Jaguar fighter aircraft from Ambala air base crashes in Panchkula, pilot ejects safely

The IAF has experienced several incidents involving its fleet of SEPECAT Jaguar aircraft in recent years, highlighting the challenges of maintaining an aging fleet.

The Jaguar, a British-French supersonic jet attack aircraft, has been a mainstay of the IAF since the late 1970s, primarily used for deep penetration strikes and ground attack roles. However, as the aircraft ages, technical malfunctions have contributed to a series of crashes.

Looking back over the past few years, other notable Jaguar crashes include an incident on January 28, 2019, in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh. The aircraft, which had taken off from Gorakhpur Air Force Station, crashed shortly after departure due to a suspected technical snag. The pilot ejected safely, and the plane came down in a field, avoiding residential areas. A Court of Inquiry was established to investigate, with initial reports suggesting the pilot’s quick decision-making minimised potential harm.

Another significant crash took place on June 5, 2018, near Mundra in Gujarat’s Kutch region. This incident was tragic, as it resulted in the death of Air Commodore Sanjai Chauhan, a highly experienced test pilot and the Air Officer Commanding of Jamnagar Air Force Station. The Jaguar went down during a routine training mission shortly after departing from Jamnagar, and despite Chauhan’s extensive experience – over 2,000 hours on the Jaguar alone – the crash proved fatal. A Court of Inquiry was again ordered, though specific findings were not widely publicised.

Just days later, on June 8, 2018, another Jaguar encountered trouble near Jamnagar. During landing, the aircraft developed a snag, leading to a minor accident. The pilot ejected safely, and the damage was limited, with the aircraft coming to rest off the runway. This rapid succession of incidents raised concerns about the Jaguar fleet’s reliability, prompting scrutiny of its maintenance and operational protocols.

These crashes underscore the challenges faced by the IAF with its Jaguar fleet, which now numbers around 121 aircraft. The jets, acquired starting in 1979, are undergoing upgrades like the DARIN III (Display Attack Ranging Inertial Navigation) system to extend their service life. However, issues such as underpowered engines (Adour Mk811) and aging airframes persist, exacerbated by budget constraints that have delayed engine upgrades. The IAF has resorted to cannibalising parts from retired airframes to maintain squadron serviceability, reflecting the strain on resources.

Despite these incidents, the Jaguar remains a critical asset for the IAF, with plans to phase out the oldest aircraft between 2028 and 2031, replacing them with modern alternatives like the HAL Tejas Mk1A. The recurring crashes, while concerning, have largely been mitigated by pilot training and ejection systems, ensuring minimal loss of life. Each incident has prompted detailed investigations, though public disclosure of findings is often limited, leaving the precise causes –whether mechanical failure, human error, or external factors like bird strikes – open to speculation.