A standard strike mission, about 1,000 km round trip, requires a mix of internal and external fuel. 

<p>A standard strike mission, about 1,000 km round trip, requires a mix of internal and external fuel.&nbsp;</p>

How much fuel does the IAF’s Jaguar fighter jet use per mission?

<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?

<p>Two IAF pilots died in a Jaguar crash on Wednesday (July 9), but the aircraft’s journey into Indian skies began long before, and with no shortage of drama. On Wednesday afternoon, an Indian Air Force (IAF) Jaguar fighter jet crashed in Rajasthan’s Churu district, killing both pilots on board. The aircraft, which had taken off from the Suratgarh air base, went down in an agricultural field in Bhanoda village at around 1:25 p.m., according to police officials.</p><p>The IAF confirmed in a statement, “An IAF Jaguar Trainer aircraft met with an accident during a routine training mission… Both pilots sustained fatal injuries in the accident.” There was no damage reported to civilian property.</p><p><strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-iran-war-how-did-iran-get-american-f-14-tomcats-fighter-jet-and-why-is-it-still-flying-them-years-after-us-retired-them-1750260034881"><strong>How did Iran get American F-14 'Tomcats' fighter jet, and why is it still flying them years after US&nbsp;retired&nbsp;them?</strong></a></p><p>While investigations are underway, the tragedy has reignited interest in the SEPECAT Jaguar, once a modern deep strike aircraft.</p><h2><strong>Here's the story of how Jaguar made its way to IAF</strong></h2><p>Initially, the Indian Air Force wasn’t particularly interested in the Jaguar. Its hopes were pinned on the indigenous HF-24 ‘Marut’, developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). However, after the death of HAL’s chief test pilot in a prototype crash in 1970, it became clear that the Marut wouldn’t meet the IAF’s requirement for a Deep Penetration Strike Aircraft (DPSA). Though the Marut served admirably in the 1971 war, its limitations, mainly in power and avionics, meant the IAF had to look elsewhere. Once the Marut was ruled out, the Jaguar quickly became India’s top choice.</p><h2><strong>SEPECAT Jaguar was initially ignored</strong></h2><p>Interestingly, SEPECAT had pitched the Jaguar to India as early as 1968, even before the aircraft’s maiden flight. But the IAF, still scarred from its poor experience with the Folland Gnat (another British jet), showed no enthusiasm. It even turned down a low-cost offer and barely responded during formal presentations by legendary test pilots Jeffrey Quill and Jimmy Dell.</p><h2><strong>IAF wanted twin engines</strong></h2><p>During the mid-1970s, other competitors like France’s Mirage F1 and Sweden’s Viggen entered the race. However, the IAF wanted a twin-engine aircraft, ruling out both single-engine options. Britain’s then-Prime Minister James Callaghan had to personally assure India there would be no future arms sanctions, a promise that helped make Jaguar’s entry easy.</p><p>After the Emergency period, the new government pushed ahead with the DPSA project. An Indian team visited France, Sweden, and the UK in early 1978. By October that year, the government officially selected the Jaguar. British Aerospace (BAe) had already formed, consolidating several major aviation firms. A deal was signed in April 1979 for around 130 aircraft, including licence production in India and technology transfer.</p><h2><strong>Arrival of the Jaguar</strong></h2><p>On 27 July 1979, the first two Jaguars landed in India. These aircraft ushered in a new phase for the IAF, replacing outdated platforms like the Canberra and the Hunter. The Jaguar gave India its much-needed edge in low-level interdiction and deep-strike missions.</p>

The IAF confirmed in a statement, “An IAF Jaguar Trainer aircraft met with an accident during a routine training mission… Both pilots sustained fatal injuries in the accident.” There was no damage reported to civilian property.

Two IAF pilots died in a Jaguar crash on Wednesday (July 9), but the aircraft’s journey into Indian skies began long before, and with no shortage of drama. On Wednesday afternoon, an Indian Air Force (IAF) Jaguar fighter jet crashed in Rajasthan’s Churu district, killing both pilots on board. The aircraft, which had taken off from the Suratgarh air base, went down in an agricultural field in Bhanoda village at around 1:25 p.m., according to police officials. The IAF confirmed in a statement, “An IAF Jaguar Trainer aircraft met with an accident during a routine training mission… Both pilots sustained fatal injuries in the accident.” There was no damage reported to civilian property. Also read: How did Iran get American F-14 'Tomcats' fighter jet, and why is it still flying them years after US retired them? While investigations are underway, the tragedy has reignited interest in the SEPECAT Jaguar, once a modern deep strike aircraft. Here's the story of how Jaguar made its way to IAF Initially, the Indian Air Force wasn’t particularly interested in the Jaguar. Its hopes were pinned on the indigenous HF-24 ‘Marut’, developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). However, after the death of HAL’s chief test pilot in a prototype crash in 1970, it became clear that the Marut wouldn’t meet the IAF’s requirement for a Deep Penetration Strike Aircraft (DPSA). Though the Marut served admirably in the 1971 war, its limitations, mainly in power and avionics, meant the IAF had to look elsewhere. Once the Marut was ruled out, the Jaguar quickly became India’s top choice. SEPECAT Jaguar was initially ignored Interestingly, SEPECAT had pitched the Jaguar to India as early as 1968, even before the aircraft’s maiden flight. But the IAF, still scarred from its poor experience with the Folland Gnat (another British jet), showed no enthusiasm. It even turned down a low-cost offer and barely responded during formal presentations by legendary test pilots Jeffrey Quill and Jimmy Dell. IAF wanted twin engines During the mid-1970s, other competitors like France’s Mirage F1 and Sweden’s Viggen entered the race. However, the IAF wanted a twin-engine aircraft, ruling out both single-engine options. Britain’s then-Prime Minister James Callaghan had to personally assure India there would be no future arms sanctions, a promise that helped make Jaguar’s entry easy. After the Emergency period, the new government pushed ahead with the DPSA project. An Indian team visited France, Sweden, and the UK in early 1978. By October that year, the government officially selected the Jaguar. British Aerospace (BAe) had already formed, consolidating several major aviation firms. A deal was signed in April 1979 for around 130 aircraft, including licence production in India and technology transfer. Arrival of the Jaguar On 27 July 1979, the first two Jaguars landed in India. These aircraft ushered in a new phase for the IAF, replacing outdated platforms like the Canberra and the Hunter. The Jaguar gave India its much-needed edge in low-level interdiction and deep-strike missions.

<p>The IAF confirmed in a statement, “An IAF Jaguar Trainer aircraft met with an accident during a routine training mission… Both pilots sustained fatal injuries in the accident.” There was no damage reported to civilian property.</p>

‘Initially ignored, then became India’s deep-strike warrior’: How the Jaguar finally won over the Indian Air Force

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How much fuel does the IAF’s Jaguar fighter jet use per mission?

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

From ignored to deep-strike warrior: How the Jaguar won over Indian Air Force