Single-seat, medium bomber, close-air-support aircraft.
The Jaguar is the Anglo-French answer to a 1965 requirement for a tactical strike and support aircraft. Should the Cold War in Europe gone hot, RAF and French Jaguar squadrons would have engaged Warsaw Pact forces in the initial phases. The advent of the Panavia Tornado and Dassault Mirage 2000D/N saw the Jaguar lose it's nuclear role and focus on precision tactical strike operations.
During the 1991 Gulf War, the Jaguar flew with The RAF and Armee del Aire, deploying precision munitions against Iraqi tanks and positions. During the Cenapa War in South America, Ecuadorian Jaguars acted in an air superiority role. The Jaguar flew with NATO forces in the Balkans and in Kosovo. India, the largest export customer for the Jaguar, took their fleet into combat during the Kargil war with Pakistan.
France retired her Jaguar fleet in 2005, with the RAF following in April, 2007. Ecuador's fleet of Jaguars remains in storage for economic reasons. Oman continues to operate the Jaguar and will until the selection and delivery of a new fighter occurs. India will continue to operate the Jaguar for considerable time, with new units ordered as recent as 2002.
- Country of Origin:
France/UK
- First Flight:
1968
- Initial Service Date:
1973
- No. Built:
543
- No. In Service:
0
- No. of Hardpoints:
5
- Crew:
1