IAF Jaguar fighter jet, a look at deep penetrating strike aircraft 'Shamsher': IN PICS

The Indian Air Force 'Shamsher' is actually Jaguar fighter jet by SEPECAT (Société Européenne de Production de l'Avion d'École de Combat et d'Appui Tactique) originally made in France by Breguet and the British Aircraft Corporation.

The Jaguar programme began in the early 1960s and the first aircraft was delivered to the French Air Force in 1973, followed by British Air Force in 1974. 

While the fighter jet was initially pitched to the Indian Air Force in 1968, India placed an order worth $1 billion 1978 to procure the Jaguar over French Dassault Mirage F1 and Sweden's Saab Viggen. 

India is the only country in the world to actively deploy the Jaguar in conflict zones along side the IAF Mirage and IAF Su-30MKI. India recently acquired French-made Dassault Rafale fighter jets as well. 

The IAF Jaguar played an active role in the 1999 Kargil War with Pakistan, dropping both unguided and laser-guided bombs, defining its role as a "deep penetrating strike aircraft".

The Indian Air Force procured single-seat all-weather tactical strike, ground-attack fighter jet, 35 built by BAe and 89 built by HAL (Shamser).

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited later upgraded the Jaguar S, M and B variants for the Indian Air Force. The upgraded suite was unveiled in February 2019 and includes new avionics, a reworked cockpit and integration of modern armaments.

The HAL also made single-seat maritime strike aircraft for the Indian Air Force, which were fitted with Agave radar and capable of carrying Sea Eagle anti-ship missile.