UK Transfers Nine Retired Jaguar Aircraft to India to Support IAF Fleet Sustainability
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has acquired nine retired Jaguar attack aircraft from the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence. This acquisition is aimed at maintaining the operational capacity of its current Jaguar fleet.
The delivery includes five Jaguar GR1 models and four Jaguar T2 trainer variants. While these aircraft are no longer operational, they will be utilized for spare parts and components, helping to improve the serviceability of India's existing Jaguars.
This initiative occurs as India stands as the last country still operating the Jaguar strike aircraft, known locally as Shamsher. With the discontinuation of the aircraft's production many years ago, obtaining original spare parts has become increasingly difficult. Consequently, the Indian Air Force has been procuring parts from countries that previously operated Jaguars to prolong the aircraft's service life.
The United Kingdom phased out its Jaguar fleet in 2007 in a move to reduce defense expenditures, leaving 42 retired Jaguars in storage. The recent transfer of nine aircraft aligns with plans initially disclosed in 2024.
The Jaguar was developed by the SEPECAT consortium, a collaborative Franco-British initiative, and was introduced into the Royal Air Force in 1974. It was built for low-level strike and reconnaissance missions, participating in combat during the 1991 Gulf War and subsequent operations across Iraq and the Balkans.
In India, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has been producing the Jaguar under a licensing agreement. The aircraft remains a crucial deep-penetration strike asset within the Indian Air Force's arsenal.
