India to receive former Oman Air Force Jaguar fighters
The Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) has agreed to transfer its retired SEPECAT Jaguar fighter-bombers to India. The aircraft, which have seen extensive use, will be dismantled and employed as spare parts.
Oman acquired 27 Jaguars in total: 20 single-seat Jaguar SO1s, five two-seat Jaguar BO2s, and two ex-RAF aircraft used as attrition replacements. Deliveries started in March 1977. The last four operational RAFO Jaguars were officially retired on 6 August 2014.
Although reports suggest Oman agreed to transfer more than 20 Jaguars, it is known that the country has lost 13 aircraft in various accidents. Therefore, a transfer of over 20 airframes is doubtful. The term 'lost/accidents' covers a range of outcomes, including crashes with or without fatalities, collisions, write-offs due to serious damage, and non-combat incidents. Not all of these losses necessarily resulted in total destruction; some aircraft may have been written off after damage but remained recoverable. At least six aircraft are confirmed destroyed.
The reference to '20+ aircraft' may instead indicate an equivalent quantity of spare parts, including engines, intended to support the refurbishment and repair of existing Bharatiya Vayu Sena (IAF, Indian Air Force) Jaguars.
Earlier, in 2018 - 2019, France shipped 31 Jaguar airframes and spare parts to India to help sustain the IAF’s Jaguar fleet. India covered only the freight costs, while France provided the airframes and spares free of charge.
The IAF currently operates six Jaguar squadrons, each with 18 - 20 aircraft. Instead of purchasing specialised parts, dismantling these older Omani jets will allow India to refurbish and maintain its existing fleet more efficiently.
The French Air Force and the Royal Air Force have already retired their Jaguars, as has Oman. With production long ended and spare parts increasingly expensive, this arrangement is likely to save the Indian government considerable costs while helping keep the current fleet operational.
Overview Indian Air Force Jaguar fleet
Credit photo: Petr Volek (Scramble Archive)