Editing SEPECAT Jaguar (section)

==Operational history==
===France===
The French Air Force took delivery of the first production Jaguar in 1973, one of an eventual 160 single-seat Jaguar As. For type conversion training, France also took 40 of the two-seat ''Jaguar E''.<ref name="WAPJ11 p99"/> While the Jaguar was capable of carrying a single [[AN-52 bomb|AN-52]] nuclear bomb, the French government did not assign any Jaguars for use in the ''[[Force de frappe]]'', France's strategic nuclear deterrent.<ref>Croddy and Wirtz 2005, pp. 276, 361.</ref> Nuclear armed Jaguars were instead assigned the "Pre-Strategic" role, to clear a path for the Strategic strike force.<ref name="WAPJ11 p80,100">Jackson 1992, pp. 80, 100.</ref> The AN-52 nuclear bomb was retired from service in September 1991, when the formerly nuclear-armed squadrons of Escadre de Chasse 7 then concentrated on conventional attack.<ref name="WAPJ11 p100"/> French Jaguars also performed in the role of [[Electronic countermeasure|electronic counter measures]] (ECM) aircraft, bearing the Martel [[anti-radiation missile]], capable of staying airborne to suppress enemy defences for long periods of time through mid air refuelling.<ref name = 'glenn 8'>Glenn 2005, p. 8.</ref>

[[File:Jaguar 33 ardennes 2.jpg|thumb|A French Jaguar on runway under tow.|alt=Jet aircraft being towed on taxiway towards left of camera.]]

In French service, the Jaguar was frequently deployed in defence of national interests in Africa during the 1970s, a policy sometimes referred to as "Jaguar diplomacy" (''la diplomatie du Jaguar'').<ref name=Lespinois1>de Lespinois, Jérôme. [http://www.cesa.air.defense.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/PLAF24.pdf "La diplomatie aérienne: The new gunboat diplomacy" (in French).] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720012338/http://www.cesa.air.defense.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/PLAF24.pdf |date=20 July 2011 }} ''Penser les Ailes françaises,'' Issue 24, 2010/2011. Retrieved: 19 January 2011.</ref> Jaguars made their combat debut against [[Polisario Front]] forces in [[Mauritania]] in December 1977, as part of [[Opération Lamantin]].<ref name="JAWA80 p105">Taylor 1980, p. 105.</ref><ref name=Forget>Forget, Michel. [http://www.cesa.air.defense.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/RHA1_1992.pdf "Mauritanie 1977: Lamantin, une intervention extérieure à dominante air" (in French).] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720012458/http://www.cesa.air.defense.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/RHA1_1992.pdf |date=20 July 2011 }} ''Revue historique des armées,'' January 1992. Retrieved: 19 January 2011.</ref> In August 1978 a conventionally armed rapid reaction squadron was established, intended to deploy in support of French forces and interests anywhere in the world.<ref name = 'glenn 8'/>

France had been involved in the [[Chadian–Libyan conflict|conflict in Chad]] for many years, and 2,000 men of the ''Force d'Intervention'' along with helicopters and Jaguars were deployed to defend central Chad in 1978; further forces arrived later as part of [[Opération Tacaud]].<ref>Burr and Collins 2008, pp. 119, 124.</ref> The Jaguars were engaged in May and June 1978, contributing significantly in halting an offensive by [[Goukouni Oueddei]]'s [[FROLINAT]] forces, who were routed. One aircraft was shot down, but the pilot was recovered by helicopter.<ref name=Lespinois2>de Lespinois, Jérôme. [http://www.cesa.air.defense.gouv.fr/DPESA/PLAF/PLAF_N_6.pdf "L'emploi de la force aérienne au Tchad (1967–1987)" (in French).] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090305170836/http://www.cesa.air.defense.gouv.fr/DPESA/PLAF/PLAF_N_6.pdf |date=5 March 2009 }} ''Penser les Ailes françaises,'' Issue 6, June 2005, pp. 65–74. Retrieved: 19 January 2011.</ref>

In support of the further military action in the region, known as [[Operation Manta]], Jaguars were deployed to [[Bangui]], [[Central African Republic]], in 1983, before being rebased inside [[Chad]] at [[N'Djamena International Airport]]. On 25&nbsp;January&nbsp;1984, Jaguars attacked a rebel column that was withdrawing after raiding the town of [[Zigey]]. One aircraft was shot down and the pilot, Captain Michel Croci, was killed.<ref>Shaked and Dishion 1984, p. 589.</ref> The "Manta" forces were withdrawn in 1984, as part of a de-escalation agreement, whereby both [[Libya]]n and French forces were to be withdrawn from Chad. The Libyans did not respect the agreement, and Jaguars returned to Chad in 1986, as part of [[Operation Epervier]], this time with a more forceful role. On 16&nbsp;February&nbsp;1986, 11 Jaguars, escorted by Mirage F1 fighters and supported by [[Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker|Boeing C-135F]] tankers and [[Breguet Atlantic]] aircraft, launched a [[Ouadi Doum air raid|raid on the airfield at Wadi Doum]], which the Libyans had constructed in Northern Chad, using BAP-100 anti-runway bombs.<ref>Burr and Collins 2008, p. 201.</ref> In response to Libyan incursions, another strike was carried out on 7&nbsp;January&nbsp;1987, when a Jaguar destroyed a Libyan radar with a Martel missile.<ref name=Lespinois2/><ref>Cooper, Tom. {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20040220180841/http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_360.shtml "Libyan Wars, 1980–1989, Part 6."]}} ''Air Combat Information Group,'' 13 November 2003. Retrieved: 19 January 2011.</ref> The Jaguars stationed at Ndjamena were a target for Libyan sabotage owing to their effectiveness against enemy forces, but the attempts were unsuccessful.<ref>Burr and Collins 2008, p. 124.</ref>

====Persian Gulf War====
[[File:JaguarGR1 41Sqn refueling Gulf1991.jpeg|thumb|right|An RAF Jaguar deployed to the Middle East, being refuelled on the ground.|alt=View of mechanics servicing a desert pink jet aircraft.]]

France committed military assets to the Gulf War coalition; in October 1990, eight Jaguar A aircraft and several Mirage F1CR reconnaissance aircraft were sent to the Middle East. The Mirages, which had more advanced avionics, acted as guides for the Jaguars.<ref name = 'D&C 39-40'>Donald and Chant 2001, pp. 39–40.</ref> Because their obsolete navigational systems were unable to provide the accuracy required, both French and British Jaguars were quickly modified with GPS receivers; RAF Tornados also had to be modified, but to a lesser extent.<ref name="R&H 151"/> The French Jaguar force in Saudi Arabia grew to a maximum of 28 aircraft and carried out 615 combat sorties, during which one Jaguar was damaged by an Iraqi surface-to-air missile.<ref name="WAPJ11 p91">Jackson 1992, p. 92.</ref> Typical targets were Iraqi armoured units, [[Scud]] missile sites, and naval vessels.<ref name = 'glenn 40'/>

On 17 January 1991, 12 French Jaguars bombed [[Ahmad al-Jaber Air Base]], Kuwait; three were damaged in the attack but all returned to base.<ref name = 'glenn 40'/> On 26&nbsp;January, RAF Jaguars and Tornados raided several [[Silkworm missile]] batteries in Kuwait to encourage the perception of an imminent amphibious invasion to liberate the country.<ref name = 'glenn 41'>Glenn 2005, p. 41.</ref> On the 30th, two RAF Jaguars destroyed a [[Polnocny class landing ship|''Polnochny''-class landing ship]] with rockets and cannon.<ref>Bowman 2007, pp. 174–175.</ref> The [[Iraqi Republican Guard]], entrenched on the Kuwait-Saudi border, were subjected to a continuous intensive bombing campaign for weeks to demoralise them, allied Jaguars forming a portion of the delivering aircraft.<ref name = 'glenn 44'>Glenn 2005, p. 44.</ref> The Jaguars also performed valuable reconnaissance of the combat area for Coalition forces.<ref name = 'glenn 44'/> Both nations' Jaguars were withdrawn from the region in March 1991, at the end of Desert Storm.<ref name = 'glenn 44'/>

====Subsequent operations====
In [[Operation Deliberate Force]] in 1995, six Jaguars based in Italy conducted 63 strike missions.<ref name = 'owen 217'/> The last Jaguars in French service were retired in 2005, being replaced in the ground attack roles by the Dassault Rafale.<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/channels/mro/articles/2006/07/04/207575/rafale-squadron-inaugurated.html "Rafale squadron inaugurated."] ''Flight International'' via ''flightglobal.com,'' 4 July 2006.</ref>

===United Kingdom===
[[File:RAF Jaguar Tactical Meet.JPEG|thumb|No. 2 Squadron Jaguar GR1s at RAF Wildenrath, Germany, in 1978.|alt=Two dark green jet aircraft (one partly obscured) parked on concrete ramp in front of building.]]

The RAF accepted delivery of the first of 165 single seat Jaguar GR1s (the [[British military aircraft designation systems|service designation]] of the Jaguar S) with [[No. 54 Squadron RAF|No 54 (F) squadron]] in 1974. These were supplemented by 35 two seat trainers, the Jaguar T2 (previously ''Jaguar B''). The Jaguar S and B had a more comprehensive nav/attack system than the A and E models used by the French Air Force, consisting of a Ferranti/Marconi Navigation and Weapon Aiming Sub System (NAVWASS) and a Plessey 10 Way Weapon Control System. RAF Jaguars were used for rapid deployment and regional reinforcement,<ref>Eden 2004, p. 404.</ref><!--Quote "Moreover, a squadron could deploy at a moment's notice, and with minimal ground support.--> and others flew in the tactical nuclear strike role, carrying the [[WE.177]] bomb.<ref name="WE.177">Cirincione et al. 2005, p. 199.</ref>

Beginning in 1975 with [[No. 6 Squadron RAF|6 Squadron]], followed by 54 Squadron based at [[RAF Coltishall]], and a '[[Shadow squadron]]', [[No. 226 Operational Conversion Unit RAF|226 OCU]] based at [[RAF Lossiemouth]], Jaguar squadrons were declared operational to [[SACEUR]] with the WE.177.<ref>[http://nuclear-weapons.info/images/1975.PNG "RAF nuclear front line Order-of-Battle 1975."] ''nuclear-weapons.info.'' Retrieved: 15 November 2010.</ref> [[No. 14 Squadron RAF|14 Squadron]] and [[No. 17 Squadron RAF|17 Squadron]] based at [[RAF Bruggen]] followed by 1977.<ref>[http://nuclear-weapons.info/images/1976.PNG "RAF nuclear front line Order-of-Battle 1976."] ''nuclear-weapons.info.'' Retrieved: 15 November 2010.</ref><ref>[http://nuclear-weapons.info/images/1977-78.PNG "RAF nuclear front line Order-of-Battle 1977–78."] ''nuclear-weapons.info.'' Retrieved: 15 November 2010.</ref> [[No. 20 Squadron RAF|20 Squadron]] and [[No. 31 Squadron RAF|31 Squadron]] also based at RAF Bruggen brought the RAF Jaguar force to its peak strength of six squadrons plus the OCU, each of twelve aircraft equipped with eight WE.177s. Two further squadrons, [[No. 2 Squadron RAF|2 Squadron]] and [[No. 41 Squadron RAF|41 Squadron]] based at [[RAF Laarbruch]] and RAF Coltishall respectively, were primarily tasked with tactical reconnaissance.<ref name = 'wagner 124'>Wagner 2009, p. 124.</ref> From 1975 the OCU's wartime role was as an operational squadron in the front line assigned to SACEUR with 12 Jaguar aircraft, eight WE.177 nuclear bombs, and a variety of conventional weapons.<ref name="Carriage"/>

In April 1975, a single Jaguar was used to test the aircraft's rough airstrip capacity, by landing and taking off multiple times from the [[M55 motorway]], the final test flight was conducted with a full weapons load; the ability was never used in service but was considered useful as improvised runways might be the only runways left available in a large scale European conflict.<ref name = 'glenn 19'>Glenn 2005, p. 19.</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Video shows 1975 military jet landing on motorway |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/cgkg0xnvn11o |website=BBC News |access-date=26 April 2025}}</ref> In a high intensity European war, the role of the Jaguar was to support land forces on the continent in resisting a [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] assault on Western Europe, striking targets beyond the forward edge of the battlefield should a conflict escalate. The apparent mismatch between aircraft numbers and nuclear bombs was a consequence of RAF staff planners concluding that there would be one third attrition of Jaguars in an early conventional phase, leaving the survivors numerically strong enough to deliver the allocated stockpile of 56 nuclear bombs.<ref name="Carriage">[http://www.nuclear-weapons.info/vw.htm#WE.177 "WE.177 Carriage."] ''nuclear-weapons.info.'' Retrieved: 15 November 2010.</ref>
[[File:Jaguar GR1As 54Sqn RAF 2002.jpeg|thumb|Three RAF Jaguars during [[Operation Northern Watch]] in September 2002.|alt=Grey jet aircraft flying above desert, with white aircraft further out, trailed be another jet.]]
From December 1983, 75 Jaguar GR1s and 14 T2s were updated to the GR1A and T2A standards with FIN1064 navigation and attack systems replacing the original NAVWASS. At about the same time, most were also re-engined with Adour 104 engines and were fitted with the ability to carry Sidewinder air to air missiles or [[List of military electronics of the United States#A|AN-ALQ-101(V)-10]] [[electronic countermeasures]] pods under the wings.<ref name="WAPJ11 p94"/>

The RAF Jaguar force was altered in late 1984, when 17 Squadron, 20 Squadron and 31 Squadron exchanged their Jaguars for [[Panavia Tornado|Tornado GR1s]], although their assignment to SACEUR and their wartime role remained unchanged. The two other RAF Germany units, 14 Squadron and 2 Squadron, followed suit in 1985 and 1989 respectively, which left the operational Jaguar force concentrated in 6, 41 and 54 Squadrons at RAF Coltishall.<ref>[http://nuclear-weapons.info/images/1984.PNG "RAF nuclear front line Order-of-Battle 1984."] ''nuclear-weapons.info.'' Retrieved: 15 November 2010.</ref><ref>[http://nuclear-weapons.info/images/1985.PNG "RAF nuclear front line Order-of-Battle 1985."] ''nuclear-weapons.info.'' Retrieved: 15 November 2010.</ref>

====1990 Gulf War====
[[File:JaguarGR1 41Sqn Gulf1991.jpeg|thumb|An RAF Jaguar from No. 41 Squadron deployed to [[RAFO Thumrait]], in the Middle East, taking off to participate in ''Desert Shield''.]]

Following the Iraqi [[invasion of Kuwait]], on 9&nbsp;August&nbsp;1990 the British government assigned an initial 12 Jaguar GR1A and 12 Tornado F3 aircraft to the Middle East in [[Operation Granby]],<ref>Donald and Chant 2001, p. 32.</ref> these aircraft operated from bases in [[Oman]] and [[Bahrain]].<ref>Donald and Chant 2001, p. 33.</ref> On 23&nbsp;August&nbsp;1990, a squadron of Tornado GR1 interdictors were dispatched to the region as well, but the Tornado GR1 was difficult to keep operational in the high temperatures.<ref name="D&C 34"/> [[Blackburn Buccaneer]]s were dispatched in January 1991 to act as laser designators for the ground strike aircraft.<ref name = 'D&C 35'>Donald and Chant 2001, p. 35.</ref> The RAF's Jaguars gained several new weapons during the Persian Gulf War, including [[CRV7]] high-velocity rockets and American [[CBU-87 Combined Effects Munition|CBU-87]] [[cluster bomb]]s which were used because the RAF's existing [[BL755]] bombs were designed for low-level release, and therefore unsuitable for higher-altitude operations common over the Persian Gulf.<ref name="WAPJ11 p63-6"/> The RAF's detachment of 12 Jaguars flew 612 combat sorties, with no aircraft being lost.<ref name="WAPJ11 p93"/> ''XZ364'' "Sadman" flew 47 missions; the highest number of missions of any aircraft.<ref>Bowman 2007, p. 162.</ref>

====Subsequent upgrades====
In 1994, in order to meet an urgent need to increase the number of aircraft able to designate targets for [[laser-guided bomb]]s, 10 GR1As and two T2As were upgraded with the capability to carry the TIALD laser designator pod and [[British military aircraft designation systems|redesignated]] as ''Jaguar GR1B'' and ''T2B'' respectively.<ref name="AI Oct97 p226-8"/> TIALD equipped Jaguar GR1Bs were deployed to Italy in August to take part in Operation Deliberate Force against [[Bosnian Serb]] forces, being used to designate targets for RAF Harriers.<ref name="AI Oct97 p228">Lake ''Air International'' October 1997, p. 228.</ref> During the Bosnian operations, a Jaguar of 41 Squadron carried out the first RAF bombing raid in Europe since the end of the [[Second World War]] fifty years before.<ref name="RAF-41">[http://www.raf.mod.uk/organisation/41squadron.cfm "41 Squadron."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304003724/http://www.raf.mod.uk/organisation/41squadron.cfm |date=4 March 2016 }} ''Royal Air Force,'' 2011. Retrieved: 16 January 2011.</ref>
[[File:Eleven retired Royal Air Force (RAF) SEPECAT Jaguar GR3As, formerly of No. 6 Squadron, now used as ground instructional airframes to train tomorrows' RAF aircraft technicians and engineers, at RAF Cosford.jpg|thumb|RAF Jaguars used as ground instructional airframes at RAF Cosford.]]

Following the success of the GR1B/T2B upgrade, the RAF launched a plan to upgrade its Jaguar fleet to a common standard, incorporating improvements introduced to some aircraft during the Gulf War, together with adding the ability to use TIALD and new reconnaissance pods. The upgrade came in two parts; the interim GR3 (''Jaguar 96'') upgrade added a new [[Head-up display|HUD]], a new [[Joystick|hand controller]] and stick top, integrated GPS and TERPROM Terrain Referenced Navigation. It was delivered in two standards, for [[Reconnaissance|recce]] and TIALD.<ref name="Barrie"/><ref name="AI Nov97 p274-6"/> The further upgraded ''Jaguar GR3A'' (also known as ''Jaguar 97'') introduced fleet-wide compatibility with TIALD and the new EO GP1 (JRP) digital reconnaissance pod, a helmet mounted sight, improved cockpit displays, a datalink, and improved [[Night vision device|night vision goggles]] compatibility.<ref name="AI Dec00 p359-0"/> All GR3As were subsequently re-engined with the new Adour 106 turbofan.<ref name = 'morebite'>Thomas, Geoff. [https://www.flightglobal.com/more-bite-for-jaguars-with-upgraded-adour/27019.article "More bite for Jaguars with upgraded Adour."] ''Flight Daily News'', 16 June 1999.</ref> The RAF's Jaguar 97s were intended to be wired for the carriage of [[ASRAAM]]s on the overwing launchers, but clearance of this weapon was never completed because of funding cuts.<ref name="AI Dec00 p360">Lake ''Air International'' December 2000, p. 360.</ref><ref name="mixed">Ripley, Tim. [http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2000/07/25/68455/mixed-news-for-contractors-in-uk-defence-spending-plans.html "Mixed news for contractors in UK defence spending plans."] ''Flightglobal.com'', 25 July 2000. Retrieved: 6 January 2011.</ref>

The Jaguars did not see service in the [[2003 Iraq War]]; they had been planned to operate from bases in Turkey, to the north of Iraq, but Turkey refused access to its airbases and the northern attack was cancelled.<ref>[http://nationalcoldwarexhibition.org/explore/squadron.cfm?number=41 "Cold War Squadrons: No. 41 Squadron."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727111816/http://nationalcoldwarexhibition.org/explore/squadron.cfm?number=41 |date=27 July 2011 }} ''Royal Air Force Museum''. Retrieved: 16 January 2011.</ref>

Demands by the [[HM Treasury|UK Treasury]] to cut the defence budget led to Defence Secretary [[Geoff Hoon]] detailing plans on 21&nbsp;July&nbsp;2004 to withdraw the Jaguar by 2007.{{Citation needed|date=January 2021}} An expected out of service date of October 2007 was brought forward at just five days notice to 30 April 2007.<ref>[http://www.raf.mod.uk/newsweather/index.cfm?storyid=2CEE8041-1143-EC82-2ECACAEDD252410F "RAF News: RAF Jaguars leave service after 33 years."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020050019/http://www.raf.mod.uk/newsweather/index.cfm?storyid=2CEE8041-1143-EC82-2ECACAEDD252410F |date=20 October 2012 }} ''Royal Air Force.'' Retrieved: 4 June 2011.</ref> On 20&nbsp;December&nbsp;2007, a Jaguar operated by [[Qinetiq|QinetiQ]] undertook the last British military Jaguar flight.<ref>Millard, Douglas. [http://www.qinetiq.com/home/newsroom/news_releases_homepage/2007/4th_quarter/last_jaguar_flight.html "QinetiQ says farewell with last ever UK Jaguar flight."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071229160322/http://www.qinetiq.com/home/newsroom/news_releases_homepage/2007/4th_quarter/last_jaguar_flight.html |date=29 December 2007 }} ''Qinetiq.'' 20 December 2007. Retrieved: 15 November 2010.</ref>

Following their retirement from flying service, many Jaguars continued to serve as ground instructional airframes, most notably at [[RAF Cosford]], used in the training of RAF fitters.

===India===
India had been approached as a possible customer for the Jaguar as early as 1968, but had declined, partly on the grounds that it was not yet clear if the French and British would themselves accept the aircraft into service.<ref>Cohen and Dasgupta 2010, p. 77.</ref> India already had its indigenous [[HAL Marut|HF-24 Marut]] fighter-bomber, and tried to upgrade it with new engines, until the new project collapsed. A decade later IAF became the largest single export customer, with a $1 billion order for the aircraft in 1978, the Jaguar being chosen ahead of the [[Dassault Mirage F1]] and the [[Saab Viggen]] after a long and difficult evaluation process.<ref name = 'Barua 274'>Barua 2005, p. 274.</ref><ref name="AI Oct88 p177-181">''Air International'' October 1988, pp. 177–181.</ref> The order involved 40 Jaguars built in Europe at [[Warton Aerodrome|Warton]], and 120 [[licence-built]] aircraft from [[Hindustan Aeronautics Limited]] (HAL) under the local name ''[[Shamshir|Shamsher]]'' ("Sword of Justice").<ref name = 'Barua 274'/><ref name="Eden p.400-1"/>

As an interim measure, 18 RAF Jaguars were loaned to the IAF with the first two loaned aircraft operational with [[Western Air Command (India)|Western Air Command]] on 27&nbsp;July&nbsp;1979.<ref name="green">Green et al. 1982, p. 16.</ref> The second batch of aircraft for the IAF were 40 Jaguar Internationals built at [[Warton Aerodrome|Warton]], the first aircraft being delivered in March 1981.<ref name="WAPJ11 p108">Jackson 1992, p. 108.</ref> The third batch was the assembly of another 45 aircraft by HAL of kits shipped from the United Kingdom, the first kit being shipped to India in May 1981.<ref name="WAPJ11 p108"/> In the following phases more aircraft were built in India with less European content. A total of 80 aircraft were built by HAL.<ref name="WAPJ11 p108"/><ref name="bharat-rakshak">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/aircraft/specs/560-bae-jaguar.html|title=BAe Sepecat Jaguar IS/IB/IM "Shamsher"|website=www.bharat-rakshak.com}}</ref>

[[File:US Navy 070907-N-8591H-194 F-A-18F Super Hornet Strike Fighter Squadron 102, F-A-18E Super Hornet Strike Fighter Squadron 27, Indian Navy Sea Harriers, Indian Air Force Jaguars over INS Viraat (R 22), Malabar 07-2.jpg|thumb|left|A pair of [[Indian Air Force]] Jaguars flying in formation besides a pair of [[Indian Navy]] [[Sea Harriers]] and a pair of [[U.S. Navy]] [[F/A-18 Super Hornet]]s, flying over the Indian Navy aircraft carrier [[INS Viraat]] during [[Exercise Malabar]].]]

Indian Jaguars were quite different from the RAF ones. The Adour Mk 811 engines were soon adopted in the HAL production line (the previous Jaguars made in UK had the earlier Mk 804), giving 8,400&nbsp;lbf each. IAF Jaguars also used the [[R.550 Magic|R-550 Magic]] in rails over the wings. But more importantly, the NAWASS, even if very modern in conception, was replaced because it was found quite unreliable.{{Citation needed|date=January 2021}} The RAF was already upgrading the system with the modern Ferranti Type 1024 INS, but India was offered the 1024E export, less powerful version. So IAF instead pursued the development of new nav-attack system, called DARIN, that combined several technologies from France, UK and other sources. This system was more reliable and more precise than the older NAWASS and all the IAF Jaguars had it as standard. The Jaguar was found to be a long-range, fast, stable and effective strike aircraft in IAF service. Another important upgrade was the Maritime Strike version, fitted with a radar (the French Agave) and powerful British anti-ship missiles, produced in a very limited number (12). The only real issue with Jaguar is the lack of power at altitude, especially with heavy ordnance on board.

Indian Jaguars were used to carry out reconnaissance missions in support of the [[Indian Peace Keeping Force]] in [[Sri Lanka]] between 1987 and 1990.<ref name="Wilson p71"/> They later played an active role in the 1999 [[Kargil War]] with Pakistan, dropping both unguided and laser-guided bombs,<ref name="Wilson p71"/> the IAF defining its role as a "deep penetrating strike aircraft".<ref>Abbas, Ahmed. "Indian Ambitions for Aerospace Supremacy: Options for Pakistan." ''Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad'', Retrieved: 2 January 2011.</ref> The Jaguar is also used in small numbers for the anti-ship role, equipped with the [[Sea Eagle missile]].<ref name="Eden p.400-1">Eden 2004, pp. 400–401.</ref><ref name = 'Barua 378'>Barua 2005, p. 378.</ref> The Jaguar remains an important element of the Indian military as, along with the [[Mirage 2000]], the Jaguar has been described as one of the few aircraft capable of performing the nuclear strike role with reasonable chances of success.<ref>Tellis 2001, p. 533.</ref> It has been alleged that the Indian military decided against developing the Jaguar into an active nuclear platform because of its lack of ground clearance for deploying India's gravity-dropped nuclear bombs.<ref>Tellis 2001, p. 542.</ref> The Jaguar IM, a naval strike variant was used to test fire [[Sea Eagle (missile)|Sea Eagle]] missiles at the decommisioned {{INS|Hosdurg|K73|6}} in June 2000.<ref><nowiki>https://web.archive.org/web/20100316203249/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NAVY/Ships/Past/87-Nanuchka-II-Durg-Class.html</nowiki></ref>

As the aircraft aged, the avionics were viewed as lacking suitable components for the ground attack mission, such as terrain-following radar, GPS navigation or modern night-flight systems;<ref>Tellis 2001, p. 546.</ref> consequently, several upgrades were carried out in the mid-1990s, including the addition of the [[Litening]] targeting pod.<ref name = 'Barua 274'/> India placed an order for 17 additional upgraded Jaguar aircraft from [[Hindustan Aeronautics]] in 1999 and a further 20 in 2001–2002.<ref name="Wilson p68">Wilson and McBride 2009, p. 68.</ref> The IAF plans to upgrade up to 125 Jaguars starting in 2013 by upgrading the avionics (including multi mode radar, auto-pilot and other changes) as part of the DARIN III programme and  reportedly considered fitting more powerful engines such as the [[Honeywell/ITEC F124|Honeywell F125IN]] to improve performance, particularly at medium altitudes.<ref name="Wilson p71">Wilson and McBride 2009, p. 71.</ref>The latest upgrade program DARIN III (Display Attack Ranging Inertial Navigation) has also been approved. In addition to new avionics and equipment installed as part of DARIN II upgrade, DARIN III featured modified avionics architecture, new cockpit with dual SMD, solid state flight data recorder and solid state video recording system, auto pilot system, integration of new multi-mode radar on Jaguar IS (currently only Jaguar IM are fitted with radars). Major structural modification was carried out on the air frame to accommodate the radar. Initial Jaguars delivered to the IAF were powered by two Adour 804E; further deliveries were powered by Adour Mk811. All the current IAF Jaguars are powered by Adour Mk811. DARIN III upgrade will cause additional weight problems due to addition of new avionics and radar, resulting in it becoming underpowered. Later IAF took decisions not to upgrade the engines due to budget problems. As part of technology transfer agreement with [[Israel Aerospace Industries|Israeli Aerospace Industries]] (IAI) for 54 [[EL/M-2052]] AESA radar to be manufactured by HAL Avionics Division, the first production version will be ready by March 2021 to be fitted on Jaguar IS as part of DARIN III UPG standard.<ref>{{Cite web|date=3 February 2021|title=HAL to Fly Production Version of AESA Radar in Jaguar Darin III Aircraft in March|url=https://www.defenseworld.net/news/28885/HAL_to_Fly_Production_Version_of_AESA_Radar_in_Jaguar_Darin_III_Aircraft_in_March#.YBtWXnnhU2w|access-date=2021-03-31|website=Defense World}}</ref>

In 2018, India cannibalised 31 airframes purchased from France, 2 airframes each from UK and Oman, a few engines and several hundred types of critically needed spares for optimum squadron serviceability.<ref>{{Cite news|title=First lot of Jaguar frames for ageing IAF fleet soon|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/nation/first-lot-of-jaguar-frames-for-ageing-iaf-fleet-soon-666480|access-date=11 October 2018}}</ref>

Indian Air Force plans to retire the oldest batch of 60 aircraft from 2028 to 2031 and replace them with modern [[Fourth-generation fighter|4.5 generation]] aircraft like [[HAL Tejas|HAL Tejas Mk1A]]. IAF will upgrade the rest of the Jaguars to DARIN III configuration, [[EL/M-2052]] [[Active electronically scanned array|AESA]] radar and [[ASRAAM]] [[Air-to-air missile|air-to-air]] missile integration. As of 2024, 60 aircraft (more than half of the Jaguar fleet) is being upgraded to DARIN III standards.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-25 |title=IAF to Retire 60 Jaguar Aircraft with DARIN-II by 2031, Remaining Upgrading with DARIN-III, AESA Radar and ASRAAM |url=https://defence.in/threads/iaf-to-retire-60-jaguar-aircraft-with-darin-ii-by-2031-remaining-upgrading-with-darin-iii-aesa-radar-and-asraam.9467/ |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=Defence.in |language=en-US}}</ref>

On 7 March 2025, a Jaguar IS aircraft crashed in [[Panchkula district]], [[Haryana]] at around 3:45 pm [[Indian Standard Time|IST]] after taking off from [[Ambala Air Force Station]] for a routine training sortie. The pilot ejected safely after maneuvering the jet away from residential areas. The Jaguars, in-service for 45 years, had suffered 50 major and minor incidents some of which had been fatal, as per a report.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bajwa |first=Harpreet |date=2025-03-07 |title=IAF's Jaguar aircraft crashes in Haryana, pilot ejects safely |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2025/Mar/07/iafs-jaguar-aircraft-crashes-in-haryana-pilot-ejects-safely |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Indian Air Force's Jaguar Fighter Jet Crashes In Ambala, Pilot Ejects Safely |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/indian-air-forces-jaguar-fighter-jet-crashes-in-haryana-pilot-ejects-safely-7870502 |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=www.ndtv.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-03-07 |title=Indian Air Force's Jaguar fighter jet crashes in Haryana |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/indian-air-force-jaguar-fighter-jet-crashes-in-haryana/articleshow/118786854.cms |access-date=2025-03-08 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

On 2 April 2025, another Jaguar crashed near [[Jamnagar Air Force Station]] in an open field off the [[National Highway 927D (India)|Kalavad highway]] near Suvarda village, 12 km from [[Jamnagar]], during a night training sortie. While one pilot ejected and landed safely the other pilot was still missing.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-04-02 |title=Jaguar fighter jet crashes in Jamnagar |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/jaguar-fighter-jet-crashes-in-jamnagar/articleshow/119913868.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2025-04-02 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref> Later it was confirmed that the missing pilot has succumbed to his injuries and the survivor was receiving treatment in a hospital.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-03 |title=Air Force pilot dies after fighter jet crashes in Gujarat's Jamnagar |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/air-force-pilot-dead-fighter-jet-crash-gujarat-jamnagar-9921407/ |access-date=2025-04-03 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

Between 8 and 10 May, [[Indian Air Force|Indian Air Force (IAF)]] Jaguar Darin II fighter jets struck 11 military air bases across Pakistan in a coordinated, precision-led campaign.
<ref>{{cite web|title=IAF severely damaged 11 Pak airbases in May 8–10 military strikes — Nur Khan, Sargodha, Skardu among key targets|url=https://www.economictimes.com/news/defence/india-pakistan-ceasefire-iaf-strikes-11-pakistani-airbases-inflicts-severe-damage-targets-include-nur-khan-sargodha-and-skardu/articleshow/121060642.cms|access-date=12 May 2025|website=The Economic Times|date=11 May 2025}}</ref>

===Other operators===
[[File:JaguarSO1 IL-38 1987.jpeg|thumb|A Royal Air Force of Oman Jaguar S(O) intercepting a Soviet [[Ilyushin Il-38|Il-38]] in 1987|alt=Black-and-white photography of jet aircraft, carrying external fuel tank under fuselage, accompanying behind a four-turboprop-driven aircraft.]]
In 1969, while still in the prototype stage of development, formal approaches had been made to Switzerland, India, Japan, Australia, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany, promoting the aircraft for sale.<ref name = 'flight 1969 604'>''Flight'' 16 October 1969, p. 604.</ref> Japan began negotiations towards [[licence-built|licensed production]] of the Jaguar,<ref name="Lake p139">Lake 1994, p.139.</ref> but these plans failed in part because of the high [[Royalties|royalty payments]] sought by SEPECAT.<ref name="Lake p139"/> A proposal for Turkey to construct Jaguars under licence also did not come to fruition.<ref name = 'segell 168'>Segell 1998, p. 168.</ref> Kuwait initially ordered 50 Jaguars and 16 [[Dassault Mirage 5|Mirage 5s]], but instead chose F1s.<ref name="Eden p.399">Eden 2004, p. 398.</ref> Pakistan approached SEPECAT after the US refused to sell its aircraft of choice, the [[LTV A-7 Corsair II]], due to an arms embargo; Pakistan eventually opted for Mirage 5s.<ref name="Eden p.399"/>

Jaguars were successfully sold to a number of overseas countries, India being the largest operator. The ''Jaguar International'' was an export version which was sold to [[Ecuador]], [[Nigeria]] and [[Oman]]. The [[Ecuadorian Air Force]], the only Latin American export customer, purchased 10 single- and 2 two-seat variants, officially designated ''Jaguars ES'' and ''EB'', respectively.<ref name="Eden p.399"/> The first of twelve aircraft arrived in January 1977.<ref name="Eden p.399"/> They were used mainly for ground attack roles and occasionally for air superiority duties during the [[Cenepa War]] with Peru in 1995, but the main part of the fleet was held in reserve in case of a wider conflict with the Peruvians.<ref>Cooper, Tom. {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20031011115124/http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_164.shtml "Peru vs. Ecuador; Alto-Cenepa War, 1995."]}} ''Air Combat Information Group,'' 1 September 2003. Retrieved: 15 November 2010.</ref> Nigeria ordered 13 single-seat ''SN'' and 5 two-seat ''BN'' variants; SEPECAT delivered the first of these in May 1984.<ref name="Eden p.399"/> A subsequent order for an 18-aircraft second batch was cancelled.<ref name="Eden p.399"/> Some of those in service were withdrawn from operations on the grounds of economy, with the remaining aircraft put up for re-sale.<ref name="Eden p.399"/> The [[Royal Air Force of Oman]] ordered 10 single-seat and 2 two-seat variants, designated ''Jaguars OS'' and ''OB'', respectively; the first was delivered in March 1977.<ref name="Eden p.399"/> A second identical 12-aircraft order was placed in the mid-1980s; these were joined by two secondhand Indian and RAF examples. The last of the Omani aircraft were retired on 6 August 2014.<ref name="flightglobal.com">[http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/oman-retires-last-jaguar-strike-aircraft-402605/ Oman retires last Jaguar strike aircraft] – Flightglobal.com, 12 August 2014</ref>