Jaguar fighter jet crashes in Rajasthan, both pilots killed: How one missing switch costs pilots their lives

A twin-seater IAF Jaguar crashed in Rajasthan’s Churu district, killing both pilots, the third Jaguar crash this year. The tragedy lays bare the ageing jet’s biggest flaw: no automatic ejection seat. Designed in the Cold War, the Jaguar demands superhuman reflexes for survival at low altitudes. Despite upgrades, its time is nearly up. India’s future fighters will carry forward the lessons learned, protecting pilots first. The Jaguar’s legacy is power and precision, but its risks are catching up.