An Indian Air Force’s (IAF) fighter aircraft has crashed in Rajasthan’s Churu district on Wednesday, reported Indian media.
The aircraft that crashed was a Jaguar fighter plane, Indian defence ministry sources told CNN-News 18.
It is also not known at the moment whether the pilot ejected before the crash.
#BREAKING | Indian Air Force's Jaguar fighter jet crashes in Rajasthan's Churu district claiming pilots life. The said incident took place in Rajaldesar area located near Ratnagar. Emergency services have reached the location with exact cause of the crash yet to be determined. pic.twitter.com/LhG5ImOI4O
— Harsh Trivedi (@harshtrivediii) July 9, 2025
This would be the third Jaguar aircraft crash this year. Earlier this year on April 2, a Jaguar crashed in Gujarat in which one of the two pilots was killed. On March 7, another Jaguar had crashed in Haryana but the pilot had ejected safely in that accident.
There has not been any confirmation from the IAF or the Ministry of Defence so far.
https://x.com/Tiju0Prakash/status/1942864486072783150
The IAF has a severe shortage of fighter planes and is dealing with an ageing fleet. It is among the last few air forces the world over that still operate old aircraft like MiG-21 and Jaguars as India has failed to add newer aircraft to its fleet.
Earlier this year, it emerged that the IAF has just 31 squadrons against the required strength of 42, which is an all-time low. The effective strength is even lower at 29 squadrons as two squadrons of MiG-21 aircraft are barely operational because of safety concerns.
🚨 🇮🇳 Breaking
— Eagle Eye (@zarrar_11PK) July 9, 2025
An Indian Airforce Jaguar fighter jet has crashed in Bhanuda village, Churu district, Rajasthan.
Pilot is Reportedly Dead pic.twitter.com/EHaPfZcBYI