Indian Air Force Jaguar crash kills 2; renews aging fleet replacement debate 

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has announced that a Jaguar IB trainer aircraft crashed during a routine training mission in Churu district, Rajasthan, India, killing two pilots on board and sparking concerns about the need to replace its aging Jaguar fleet. 

The crash occurred on the afternoon of July 9, 2025, in an agricultural field located in a village close to Churu city in Rajasthan, the largest state in India by land area. The jet reportedly took off from Suratgarh Air Force Station and was en route to conduct a routine training mission. 

According to local eyewitnesses reports a loud sound was heard in the sky, followed by flames and smoke coming from the fields. There have been no reports of damage to any civilian property. Video footage shared on X shows that the aircraft seems to have been completely destroyed and engulfed in flames. 

IAF Jaguar Jet Crashes in Rajasthan’s Churu, Killing Both Pilots During Training MissionOn July 9, 2025, a Jaguar trainer aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed in an agricultural field near Bhanoda village in Churu district, Rajasthan. The incident occurred around 1:25 PM… pic.twitter.com/NbjcOlHNYg— The Tradesman (@The_Tradesman1) July 9, 2025

The Indian Air Force confirmed in a statement that two pilots, Squadron Leader Lokendra Sindhu and Flight Lieutenant Rishi Raj Singh, were on board the Jaguar trainer aircraft and both died during the accident.  

“AF deeply regrets the loss of lives and stands firmly with the bereaved families in this time of grief,” an IAF statement read. 

The IAF stated that a court of inquiry has been constituted to determine the cause of the accident, which is currently unclear. This is the third Jaguar jet crash since March 2025. Previous accidents occurred in Haryana’s Morni Hills and Gujarat’s Jamnagar, which were both attributed to technical issues on Jaguar aircraft. 

The accident reignited debate about the Indian Air Force’s ongoing use of the aging Jaguar fleet, which was first introduced in 1979, making it 46 years old by 2025. 

About the Jaguar 

The SEPECAT Jaguar is a twin-seat, twin-engine ground attack aircraft developed jointly by Britain and France in the 1960s. Designed for close air support and deep penetration strike missions, the Jaguar has served in the IAF since its induction in 1979.  

India operates both single-seat Jaguar IS variants for combat and two-seat Jaguar IB variants for pilot training, although the latter are also combat-capable. The Jaguar has participated in multiple IAF operations, including the 1999 Kargil conflict.  

Although the fleet received avionics upgrades through the Indian Air Force’s DARIN‑III modernization program, ongoing delays, outdated navigation systems and underpowered engines remain major issues. There were plans to redesign the aircraft with Honeywell F125IN engines, but those plans were canceled due to high costs.  

To maintain the Jaguar fleet, the Indian Air Force has been sourcing used aircraft parts and spare parts from United Kingdom and France. The IAF reportedly intends to retire the oldest batch of 60 Jaguar aircraft between 2028 to 2031.  The post Indian Air Force Jaguar crash kills 2; renews aging fleet replacement debate  appeared first on AeroTime.

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