New Delhi: Why is India acquiring nine decommissioned Jaguar strike aircraft from the United Kingdom (UK)?
These aircraft can’t be flown, but will be cannibalised for their spare parts that will be used to keep the ageing Anglo-French SEPECAT Jaguar fleet of the Indian Air Force (IAF) in the air.
According to sources, the IAF will use these aircraft to source spare parts and sub-assemblies like Adour engines, avionics, landing gear and hydraulics for India’s six operational Jaguar squadrons.
The attempt is an effort to keep the IAF Jaguars flying for more than a decade, at least.
India has earlier signed a deal with the Royal Omani Air Force for the transfer of 20 decommissioned Jaguars. These are to be stripped for spares as well.
The details of the deal of the UK have not been made public, but several media platforms, such as the Indian Defence Research Wing, reported earlier this week that nine RAF decommissioned Jaguar aircraft, including 150 different types of spare parts, were covered in white protective layers docked at an unnamed base.
India’s Ministry of Defence formally requested these Jaguar packages to combat attrition through cannibalisation purposes. The UK, France, and other previous operators have long since retired their Jaguar fleets, meaning original production lines for factory-made components have completely shut down.
India still continues to operate the Jaguar, owing to its rugged design, long range, heavy weapon performance and weapons payload, and proven performance in contested environments. These qualities make it a valuable asset for India’s deep penetration strike requirements, as reported by abp LIVE.
As in June 2026, the IAF has been reduced to 29 squadrons instead of the approved strength of 42. Among these, there are six squadrons of Jaguars, which have been in service since 1980.
Today, India remains the sole operator of the SEPECAT Jaguar, a Cold War-era Anglo-French design inducted in 1979. Each squadron still processes 16 to 20 aircraft. The fleet has undergone an extensive modernisation drive under the Darin III programme led by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, making it capable of sustaining another decade.
Officials believe that acquiring retired airframes will help India keep the fleet mission-ready until indigenous platforms like Tejas Mk-2 and AMCA are fully operational.
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