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Jaguar DARIN III
WatchThe IAF is relying on donor airframes from the UK and Oman as critical ejection-seat and fleet spares become unavailable.
On 3 July 2026, the UK Ministry of Defence confirmed that nine retired RAF Jaguars—five GR1s and four T2s—had been transferred to the IAF since 1 January, with Indian reporting identifying them as donor aircraft for spares. India nevertheless fielded Jaguars in the 27 February 2026 Vayushakti demonstration, following a December 2025 report that more than 20 retired Omani aircraft would also be dismantled for spares. The 9 July 2025 fatal trainer crash, the third Jaguar accident in five months, reinforced concern about the ageing force even as DARIN III avionics preserve its precision-strike value. Jaguar remains useful for deep strike and as a numbers bridge for the IAF, but donor-airframe dependence and modern regional air defences make sustainment and survivability increasingly consequential.
Updated 3 Jul 2026
Verified figures
Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Length | 16.8 m ↗ |
| Wingspan | 8.69 m ↗ |
| Maximum take-off weight | 15,500 kg ↗ |
| Powerplant (Indian Mk 811) | 2 × Adour Mk 811 afterburning turbofans; 25.0 kN dry / 37.4 kN each with afterburner ↗ |
| Maximum speed | 1,700 km/h ↗ |
| Service ceiling | 14,300 m ↗ |
| Range | 2,820 km ↗ |
| Fuel capacity | 4,200 L internally; provisions for 3 × 1,200 L drop tanks ↗ |
| Weapons load | Up to 4,540 kg on 5 external stations; 2 × 30 mm Aden cannons ↗ |
| DARIN III avionics | Fire-control radar, hybrid navigation system, advanced autopilot and multifunction glass cockpit ↗ |
Spec sources: janes.migavia.com ↗ · muzeumlotnictwa.pl ↗ · pib.gov.in ↗
Changelog
Program timeline
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A UK parliamentary answer confirmed that nine retired RAF Jaguars—five GR1s and four T2s—had been transferred to the IAF since 1 January for use as donor aircraft for spares.
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Martin-Baker informed the IAF that more than 250 categories of critical spares for the Jaguar's Mk 9 ejection seats could no longer be supplied.
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India was reported to be planning phased retirement of its oldest Jaguars between 2028 and 2031, with DARIN III-upgraded aircraft expected to remain in service somewhat longer.
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Jaguar aircraft took part in Vayushakti-26 at Pokhran, where more than 130 aircraft demonstrated precision strikes and combat-support operations.
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India was reported to be receiving more than 20 retired Royal Air Force of Oman Jaguars for dismantling and use as spares for the IAF fleet.
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An IAF Jaguar trainer crashed near Churu in Rajasthan, killing both pilots in the fleet's third accident within five months.
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The IAF deployed Jaguar and MiG-29 fighters to the United Arab Emirates for Exercise Desert Flag-10, held from 21 April to 8 May 2025.
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HAL achieved Final Operational Clearance for the Jaguar DARIN III upgrade.
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CEMILAC issued Initial Operational Clearance for the Jaguar DARIN III upgrade.
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