<p>As a Jaguar trainer aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed on Wednesday in Rajasthan's Churu, it reminds of the past similar incidents when the IAF fighter jets crashed in the last two years. Notably, this is the fourth time this year that an IAF fighter jet has crashed.</p><p>From Tejas to Sukhoi 30 MKI, or the Jaguar fighter jet, almost every time, the reason behind the crash has been a "technical snag".</p><h2>Here is the list of recent IAF fighter jet crashes</h2><h3>July 2025</h3><p>On Wednesday (July 9), an IAF aircraft crashed in Rajasthan's Churu. Later, the plane was found in pieces in the region. According to the statement issued by the Indian Air Force, two pilots, who were onboard the Jaguar fighter jet were killed.</p><p>The aircraft took off from Suratgarh air base. The incident happened when a twin-seater trainer version of the Jaguar fighter aircraft crashed near Bhanuda village.</p><h3>April 2025</h3><p>Just three months ago in April, an Indian Air Force Jaguar fighter jet crashed in Gujarat. The jet which was on a training mission, crashed on April 2 near Suvarda village, located 12 km from Jamnagar city, and caught fire.</p><p>The Jaguar broke into pieces and in no time, turned into a ball of fire after the crash, according to the visuals.</p><p>One of the two pilots died in the crash after suffering fatal injuries. Meanwhile, there were no casualties on the ground, according to the IAF statement.</p><h3>March 2025</h3><p>An IAF transport aircraft made a crash landing at Bagdogra in West Bengal in March this year. However, the crew of the AN-32 aircraft escaped unhurt.</p><p>On the same day, another similar incident happened. A Jaguar fighter aircraft crashed in Haryana's Ambala district during a routine training sortie. The pilot escaped safely before the aircraft went down.</p><p>According to the IAF statement, the Jaguar took off from Ambala airbase and crashed due to a system malfunction. "The pilot maneuvered the aircraft away from any habitation on the ground before ejecting safely," the IAF stated.</p><h3>February 2025</h3><p>In February this year, an IAF Mirage 2000 trainer aircraft crashed in Madhya Pradesh's Shivpuri district during a routine training sortie. Fortunately, both pilots were safely ejected before the crash.</p><p>As per the reports, the aircraft suffered a technical malfunction, which led to the crash. There have been concerns over the safety of ageing fighter jets and trainer aircraft.</p><h3>November 2024</h3><p>An MIG-29 fighter jet crashed into a field near Uttar Pradesh's Agra during a routine training sortie in November last year. The IAF and defence officials said that the crash happened due to a technical glitch.</p><p>The pilot ejected himself to safety, and saved himself at the time of the crash.</p><p>This happened, as the plane took off from Adampur in Punjab and was on its way to Agra for an exercise.</p><h3>September 2024</h3><p>An MiG-29 fighter jet of the IAF crashed in Rajasthan in September last year, during a routine night training mission, while the pilot ejected safely.</p><p>The incident that took place in Barmer, happened as the jet suffered a "critical technical snag", according to the Indian Air Force. Moreover, no loss of lives was reported in the incident.</p><h3>June 2024</h3><p>The IAF's Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jet crashed on June 4 near Shirasgaon village of Niphad tehsil in Nashik. According to reports, after the crash, the aircraft caught fire which was extinguished.</p><p>While some parts of the jet were scattered over a 500-metre radius. Both the pilot and co-pilot ejected safely before the crash.</p><p>The aircraft caught fire after the crash, which was later extinguished.</p><h3>March 2024</h3><p>In March last year, a Tejas aircraft crashed near Jaisalmer during an operational training sortie.</p><p>The pilot ejected safely before the crash. A court of inquiry was constituted to figure out the cause of the crash.&nbsp;</p>

From Tejas to Sukhoi 30 MKI, or the Jaguar fighter jet, almost every time, the reason behind the crash has been a "technical snag".

As a Jaguar trainer aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed on Wednesday in Rajasthan's Churu, it reminds of the past similar incidents when the IAF fighter jets crashed in the last two years. Notably, this is the fourth time this year that an IAF fighter jet has crashed. From Tejas to Sukhoi 30 MKI, or the Jaguar fighter jet, almost every time, the reason behind the crash has been a "technical snag". Here is the list of recent IAF fighter jet crashes July 2025 On Wednesday (July 9), an IAF aircraft crashed in Rajasthan's Churu. Later, the plane was found in pieces in the region. According to the statement issued by the Indian Air Force, two pilots, who were onboard the Jaguar fighter jet were killed. The aircraft took off from Suratgarh air base. The incident happened when a twin-seater trainer version of the Jaguar fighter aircraft crashed near Bhanuda village. April 2025 Just three months ago in April, an Indian Air Force Jaguar fighter jet crashed in Gujarat. The jet which was on a training mission, crashed on April 2 near Suvarda village, located 12 km from Jamnagar city, and caught fire. The Jaguar broke into pieces and in no time, turned into a ball of fire after the crash, according to the visuals. One of the two pilots died in the crash after suffering fatal injuries. Meanwhile, there were no casualties on the ground, according to the IAF statement. March 2025 An IAF transport aircraft made a crash landing at Bagdogra in West Bengal in March this year. However, the crew of the AN-32 aircraft escaped unhurt. On the same day, another similar incident happened. A Jaguar fighter aircraft crashed in Haryana's Ambala district during a routine training sortie. The pilot escaped safely before the aircraft went down. According to the IAF statement, the Jaguar took off from Ambala airbase and crashed due to a system malfunction. "The pilot maneuvered the aircraft away from any habitation on the ground before ejecting safely," the IAF stated. February 2025 In February this year, an IAF Mirage 2000 trainer aircraft crashed in Madhya Pradesh's Shivpuri district during a routine training sortie. Fortunately, both pilots were safely ejected before the crash. As per the reports, the aircraft suffered a technical malfunction, which led to the crash. There have been concerns over the safety of ageing fighter jets and trainer aircraft. November 2024 An MIG-29 fighter jet crashed into a field near Uttar Pradesh's Agra during a routine training sortie in November last year. The IAF and defence officials said that the crash happened due to a technical glitch. The pilot ejected himself to safety, and saved himself at the time of the crash. This happened, as the plane took off from Adampur in Punjab and was on its way to Agra for an exercise. September 2024 An MiG-29 fighter jet of the IAF crashed in Rajasthan in September last year, during a routine night training mission, while the pilot ejected safely. The incident that took place in Barmer, happened as the jet suffered a "critical technical snag", according to the Indian Air Force. Moreover, no loss of lives was reported in the incident. June 2024 The IAF's Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jet crashed on June 4 near Shirasgaon village of Niphad tehsil in Nashik. According to reports, after the crash, the aircraft caught fire which was extinguished. While some parts of the jet were scattered over a 500-metre radius. Both the pilot and co-pilot ejected safely before the crash. The aircraft caught fire after the crash, which was later extinguished. March 2024 In March last year, a Tejas aircraft crashed near Jaisalmer during an operational training sortie. The pilot ejected safely before the crash. A court of inquiry was constituted to figure out the cause of the crash.

<p>From Tejas to Sukhoi 30 MKI, or the Jaguar fighter jet, almost every time, the reason behind the crash has been a "technical snag".</p>

From Jaguar to MIG-29: 9 times IAF fighter jets crashed recently - When and how | Details inside

<p>Two Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots lost their lives on Wednesday (July 9) after a Jaguar trainer aircraft crashed in Rajasthan’s Churu district. The jet went down in an agricultural field near Bhanoda village around 1.25 pm. The IAF confirmed the crash in a post on X, stating, “An IAF Jaguar Trainer aircraft met with an accident during a routine training mission… Both pilots sustained fatal injuries. No damage to any civil property has been reported.” A court of inquiry has been ordered to find out what went wrong.</p><p><strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-initially-ignored-then-became-india-s-deep-strike-warrior-how-the-jaguar-finally-won-over-the-indian-air-force-1752056787347"><strong>‘Initially ignored, then became India’s deep-strike warrior’: How the Jaguar finally won over the Indian&nbsp;Air&nbsp;Force</strong></a></p><h2><strong>Third crash this year involving Jaguar</strong></h2><p>This is the third time in 2024 that a Jaguar has crashed.</p><p>On 7 March, a Jaguar went down near Ambala during a routine sortie. The pilot managed to eject in time. Just a month later, on 3 April, another Jaguar crashed in Gujarat’s Jamnagar, tragically killing Flight Lieutenant Siddharth Yadav. In a heroic final act, Yadav reportedly steered the failing jet away from a densely populated area before losing his life. He also managed to eject his co-pilot to safety.</p><h2><strong>Long history of crashes linked to ageing fleet</strong></h2><p>Jaguars have seen more than 50 minor and major crashes since they were inducted into the IAF in 1979. In June 2018, another crash near the Pakistan border also claimed the life of the pilot.</p><p>Many of the crashes have been traced back to technical faults, especially engine failures, raising concerns about the continued use of these ageing jets. Despite regular upgrades, the Jaguar’s design is now over four decades old.</p><h2><strong>Why India still uses Jaguars while others moved on?</strong></h2><p>The Jaguar was originally developed by a joint venture between France’s Breguet and the UK’s British Aircraft Corporation (SEPECAT). Though countries like France, the UK, Oman, and Nigeria have long retired their Jaguar fleets, India continues to fly over 120 of them.</p><p>Most of India’s Jaguars were licence-built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), and they remain part of the country’s nuclear strike capability. The plan is to begin phasing them out from 2027-28, with a complete retirement by 2031. However, India’s shortage of fighter squadrons has left the IAF with few immediate alternatives.</p><p>The IAF currently operates just 30 fighter squadrons, far short of the 42.5 it is supposed to have. With delays in new aircraft acquisitions, like the HAL Tejas Mk1A, the Jaguars are being forced to serve longer than expected.</p>

On 7 March, a Jaguar went down near Ambala during a routine sortie. The pilot managed to eject in time. Just a month later, on 3 April, another Jaguar crashed in Gujarat’s Jamnagar, tragically killing Flight Lieutenant Siddharth Yadav. 

Two Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots lost their lives on Wednesday (July 9) after a Jaguar trainer aircraft crashed in Rajasthan’s Churu district. The jet went down in an agricultural field near Bhanoda village around 1.25 pm. The IAF confirmed the crash in a post on X, stating, “An IAF Jaguar Trainer aircraft met with an accident during a routine training mission… Both pilots sustained fatal injuries. No damage to any civil property has been reported.” A court of inquiry has been ordered to find out what went wrong. Also read: ‘Initially ignored, then became India’s deep-strike warrior’: How the Jaguar finally won over the Indian Air Force Third crash this year involving Jaguar This is the third time in 2024 that a Jaguar has crashed. On 7 March, a Jaguar went down near Ambala during a routine sortie. The pilot managed to eject in time. Just a month later, on 3 April, another Jaguar crashed in Gujarat’s Jamnagar, tragically killing Flight Lieutenant Siddharth Yadav. In a heroic final act, Yadav reportedly steered the failing jet away from a densely populated area before losing his life. He also managed to eject his co-pilot to safety. Long history of crashes linked to ageing fleet Jaguars have seen more than 50 minor and major crashes since they were inducted into the IAF in 1979. In June 2018, another crash near the Pakistan border also claimed the life of the pilot. Many of the crashes have been traced back to technical faults, especially engine failures, raising concerns about the continued use of these ageing jets. Despite regular upgrades, the Jaguar’s design is now over four decades old. Why India still uses Jaguars while others moved on? The Jaguar was originally developed by a joint venture between France’s Breguet and the UK’s British Aircraft Corporation (SEPECAT). Though countries like France, the UK, Oman, and Nigeria have long retired their Jaguar fleets, India continues to fly over 120 of them. Most of India’s Jaguars were licence-built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), and they remain part of the country’s nuclear strike capability. The plan is to begin phasing them out from 2027-28, with a complete retirement by 2031. However, India’s shortage of fighter squadrons has left the IAF with few immediate alternatives. The IAF currently operates just 30 fighter squadrons, far short of the 42.5 it is supposed to have. With delays in new aircraft acquisitions, like the HAL Tejas Mk1A, the Jaguars are being forced to serve longer than expected.

<p>On 7 March, a Jaguar went down near Ambala during a routine sortie. The pilot managed to eject in time. Just a month later, on 3 April, another Jaguar crashed in Gujarat’s Jamnagar, tragically killing Flight Lieutenant Siddharth Yadav.&nbsp;</p>

'Third crash this year': How many times have Jaguar jets crashed in India? Why are they still flying?

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From Jaguar to MIG-29: 9 times IAF fighter jets crashed recently - When and how | Details inside

'Third crash this year': How many times have Jaguar jets crashed in India?