Another Jaguar crash. Another reminder. Another near-miss with tragedy. On July 8, yet another Indian Air Force Jaguar fighter jet came hurtling down into the sands of Rajasthan, marking the third such crash this year alone, and the 24th since 2024. It isn’t just a pattern; it’s a glaring red flag. India, the only country still flying Jaguars, must now ask a tough but necessary question: Should we finally ground this aging warhorse before it becomes a flying coffin? The Jaguar fleet was inducted into the IAF over four decades ago, beginning in 1979 with British-built variants and later followed by Indian-assembled models through Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Known as Shamsher or “Sword of Justice,” the aircraft once held pride of place in India’s strike capabilities. But what was once cutting-edge has now become a liability in the sky. And, no amount of nostalgia or HAL-led modernization can change the fact that these aircraft are older than many of the pilots flying them. Their Rolls-Royce Adour Mk811 engines—already infamous for underperformance—have not aged well. Numerous defence experts have long pointed out that the Jaguars are severely underpowered, especially in high-altitude, hot-weather conditions typical to India’s operational environment. Poor thrust means compromised speed, agility, and payload capacity—crucial factors in any modern combat scenario. The IAF had once proposed replacing the Jaguar’s underwhelming engines with Honeywell’s more powerful F125-IN turbofans. But after a decade of dithering and cost evaluations, the plan was shelved in 2019. At Rs 190 crore per aircraft, the re-engineering program was deemed too expensive. The irony? We’re now burning crores on maintenance, parts, and worse, losing millions more with every crash, not to mention risking precious lives and morale.
Let us not forget, France, Britain, Ecuador, Oman, and Nigeria—all former operators of the Jaguar—have long retired them. The US too, continues to modernize, but not by stretching obsolete platforms beyond their lifespan. Only India persists in clinging to the past, reluctant to cut its losses even as the risks escalate. Is HAL capable of modernizing Jaguars? Technically, perhaps. But at what cost, and for how long? The upgrades—avionics, AESA radar, weapons systems—can’t disguise the fact that the airframe and engine design date back to the 1960s. That’s simply too old in an era defined by 5th-generation stealth fighters, hypersonic weapons, and AI-integrated drones. More than a question of hardware, this is a matter of strategic clarity. Prime Minister Modi has rightly prioritized defence modernization—from the Rafale jets to indigenously-built Tejas fighters, from Project 75 submarines to enhanced border surveillance systems. But the gap between policy intent and budgetary reality remains. India’s defence budget, at around 2% of GDP, is still modest for a country surrounded by two nuclear-armed adversaries. If we truly want Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence, we must back it with serious funding and swifter decision-making. The Jaguar’s legacy deserves respect, but not at the cost of current and future airpower. As one former test pilot bluntly put it, “Jaguar is the new MiG-21.” And we all know how that story ended: years of delay, dozens of crashes, and avoidable deaths. India needs to draw the line—clearly and now. Either invest in rapid replacements or reallocate resources toward Tejas Mk2, AMCA, or joint platforms with global partners. Continuing to operate Jaguars is not modernization; it’s a dangerous illusion. Enough is enough. The skies demand speed, strength, and certainty—not sentiment. It’s time we grounded the Jaguar. Not tomorrow. Today.
