On July 9, 2025, an Indian Air Force (IAF) Jaguar fighter jet crashed in an agricultural field in Rajasthan’s Churu district, with the pilot feared dead, marking the third such incident in 2025.
The twin-seater Jaguar, which took off from Suratgarh Air Force Station, crashed near Bhanuda village in Ratangarh at approximately 1:25 PM IST, per The Hindu. SHO Rajaldesar Kamlesh reported human body parts at the site, with initial reports suggesting the pilot’s death. Rescue teams, including IAF helicopters and local police, were dispatched to cord off the area.
The Indian Air Force has initiated an investigation into the recent Jaguar crash, with authorities working to determine the cause of the incident. News18 reports that, while the IAF has not yet issued an official statement, eyewitnesses described hearing a loud explosion and seeing flames, with debris scattered across nearby fields. District Collector Abhishek Surana and Superintendent of Police Jai Yadav are leading recovery efforts at the crash site.
A Jaguar fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed near Churu district of Rajasthan. Police and administrative teams rushed to the spot immediately after the incident. @shivanipost with more details#IAF #Churu #PlaneCrash #Jaguarfighterjet #Rajasthan @AneeshaMathur pic.twitter.com/wMd3wbGPy6
— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) July 9, 2025Investigation and IAF Response
This latest crash follows similar incidents in Haryana in March and Gujarat in April, intensifying concerns about the maintenance and operational readiness of the Jaguar fleet. The Jaguar, a British-French aircraft introduced in the 1970s, remains a key asset for the IAF’s ground attack missions. Of the original 115 Jaguars in service, 83 remain operational.
In April 2025, a Jaguar crash in Gujarat claimed the life of pilot Siddharth Yadav, while a separate incident in Haryana saw the pilot successfully eject. From 2008 to 2015, the IAF lost 65 Jaguars, highlighting ongoing challenges with fleet maintenance and persistent shortages of spare parts. These recurring issues underscore the urgent need for enhanced support and modernisation to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the Jaguar fleet.
The Churu crash, which affects India’s 1.4 billion citizens, highlights the safety challenges faced by the Indian Air Force (IAF) within its $10 billion defence aviation sector, according to SIPRI. Given the regional tensions, this incident emphasises the need for stronger aviation protocols and plays a crucial role in shaping India’s defence narrative within a volatile geopolitical landscape.
