IAF's Jaguar Darin-III Confirmed for Service Beyond 2035 with HAL’s Cutting-Edge AESA Radar and ASRAAM Upgrades

The Indian Air Force's (IAF) Jaguar Darin-III strike aircraft are set to continue their service well beyond 2035, according to confirmation from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

This extended operational life is the result of a comprehensive life extension program coupled with significant technological enhancements, most notably the integration of advanced radar and missile systems.

The incorporation of the ELM-2052 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Fire Control Radar and the Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) has substantially boosted the combat effectiveness of these aircraft, ensuring they remain a relevant asset for at least another decade.

The Jaguar, an aircraft renowned for its deep-penetration strike capabilities, has been a vital component of the IAF’s arsenal since its induction in the late 1970s.

Originally an Anglo-French design, the aircraft has undergone several upgrades in India. The latest Darin-III upgrade, executed by HAL, significantly modernises the aircraft’s avionics, radar systems, and weapon-carrying capacity.

These improvements enable the Jaguar Darin-III to execute precision strikes, engage in air superiority missions, and perform reconnaissance tasks with greater accuracy and efficiency.

The state-of-the-art ELM-2052 AESA radar provides enhanced capabilities in detecting and tracking multiple targets simultaneously, even in contested environments.

Furthermore, the addition of the ASRAAM missile system improves the aircraft’s ability to engage hostile aircraft, making the Darin-III a potent platform in contemporary aerial combat scenarios.

In line with its fleet modernisation plans, the Indian Air Force reportedly intends to begin phasing out the older, less capable Jaguar Darin-I and Darin-II variants from 2028-2029.

These earlier versions, which have not received the comprehensive upgrades of the Darin-III, are approaching the end of their serviceability. The retirement of these older aircraft will help streamline the IAF’s operational inventory, allowing a greater focus on technologically advanced platforms like the upgraded Darin-III to maintain a high state of combat preparedness.

The decision to extend the life of the Jaguar Darin-III through advanced upgrades reflects the IAF's broader strategy of optimising the utility of its existing military assets while progressively inducting newer aircraft, such as the indigenous Tejas Mk1A and other future acquisitions.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's pivotal role in upgrading and sustaining the Jaguar fleet highlights the public sector undertaking's expertise in maintaining legacy aircraft.

This effort also strongly supports India’s national objective of achieving self-reliance in defence manufacturing, a key goal of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

 

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[Mayank393]

I don't know how many more pilots will lose their lives flying these old fighters.

 

[sanket]

Better to speed up MRFA instead of upgrading; it would have been wise if the Mirage-2000 was upgraded with AESA Radar with Uttam & indigenous weapon platform.

 

[king dorm]

By 2030, Jaguar will be our MiG-21. It's sad to see that at the same time our enemies are talking about inducting 5th-gen into their force, we are talking about extending the service of our already old jets by another decade.

 

[Baiju Bhaskaran]

Jaguars are one of the best aircraft. We also have the licence to produce huge quantities. The DARIN III upgraded models are those which were produced from 2001, so it is not that old. 2035 is the right time for its phase-out.

 

[Chandrashekar Raghupathy]

If it is serving our requirements, why not? Why throw away when it can contribute?

 

[Kira]

I mean, the Jaguar Darin 3 variants with substantial upgrades are potent enough to remain in service for more than a decade, especially if they are able to carry stand-off weapons for long-distance engagements. Then again, they are a hazard to fly with an older and underpowered engine, plus they will steadily feel the dearth of spares and maintenance issues due to aging airframes. IAF and HAL should instead do their best to induct the Tejas MK-2 to replace these fast-aging birds that routinely become a danger to their pilots.

 

[Sandeep]

The Darin 3 aircraft were mainly the jets manufactured in India after 2000 in response to the Kargil war and they did upgrade some of the newest jets that were received before 2000 which gives us about 40-60. The latest platform is old but it still has at least another 10-15 years of lifetime left and the upgrade has made it into a modern and capable jet.

We upgraded the radar, avionics, mission computers, EW, RWR, HUD etc. We can use stand off weapons like long range BVR and A2S missiles, glide bombs, HSLD bombs, unguided bombs etc. So the jets are still quite capable for bombing missions but less capable in air to air combat or using it in contested air space which is why they are rarely used.

We should definitely look to retire the jets as soon as an alternative is available like the Tejas MK1A and MK2 jets which needs to be expedited. In the meantime we should use whatever jets we have got as long as it’s safe and capable to do so.

 

[Tirumala Jha]

Its radar is not capable of firing long-range BVRs. We need to fire more than 150km range BVRs to compete with China and Pak.

 

[Imaxxx]

How is IDRW calling DARIN III an air superiority fighter? It has only a short range ASRAAM - which is for self defence, not air superiority. It cannot engage fighters at 80km distance even if it's AESA radar detects it. AESA is to detect bogeys early and take evasive action, not to engage enemy fighters at long range.

 

[Imaxxx]

What about the engines? Existing mid life overhaul or new engines planned?

 

[Sandeep]

Its radar is not capable of firing long-range BVRs. We need to fire more than 150km range BVRs to compete with China and Pak.

We upgraded the radar and installed the Israeli AESA EL/M-2052 as part of the Darin III upgrade program. That radar can detect targets at least 300km in the air and 200km for the surface. We haven’t installed any long range BVR missiles so far but we will with our indigenous Astra MK1-3.

So far we have integrated and installed the Rampage missile, Rudram missile, Harpoon and Sea Eagle missile, ASRAAM missile and then we have our indigenous HSLD bombs, Glide bombs, SAAW bombs, LGB and PGB bombs along with a standard unguided bombs.

While the jet may be old the technology, equipment and weapons package makes this a formidable and lethal jet for bombing missions.

 

[Senapati]

Jaguar upgraded with AESA radar ASRAAM air to air missile and Rampage ground attack missile can extend its useful srevice.

 

[Imaxxx]

We upgraded the radar and installed the Israeli AESA EL/M-2052 as part of the Darin III upgrade program. That radar can detect targets at least 300km in the air and 200km for the surface. We haven’t installed any long range BVR missiles so far but we will with our indigenous Astra MK1-3.

So far we have integrated and installed the Rampage missile, Rudram missile, Harpoon and Sea Eagle missile, ASRAAM missile and then we have our indigenous HSLD bombs, Glide bombs, SAAW bombs, LGB and PGB bombs along with a standard unguided bombs.

While the jet may be old the technology, equipment and weapons package makes this a formidable and lethal jet for bombing missions.

Jaguar is a ground attack fighter, and all missiles you mentioned are air to surface. Unlikely the mission mode will change to air superiority