to comparisons with the MiG-21, called the “flying coffin” for its many accidents. With over 50 Jaguar crashes, people worry the jets are too old and hard to maintain. The lack of automatic ejection seats is a major problem, especially after the Churu crash, where both pilots died despite trying to avoid civilian areas.
On X, users are frustrated. For example, @NasirKhuehami asked why India flies “half-century-old jets,” and @AK_Aspire said trusting Jaguars is like driving a 40-year-old car. The IAF has promised investigations, but people want faster action to replace the jets.
What’s Next for the IAF?
The IAF must balance keeping enough jets ready for missions while switching to newer ones. The Jaguar will eventually be retired, but delays in building the Tejas Mk2 and AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft) make this hard. Buying more Rafales or speeding up MRFA purchases could help, but money and slow decisions are problems.
For now, the IAF is buying old Jaguar parts from France, the UK, and Oman to keep the jets flying. Experts say India needs newer jets with better safety features, like automatic ejection seats and stronger engines, to protect pilots and stay ready for threats.
Conclusion
The SEPECAT Jaguar has been a key part of India’s air force, from Kargil to Balakot, but the third crash in 2025 shows it may be too old to keep flying. The deaths of brave pilots like Siddharth Yadav, Lokendra, and Rishi are a reminder that India needs to act fast. Replacing the Jaguar with modern jets is not just about staying strong but also about keeping pilots safe.
Last Updated on: Thursday, July 10, 2025 3:00 am by K Nikhil | Published by: K Nikhil on Thursday, July 10, 2025 3:00 am | News Categories: India News
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