The Indian Air Force (IAF) is going through a turbulent year 2025, with multiple fighter aircraft losses in the past 7 months – still another five months to go. From training accidents to combat engagements, the IAF has lost at least eight fighter jets so far, marking one of the most difficult operational years for Indian Airforce in the recent history.
The string of incidents has sparked debate within defense circles about fleet modernization, pilot training, and aging aircraft in active service. Currently India have a fleets of fighter jets that are Four decades old making them a severe threat for the Pilots. These fighter jets MIGs and Jaguars are now being called flying coffins as a big number of Pilots have been killed in these fighter jets in the past decade. 40+ fighter jets have crashed in the past decade making it one of the most vulnerable airforce in the world because of its decades old fighter jets still in operation.
Over the years, the Jaguar was operated by France, the UK, Oman, Ecuador, Nigeria and India but most of the Jets in other countries are now retired and placed in Museums. India is still using it to train the pilots which is becoming a problem for the Air Force as it is causing Pilot causalities.
Understing Chronology of Crashes and Combat Losses in 2025
March 7: Jaguar Crash near Ambala, Haryana
The year’s first reported loss came when a SEPECAT Jaguar, a deep penetration strike aircraft, crashed during a routine training sortie. The incident occurred near Ambala airbase, one of India’s key operational air hubs. Fortunately, the pilot ejected safely. However, the aircraft was completely destroyed.
April 2: Twin-Seat Jaguar Crash in Gujarat
Barely a month later, another Jaguar trainer aircraft went down during a night training mission near Jamnagar. While one pilot managed to eject safely, the second succumbed to injuries. The incident once again raised concerns over the Jaguar’s aging airframe and limited night-flying capabilities.
May 7: The Costly Aerial Skirmish with Pakistan
Perhaps the most significant and controversial loss came during heightened tensions along the western border in early May. Pakistani military sources claimed they shot down up to five Indian jets in an aerial engagement. While India initially dismissed the claims as propaganda, on May 31, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) confirmed:
- 3 Rafale fighter jets
- 1 Sukhoi Su‑30MKI
- 1 MiG‑29
were lost during the operation. The CDS described the losses as a “tactical setback,” but emphasized that operational goals were achieved. Details of the engagement remain classified, though sources suggest that a mix of radar jamming and drone-aided targeting may have caught Indian aircraft off-guard.
July 9: Another Jaguar Loss in Rajasthan
Just this week, tragedy struck again when another Jaguar trainer aircraft crashed in Rajasthan’s Churu district. Both pilots — a senior instructor and a young trainee — were killed on impact. This marked the third Jaguar crash of 2025, reinforcing concerns about the platform’s long-term viability.
Why Are These Crashes Happening?
Several factors contribute to India’s aircraft losses:
- Aging Fleet: Many of India’s Jaguars, MiG‑21s, and MiG‑29s are over three decades old, and despite upgrades, continue to face reliability issues.
- High Operational Demands: India operates in a complex regional environment, often flying intensive training and surveillance sorties near its borders.
- Pilot Fatigue and Risk: Frequent training in diverse terrains — from the Himalayas to desert zones — increases risk, especially in outdated jets with limited automation.
India’s Response: Modernization & Fleet Upgrades
Despite these setbacks, the Indian Air Force is undergoing an aggressive modernization drive to reduce dependence on outdated platforms and improve safety. Key developments include:
1. Indigenous Tejas Mk1 and Mk2 Integration
India’s homegrown HAL Tejas fighter has steadily entered squadron service. The Tejas Mk1A variant, featuring advanced avionics, AESA radar, and mid-air refueling, is being inducted in larger numbers. Tejas Mk2 — a more powerful 4.5-gen aircraft — is expected to begin trials by early 2026.
Why Tejas Is Not Yet a Frontline IAF Fighter
The HAL Tejas,
India’s indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), is a major step toward self-reliance in defense. Yet, despite its symbolic and technological significance, Tejas has not been fully adopted as a frontline fighter by the Indian Air Force (IAF). Here a the reasons that India is still relying on the decades old fighter jets:
- Delayed Development
Designed in the 1980s, Tejas took over three decades to achieve full operational clearance. This eroded confidence within the IAF. - Limited Capabilities in Early Versions
The initial Tejas Mk1 lacked critical features like air-to-air refueling, advanced radar, and sufficient range, making it unsuitable for frontline duties. - Maintenance and Logistics Concerns
HAL’s slow production rate and issues with spare parts affected aircraft availability and operational readiness. - Incomplete Weapons Integration
Delays in integrating modern missiles like Astra and Derby restricted Tejas’ combat role. - Foreign Engine Dependency
Tejas runs on the U.S.-made GE F404 engine, as India’s indigenous Kaveri engine project remains incomplete. - IAF’s Preference for Proven Platforms
With aircraft like the Su‑30MKI, Mirage‑2000, and Rafale already battle-tested, the IAF remained cautious about deploying a new platform.
2. Rafale Expansion
The IAF’s frontline Rafale fighters, though battle-tested, suffered a blow with May’s losses. Nevertheless, the government is in talks with France for an additional batch of 26 Rafale Marine variants for carrier-based operations, alongside potential orders to bolster the Air Force fleet.
3. Russian Fighters & Su‑30MKI Upgrades
India is working with Russia and HAL to upgrade existing Su‑30MKIs with newer radars, weapons systems, and electronic warfare suites. Discussions for a possible acquisition of Su‑57 stealth fighters are also ongoing, with a focus on local manufacturing under the “Make in India” initiative.