A Jaguar fighter jet of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed in Ambala during a routine training sortie due to a system malfunction. The incident occurred as the experienced pilot skillfully maneuvered the aircraft away from populated areas before safely ejecting from the jet.
Local villagers rushed to the crash site, offering immediate assistance to the pilot. They helped him extract himself from the parachute harness just before personnel from the IAF arrived. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties or damage to civilian property in the vicinity of the crash.
In response to the incident, the IAF has initiated a Court of Inquiry to investigate the exact cause of the crash.
The Jaguar aircraft has been a significant aspect of India’s airpower since its induction into service in 1979. Originally acquired from the United Kingdom, the aircraft is designed for deep penetration strikes, reconnaissance missions, and some limited anti-ship operations. Despite being an older model, the IAF has continued to enhance the Jaguar fleet through upgrades, particularly under the DARIN (Display Attack Ranging Inertial Navigation) program, which modernizes its avionics.
While the Jaguar was once considered for nuclear strike capabilities, operational challenges have since diminished its suitability for such roles. Nonetheless, it remains an effective asset, particularly suited for precision strikes in difficult terrains.
This recent crash adds to a growing list of incidents involving the aging Jaguar fleet. Plans to re-engine the aircraft with Honeywell’s F125IN engines were abandoned due to budget limitations. Nevertheless, the IAF persists in its efforts to update and maintain its Jaguar aircraft to prolong their operational lifespan.
The IAF operates these aircraft from several squadrons, including the No. 5 Squadron “Tuskers” based in Ambala and the No. 6 Squadron “Dragons” located at Jamnagar.
With the occurrence of this latest incident, discussions surrounding the long-term viability of the Jaguar fleet are likely to revive, especially as India advances its modernization program with newer aircraft, such as the Rafale and the indigenous Tejas fighter jets.
