SEPECAT
| Company type | Joint venture |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace |
| Predecessor | British Aircraft Corporation, Breguet |
| Founded | 1966 |
| Fate | Acquired by Dassault-Breguet (Breguet acquired in 1971) |
| Products | Jaguar combat and training aircraft |
| Parent | British Aircraft Corporation, Breguet (later Dassault-Breguet) |
SEPECAT () was an Anglo-French aerospace manufacturer created in 1966 through a partnership between British Aircraft Corporation and Breguet to design and produce the Jaguar, a combat and training aircraft.
History
The Jaguar initiative began in the early 1960s to fulfill both British and French demands for a modern jet trainer and light attack platform, intended to replace older types such as the Folland Gnat, Hawker Hunter, and Fouga Magister. A 1965 agreement outlined plans to develop two aircraft: a trainer derived from the French ECAT concept and the larger AFVG (Anglo-French Variable Geometry) project. This collaboration resulted in the establishment of SEPECAT in 1966, merging Breguet (later integrated into Dassault-Breguet) with BAC to jointly manufacture the airframe.
Although partly influenced by the Breguet Br.121 design, the Jaguar incorporated major BAC contributions, notably in wing architecture and high-lift systems. Production responsibilities were divided between Breguet and BAC, with final assembly taking place in facilities located in both France and the United Kingdom. The British variants required supersonic capability and more sophisticated avionics, which led to extensive redesigns from the original French subsonic concept, effectively producing a distinct aircraft.
The engine powering the Jaguar, the Adour afterburning turbofan, was developed through a separate collaboration between Rolls-Royce Limited and Turbomeca, with manufacturing operations based in Derby and Tarnos. Previous joint Anglo-French projects had encountered difficulties, such as the cancellation of the AFVG programme and disputes surrounding Concorde's development.
Initial collaboration between BAC and Breguet was fruitful; however, following Dassault's acquisition of Breguet in 1971, focus shifted towards Dassault's own aircraft like the Dassault-Breguet Super Étendard and Dassault Mirage F1. This change resulted in diminished emphasis on the Jaguar project. Dassault successfully lobbied for the French Navy to abandon the marinised Jaguar M variant in favor of adopting the Super Étendard.
Outside of France and Britain, SEPECAT achieved notable export success, particularly with India. After some initial reluctance due to indigenous programs such as the HAL Marut, India became SEPECAT's largest foreign customer by placing an order worth $1 billion in 1978. This contract comprised 40 Jaguars manufactured at Warton Aerodrome in Europe alongside 120 license-built units produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), designated Shamsher ("Sword of Justice").