Jaguar Fighter Crashes in Haryana While AN-32 Meets with Serious Accident in Bengal

The Indian Air Force (IAF) had a tough day on Friday, March 7, 2025. Two of their aircraft got into trouble on the same day. A Jaguar fighter jet crashed in Haryana's Panchkula district, while an AN-32 transport plane had what officials called a "serious accident" at Bagdogra airfield in Bengal.

Jaguar Fighter Crash in Panchkula

The Jaguar fighter jet crashed because of a "system malfunction" during a normal training flight from Ambala airbase. The pilot, a Flight Lieutenant, managed to steer the plane away from where people lived before jumping out safely with his parachute. 

The crashed plane's parts fell in a hilly forest area near Raipur Rani in Panchkula district, close to where Haryana meets Himachal Pradesh. Villagers from nearby rushed to help and assisted the pilot in getting free from his parachute straps. 

The IAF said in a statement, "A Jaguar aircraft of the IAF crashed at Ambala during a routine training sortie today, after encountering a system malfunction. The pilot maneuvered the aircraft away from any habitation on ground before ejecting safely. An inquiry has been ordered by the IAF to ascertain the cause of the accident." 

AN-32 Transport Aircraft Incident in Bagdogra 

On the same day, an AN-32 transport aircraft got into what the IAF called a "serious accident" at Bagdogra airfield in northeastern India. Not much was said about this incident, but an IAF officer confirmed that "the crew are safe and the aircraft is being recovered from the site." 

IAF's Aging Fleet Concerns 

These incidents raise questions about how old the IAF's planes are getting. The Jaguar jets first joined the IAF in 1979 and have had over 50 accidents, big and small, during their 45 years of service. Some of these crashes have killed pilots. 

The IAF currently flies about 120 Jaguars in six squadrons based at Ambala, Jamnagar, and Gorakhpur. These jets are important for India's ability to strike targets and gather intelligence. Some have been modified to attack ships at sea. 

India is now the only country still flying Jaguars. Other countries like France, UK, Oman, Nigeria, and Ecuador have already retired theirs. The IAF has been trying to keep its Jaguars up-to-date with new electronics and by buying spare parts from other countries that don't use these planes anymore.

The Russian-made AN-32 transport planes are the workhorses of IAF's transport fleet and can carry about 4,000 kg of cargo. They regularly fly supplies to remote areas in northern and northeastern India.