New Delhi: The Indian Air Force (IAF) is pushing ahead with a major modernisation drive for its ageing Jaguar fleet, issuing a tender exclusively to domestic defence firms to upgrade 74 SEPECAT Jaguar fighter jets.
The initiative focuses on integrating advanced weaponry and pilot interface systems to sharpen the combat edge in close-range aerial engagements and extend the platform’s operational relevance.
The upgrade targets 24 Jaguar DARIN-II and 50 DARIN-III variants, replacing the outdated Magic air-to-air missile system with the Next Generation Close Combat Missile (NGCCM)— an advanced short-range air-to-air missile already selected for the fleet.
Complementing this, the jets will receive a Helmet-Mounted Display System (HMDS), enabling pilots to lock targets and view critical flight and targeting data simply by turning their heads toward threats, dramatically improving reaction time and situational awareness.
The selected Indian company will modify wiring circuits originally designed for the legacy Magic missiles to accommodate the new systems. Upgrades will take place at key IAF bases including Ambala, Jamnagar, Bhuj, Suratgarh, and Gorakhpur, with technical testing at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Bengaluru and oversight from the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE).
Under the Atmanirbhar Bharat framework, only firms with proven experience in military aircraft modifications, RCMA certification, and aerospace quality standards can bid. The winner must complete modifications for all 74 aircraft within three years, with each jet requiring about 45 days for work and testing.
Key milestones include a pre-bid meeting on March 25, 2026; bid submissions from March 26 to April 13; and technical bid opening on April 14. Inducted in the late 1970s primarily for low-level strike roles, the Jaguars — nicknamed “Shamshir”— will continue serving until the end of the decade despite the IAF’s shift toward platforms like Rafale and Tejas Mk-1A.
This upgrade underscores India’s commitment to bolstering self-reliance in defence while keeping legacy assets lethal against evolving aerial threats.