New Delhi: The Indian Air Force’s ageing Jaguar fighter fleet has suffered its third crash in just four months, with the latest incident on July 9 in Rajasthan’s Churu district claiming at least two lives on the ground, according to early reports.
The repeated mishaps have raised urgent questions about operational safety, aircraft maintenance, and the future of legacy platforms in the IAF’s arsenal.
March 7, 2025 – Haryana
A Jaguar fighter jet crashed near Ambala, Haryana. Fortunately, the pilot managed to eject safely after the aircraft suffered a technical failure mid-flight. The crash caused no civilian casualties, but the incident triggered initial concerns over the reliability of the platform.
April 2, 2025 – Gujarat
A twin-seater Jaguar trainer jet of the IAF crashed during a night training mission near Suvarda village in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The aircraft had just taken off from the Jamnagar air base when it reportedly developed a technical malfunction.
Both pilots ejected, but one of them — Flight Lieutenant Siddharth Yadav — tragically succumbed to injuries sustained during the ejection. The second pilot sustained injuries but survived. This crash shook the defence establishment, with many pointing to the mounting toll of technical failures.
#BREAKING: Suratgarh | Jaguar trainer jet of the Indian Air Force crashes near Churu, Rajasthan. Third Jaguar crash in 4 months.
Reports @2025Nihal #IAF #JaguarCrash #Rajasthan #Churu #BreakingNews pic.twitter.com/14e0UyC26G
— The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) July 9, 2025
July 9, 2025 – Rajasthan
Today, a twin-seater Jaguar trainer aircraft took off from the Suratgarh air base and crashed shortly after near Bhanuda village in Churu district, Rajasthan.
According to defence sources:
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The aircraft was on a routine training sortie.
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Both pilots’ conditions are currently being verified.
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Two civilians on the ground have reportedly been killed as a result of the crash, though an official statement is awaited.
Eyewitnesses described a fireball in the sky and thick plumes of smoke as the jet slammed into an open field near a populated area. IAF helicopters were quickly deployed to the scene for rescue and retrieval.
Ageing Fleet, Rising Risk
The SEPECAT Jaguar, inducted into the Indian Air Force in the late 1970s, was once considered a mainstay of India’s deep penetration strike capability. However, decades later, the aircraft—despite multiple upgrades—is now among the oldest platforms still in operation.
Experts and defence analysts have repeatedly flagged the rising maintenance costs, spare part shortages, and airframe fatigue issues with the Jaguar fleet. Each crash has intensified demands for faster modernisation and retirement of ageing fighter jets.
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“This is no longer a coincidence. Three Jaguar crashes in four months is a red flag for India’s defence preparedness,” said a senior IAF veteran, requesting anonymity. “Lives are being lost. We need a serious audit of our flight safety protocols and fleet status.”
IAF Response Awaited
The Indian Air Force is expected to issue a formal statement soon. A Court of Inquiry has been ordered into the latest crash, as is standard protocol.
With India focusing on indigenisation efforts like the Tejas Mk1A and the upcoming AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft), many are calling for accelerated phasing out of legacy fleets like the Jaguar to prevent further tragedies.
