New Delhi (TDI): The Indian Air Force (IAF) has lost another Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Tejas light combat aircraft after it overshot the runway at a frontline airbase, sustaining significant structural damage, according to Indian media reports.
The incident occurred on February 7 and is believed to have been caused by brake failure. The pilot ejected safely.
In the aftermath of the accident, the IAF reportedly grounded its fleet of around 30 single-seat Tejas aircraft to carry out detailed technical inspections. The air force has not yet issued an official statement confirming the incident.
The latest setback comes as the Tejas programme faces continued delays in the delivery of the upgraded Mk-1A variant. HAL has struggled to meet supply timelines, largely due to delays in engine deliveries from GE Aerospace, according to Indian media outlets.
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This marks the third reported loss of a Tejas aircraft since its induction into service. The first crash occurred near Jaisalmer in March 2024 during a firepower demonstration, with the pilot ejecting safely.
The second incident took place in November 2025, when a Tejas jet went down during an aerial display at the Dubai Airshow.
India’s Ministry of Defense signed a contract worth INR 480 billion with HAL in February 2021 for 83 Tejas Mk-1A aircraft. A subsequent deal valued at INR 623.7 billion was inked in September 2025 for an additional 97 jets, as per Indian media reports.
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The grounding of the fleet is seen as a precautionary step while authorities assess the technical cause of the latest accident and review safety measures.
