Indian Air Force Jaguar fighter plane crashed down at Kushinagar in UP

Indian Air Force's fighter jet Jaguar has crashed down at Kushinagar in UP. The fighter aircraft was on a routine sortie from Gorakhpur Air Force station. 

Incidentally, this is second such crash in the year. In June 5, 2018, another Jaguar fighter crashed down in the Kutch region in northwestern Gujarat.

Pilot has ejected safely using the emergency 'ejection seat' mechanism.

In 2018, The Indian Air Force has initiated a new drive to revamp its 118 Jaguar ground attack fighters with new engines, airframes and spares from overseas grounded fighters. According to the reports the various critical components were to be sourced from around the world. The French retired their Jaguars in 2005 and replaced them with Dassault Rafael multirole fighters. The UK, Ecuador, Nigeria and Oman have also discontinued Jaguars. 'Up-gradation' poses major challenge to the license maker Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

The decision to remap the ageing Jaguar was taken as the contingency plan against the severely depleting number of squadron in the IAF. ThoughThe French retired their Jaguars in 2005 and replaced them with Dassault Rafael multirole fighters. The UK, Ecuador, Nigeria and Oman have also discontinued Jaguars. 

The second crash within 6 months has raised the viability of the Jaguar and if it continues without up- gradation will be soon given the tag 'next coffin in the Air' which is infamously referred to vintage MIGs.