IAF Jaguar Fighter Crashes in Rajasthan’s Churu — Third Jaguar Loss in 2025
A Jaguar fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed on Wednesday morning near Churu in Rajasthan, close to the India–Pakistan border. This marks the third Jaguar crash in the first half of 2025 and the fifth overall IAF aircraft accident this year.
The twin-seater Jaguar had taken off from Suratgarh Air Force Base before it went down near Ratangarh town. Emergency teams from the IAF and local police quickly reached the crash site. Unfortunately, both pilots aboard the aircraft were confirmed dead.
In an official statement, the IAF said:
“An IAF Jaguar Trainer aircraft met with an accident during a routine training mission and crashed near Churu in Rajasthan today. Both pilots sustained fatal injuries. No civil property was damaged. The IAF deeply regrets the loss of lives and stands with the bereaved families in this difficult time. A Court of Inquiry has been constituted to determine the cause of the accident.”
Five Crashes in Seven Months Raise Alarms
The incident in Churu adds to a growing list of aircraft mishaps this year:
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Feb 6 – Mirage 2000 trainer crash near Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh; pilots ejected safely.
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Mar 7 – Jaguar fighter crash near Panchkula, Haryana; pilot survived.
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Mar 7 – An-32 transport aircraft incident during landing at Bagdogra Air Base; no injuries.
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Apr 2 – Jaguar trainer crash near Jamnagar, Gujarat; one pilot killed, one ejected safely.
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Jul 9 – The most recent Jaguar crash near Churu, Rajasthan.
The repeated loss of Jaguar aircraft in non-combat situations has drawn scrutiny toward the platform’s ageing airframes and overall airworthiness.
Jaguar Fleet Under Pressure
The Jaguar has served the IAF since the 1980s as a deep penetration strike aircraft. Currently, India operates around 120 Jaguars across six squadrons. While many of these aircraft have received avionics and navigation upgrades, the fleet continues to age, demanding frequent and intensive maintenance.
This year’s three Jaguar crashes occurred during routine training missions, not in combat or high-stress scenarios, prompting questions about technical reliability and structural fatigue.
Crash Rates Down, But Legacy Fighters Still at Risk
Despite these incidents, the Ministry of Defence maintains that the IAF’s overall crash rate has improved significantly:
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2000–2005: 0.93 crashes per 10,000 flight hours
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2017–2022: 0.27 crashes per 10,000 flight hours
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2020–2024: 0.20 crashes per 10,000 flight hours
This improvement is attributed to technological upgrades, refined pilot training protocols, and better safety checks. Between 2017 and 2022, the IAF conducted 34 crash investigations, which led to several procedural and technical reforms.
However, experts caution that while the helicopter fleet has become safer, older fighter aircraft like the Jaguar and MiG-21 remain vulnerable due to age, outdated systems, and the slow pace of fleet replacement.
Modernisation and Squadron Readiness
India is planning to phase in new fighter jets such as the Rafale, Tejas Mk-2, and the upcoming Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). However, due to a shortage of operational squadrons—the IAF currently operates below the sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons—aging platforms like the Jaguar are being retained longer than intended.
While stopgap upgrades can help maintain capability, they often come with higher costs and increasing risks. The recent crashes underscore the urgent need to accelerate fleet modernisation and reduce dependency on legacy aircraft.
Meanwhile, the IAF has ordered a Court of Inquiry into the Churu crash to determine its cause and examine any broader systemic issues affecting the Jaguar fleet.
Written by Defence Expert
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