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Jaguar Crash Near Churu: A Closer Look at the IAF’s Aging Strike Fleet and Future Plan
The SEPECAT Jaguar, which has been part of the Indian Air Force (IAF) since the late 1970s, continues to serve in combat and training roles despite nearing the end of its service life. The recent crash of a Jaguar near Churu, Rajasthan, has sparked renewed attention to the aircraft’s current status and the IAF’s broader modernization efforts.
Jaguar Fleet Status as of 2025
The IAF currently operates an estimated 115 Jaguar aircraft, a reduction from the 140 inducted over nearly three decades between 1979 and 2008. These aircraft were either imported or assembled under license by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
Out of this total, about 83 Jaguars remain operational, putting the availability rate at just over 70%. The rest are either under maintenance or retired from active service.
Jaguar Variants and Their Roles
The Jaguar platform supports multiple variants, each tailored to specific operational needs:
- Jaguar IS: The primary single-seat version used for deep-strike and ground-attack missions. Nearly 78 aircraft in this configuration remain active.
- Jaguar IB: The two-seat variant, primarily used for pilot training and transition exercises. The IAF currently operates around 27 of these.
- Jaguar IM: A specialized maritime strike version, with 8 aircraft dedicated to anti-ship roles, mainly deployed with coastal squadrons.
Squadron Allocation
The Jaguar fleet is distributed across six operational squadrons:
- Four strike squadrons: No. 5, 14, 16, and 27
- One maritime strike squadron: No. 6
- One mixed-role unit, which includes both trainer and combat aircraft, is designated as No. 224. No. 224
Typically, each squadron fields around 20 aircraft, allowing a mix of mission readiness and instructional operations.
IAF’s Fleet Renewal with Rafale Fighters
To address fleet attrition and replace aging platforms like the Jaguar, the IAF is in the process of acquiring 40 additional Rafale fighter jets. These will supplement the 36 already inducted, bringing the total Rafale strength to 76 aircraft.
These advanced jets are expected to strengthen the IAF’s air dominance, with the goal of eventually retiring older platforms in a phased manner.
The Indian Air Force officially contracted the Rafale through a direct government-to-government deal with France in 2016, worth approximately €7.8 billion, after originally selecting it through the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) program in 2007. All 36 aircraft under that agreement were delivered by the end of 2022.
In addition, India initiated the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) project in 2018 to acquire 114 new combat aircraft. However, the process has seen limited progress, and no procurement has been finalized as of mid-2025.
The decision to directly acquire more Rafales is considered a practical move to avoid delays tied to lengthy tenders and to take advantage of the existing infrastructure and pilot training ecosystem already developed for the Rafale platform.
Indian Navy’s Rafale Marine Acquisition
Alongside the IAF’s expansion, the Indian Navy has also advanced its modernization efforts. In early 2025, India approved the procurement of 26 Rafale M (Marine) jets from France’s Dassault Aviation for carrier operations.
This order includes 22 single-seat fighters for use on aircraft carriers like the INS Vikrant and 4 twin-seat variants for land-based pilot training, as the two-seater Rafale M is not configured for carrier launches.
With this move, India becomes the first foreign operator of the Rafale M, a platform previously exclusive to the French Navy.
This new production run marks the first time Rafale Marine jets have been manufactured since 2017, when the final units were delivered to France.
Deliveries are expected to begin within four years of contract signing, with full operational capability projected by 2031.
