During a training sortie, an Indian Air Force (IAF) Jaguar fighter jet encountered a technical malfunction and crashed near Panchkula in Haryana. The incident occurred shortly after takeoff from the Ambala airbase, one of the IAF’s oldest and most active bases, also home for the Jaguars and Rafales. Fortunately, the pilot could eject safely and was later evacuated by IAF personnel. Before making it out of the jet, he steered it away from populated areas. Thus no casualties were caused.
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The Crash Site Had Scattered Debris And Fire
The aircraft’s remains were seen scattered across a forest area near Raipur Rani in Panchkula. This location lies close to the border with Himachal Pradesh. A video circulating online shows the wreckage and highlights the severity of the crash. Scattered debris and flames can be seen in it.
#FLASH : An IAF Jaguar fighter jet has crashed near Ambala. The pilot ejected safely and is reported to be unharmed. @IAF_MCC
— The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) March 7, 2025
Investigation into the cause of the crash is underway.
Reports @Nihal_kumar0045 #IAF #Jaguar #Ambala #BreakingNews pic.twitter.com/d0mu6HU69i
Immediate Response And Pilot Safety
According to an official statement by the IAF, the crash was the result of a system malfunction during a training sortie. The pilot demonstrated quick thinking by manoeuvring the aircraft away from populated areas before ejecting. Nearby residents assisted the pilot by helping him free himself from his parachute harness. An IAF spokesperson confirmed that the pilot was taken to a hospital for further medical attention. Reports also say that he had no major injuries.
Official Investigation Launched
The IAF has launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the malfunction. It is expected to be thorough, reviewing maintenance records and the technical systems of the ageing Jaguar fleet.
A Jaguar aircraft of the IAF crashed at Ambala, during a routine training sortie today, after encountering system malfunction. The pilot maneuvered the aircraft away from any habitation on ground, before ejecting safely.
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) March 7, 2025
An inquiry has been ordered by the IAF, to ascertain the…
It will take time, as experts will need to examine whether the system failure was an isolated incident or part of a broader issue affecting these aircraft.
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SEPECAT Jaguar Fighter Jet And The Indian Air Force
The SEPECAT Jaguar fighter jet has been a key element of IAF’s combat and reconnaissance capabilities for over 45 years. The aircraft, introduced in 1979, has been involved in more than 50 incidents—both major and minor. Some of these even resulted in fatalities. The Air Force currently operates around 120 twin-engine Jaguars across six squadrons (Nos. 5, 6, 14, 16, 27, and 224) based at Ambala, Jamnagar, and Gorakhpur.
SEPECAT is a Franco-British joint venture that developed ‘Jaguar’ as a supersonic attack aircraft for close air support and nuclear strike roles. Jaguars served in Royal Air Force and the French Air Force for long. Now, India is the only country that has these in their air defence fleet! These are expected to be around until 2034.
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Time To Ground Jaguars?
The latest incident has once again highlighted the difficulties of operating the ageing fleet- strenuous maintenance and reduced availability of spare parts. Many experts and former IAF personnel have long warned that the Jaguars are operating well beyond their prime. The IAF has also been trying to acquire spare parts and source surplus airframes to keep these flying, but these are only temporary fixes.
With several aircraft platforms nearing the end of their operational tenures and lifecycles, IAF seems to face growing challenges in staying combat-ready. The investigation into this crash could prompt faster upgrades or replacements to the Jaguar fleet.
