NEW DELHI, February 25, 2026 (Agencies): The Indian Air Force (IAF) has grounded its fleet of Tejas light combat aircraft following a runway incident earlier this month, officials confirmed.
On February 7, a Tejas fighter reportedly overshot the runway during a training sortie at a frontline airbase, with preliminary reports suggesting a brake malfunction. The pilot ejected safely, but the aircraft sustained significant damage.
The IAF described the grounding as a precautionary measure, allowing engineers to conduct detailed inspections of all Tejas jets currently in service. Around 30 single-seat Tejas aircraft are operated by the force, with more on order.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the state-owned manufacturer, has downplayed the incident, calling it a “minor ground technical issue” rather than a crash. HAL maintains that the Tejas has a strong safety record, though the IAF has opted for caution until investigations are complete.
The Tejas, developed by HAL and the Aeronautical Development Agency, is India’s first indigenously built 4.5-generation multirole fighter. It is a single-engine, delta-wing aircraft designed for air-to-air, air-to-ground, and reconnaissance missions. Introduced into service in 2015, the Tejas is among the smallest and lightest supersonic fighters of its generation.
Powered by a General Electric F404-GE-IN20 turbofan engine, the Tejas can reach speeds of up to 2,220 km/h (Mach 1.6) and has a service ceiling of 16,000 meters. It is equipped with advanced avionics, electronic warfare systems, and can carry a wide range of weapons including air-to-air missiles, precision-guided bombs, and rockets. The aircraft’s operational range is approximately 739 km, with a maximum takeoff weight of 13,500 kg.
Despite its technological achievements, the Tejas program has faced criticism over delays, limited payload capacity, and questions about reliability. This latest incident marks the third major accident since its induction, raising concerns as India continues to expand its indigenous fighter program with plans for the Tejas Mk-2 and a naval variant.
The fleet will remain grounded until a technical review is completed and clearance is given for operations to resume.