The Indian Air Force (IAF) has experienced its third Jaguar fighter jet crash within five months, with the latest incident occurring in Churu, Rajasthan, resulting in the deaths of both pilots. The SEPECAT Jaguar, a vintage aircraft inducted into the IAF fleet in the 1970s, has been involved in multiple accidents this year despite undergoing constant upgrades. The IAF Chief has acknowledged that none of the defense projects are on schedule, raising concerns about the aging fleet amid the country's highest-ever defense budget of Rs 6.8 lakh crore. Former Air Marshal Sanjeev Kapoor noted that something unusual occurred during the latest crash, as the pilots were unable to eject. The repeated losses have prompted calls for the acquisition of 5th generation fighter aircraft to replace the aging Jaguars, which are currently the only jets flown by the IAF. The incidents have led to widespread reflection on pilot safety and the urgent need for modernization within the Indian Air Force.