India sources decommissioned Jaguars from Oman for spare parts.
According to Scramble, India has reached an agreement to receive decommissioned Jaguar fighter-bombers from Oman to use as spare parts, supporting the maintenance of its six existing Jaguar squadrons.
According to the aviation publication Scramble, India has reached an agreement with Oman for the transfer of decommissioned SEPECAT Jaguar fighter-bombers. India's goal is to use these aircraft as a source of spare parts, not to return them to airworthiness.
Oman's Jaguars have been out of service since 2014. In total, Oman received 27 Jaguar aircraft in various versions, with deliveries beginning in the late 1970s.
Overview: "Selling spare parts" to maintain the Jaguar fleet.
Scramble stated that the agreement would only be implemented after the aircraft had completed their full service time in the Royal Omani Air Force. This approach reflects a logistical strategy often employed when an aircraft line has gradually disappeared from the global supply chain: utilizing usable airframes and components to maintain the combat readiness of the existing fleet.
In the case of the Jaguar, the context, according to the source, is that all other countries that previously operated Jaguars have retired the aircraft. Therefore, India was forced to find an alternative to maintain the combat capability of its fleet.
Technical analysis: the value of "aircraft for spare parts"
With the goal of never returning to service, the aircraft received from Oman essentially serve as a "supply source of components" for the Jaguar fleet currently in operation. The technical value often lies in components with high replacement lifecycles and supply chain dependence, such as certain electrical and electronic system components, avionics, hydraulics, landing gear, and various recoverable structural elements.
A key point in the Scramble report is that, despite the aircraft transfer, India intends to use them only for spare parts and not for any further flights. This suggests a focus on increasing technical reliability, reducing risks and costs compared to reactivating the aircraft or purchasing new ones.
Precedent and additional sources of spare parts
This is not the first time India has adopted the practice of acquiring decommissioned Jaguars for technical maintenance. According to sources, in 2018–2019, France transferred dozens of decommissioned Jaguars to India along with spare parts, helping to extend their operational lifespan at a lower cost.
Scramble also previously reported that the Indian Ministry of Defence had requested the UK to transfer nine Jaguar aircraft no longer in service with the Royal Air Force; this request also included spare parts. The source did not specify the final outcome of the request.
| Suppliers/Partners | Content based on Scramble | The stated purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Oman | Jaguar deliveries have ceased (Oman operations stopped in 2014; had received 27 units). | For spare parts supply, not for return flights. |
| France | During the 2018–2019 period, dozens of decommissioned Jaguars were delivered along with spare parts. | Extending the lifespan of mining operations at lower costs. |
| Older brother | The Indian Ministry of Defence has requested the handover of nine decommissioned Jaguars, along with spare parts. | Additional parts (source does not specify results) |
Operational role: why does Jaguar still have a place in the Indian squad?
According to the article, the Indian Air Force currently maintains six Jaguar squadrons. The source describes the Jaguar as remaining an important part of the strike force, particularly in low-altitude missions.
Force organization: 6 squadrons and variants as described.
Scramble lists the Jaguar squad by command and base as follows:
- Western Air Force CommandSquadrons 5 and 14 at Ambala Air Base, equipped with Jaguar IS/IT variants.
- Central Air Force CommandSquadrons 16 and 27 at Gorakhpur base operate the IS/IT variant.
- Southwest Air Force CommandSquadrons 6 and 224 at Jamnagar base, using IM, IS, and IT variants.
Assessing the reliability of the source.
Details regarding the time when Oman's Jaguars ceased operations (2014), the total number of 27 aircraft Oman received, their intended use as spare parts, and the list of India's six Jaguar squadrons are all cited from Scramble. Information about the request sent to the UK (9 aircraft) is also mentioned from Scramble, but the source does not provide a conclusion, so it cannot be confirmed whether the transfers actually took place.
From a technical-operational perspective, supplementing the supply of spare parts from decommissioned aircraft fleets is a direct solution to maintaining the readiness of the Jaguar fleet as the global supply chain for this aircraft type shrinks.
