Jaguar Fighter Jet Crashes in Panchkula, Pilot Safe
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Synopsis
On March 7, a Jaguar fighter aircraft from the Indian Air Force crashed near Morni in Panchkula, Haryana. Thankfully, the pilot ejected safely. The incident occurred during a training sortie from Ambala airbase, prompting a Court of Inquiry. The Jaguar, known for its combat capabilities, has been in service since the 1980s.
Key Takeaways
- Jaguar fighter aircraft crashed in Panchkula.
- Pilot ejected safely during the incident.
- Court of Inquiry launched to investigate.
- Aircraft in service since the 1980s in India.
- Planned phase-out by the end of the decade.
Chandigarh, March 7 (NationPress) A Jaguar fighter aircraft belonging to the Indian Air Force (IAF) met with an accident near Morni in Panchkula district of Haryana on Friday; however, the pilot successfully ejected and is reported safe, according to officials.
The aircraft had departed from the Ambala airbase for a training mission.
Officials stated that the pilot ejected from the aircraft and a Court of Inquiry has been initiated to investigate the incident.
Additional information is still pending.
The SEPECAT Jaguar, a supersonic jet attack aircraft developed by a British-French consortium, was conceived in the 1960s and began its production and service in various air forces during the 1970s. India started to receive these aircraft in the early 1980s, renaming them as Shamsher.
In active service with the UK’s Royal Air Force until 2007 and the French Air Force until 2005, it was replaced by the Eurofighter Typhoon and Dassault Rafale respectively. The aircraft was also utilized by the air forces of Ecuador, Nigeria, and Oman.
Currently, India remains the sole operator of this vintage aircraft, which has undergone upgrades by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, incorporating new avionics, a redesigned cockpit, and modern weaponry.
The Indian Air Force is known to operate six squadrons of the Jaguar, with two based in Ambala and the remaining four stationed in Gorakhpur and Jamnagar. The aircraft has three variants: the IB, designated for training, the IS, and the IM. In addition to ground attack missions, the IAF plans to utilize these fighters for maritime strike operations. The aircraft is scheduled to be phased out by the end of this decade.
