The first phase of the upgrade programme for Jaguars, deep-penetration strike aircraft of Indian Air Force, has been successfully completed, which will add more lethality to the fleet's long-range ground attack capability.
The upgrade programme, considered significant to maintain effective airpower strength of the type, was carried out by aerospace and defence manufacturing major Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL).
"We successfully completed the first phase of the upgrade programme for the Jaguar aircraft and delivered the fleet to Indian Air Force," General Manager of HAL's Aircraft Design and Research Centre P L Vaishampayan told PTI here.
Vaishampayan said the upgrade programme included a new version of avionics apart from other features which would make the planes more lethal for the long-range ground attack operation.
"The upgrade programme has added more teeth to the fleet's striking capability."
The main focus of the upgrade programme was to replace the older version of the avionics in the aircraft with a new version, known as display attack ranging inertial navigation (Darin-3).
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The HAL is carrying out another development programme for the Jaguar fleet which includes additional features like an advanced radar system.
"Another development programme is going on for the strike aircraft to add some additional features like advanced radar systems which IAF wants," Vaishampayan said.