The Indian Air Force (IAF) grounded the entire fleet of Tejas light combat aircraft after an accident earlier this month. According to authoritative sources, the fighter jet sustained major damage to its airframe in the incident. Following this development, the IAF grounded the entire fleet of around 30 single-seat Tejas.
These safety measures are being taken to carry out an extensive technical scrutiny, sources familiar with the matter informed. PTI. As per the report, the incident took place on 7 February 2026. This marks the third accident involving the Tejas jets designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency. The aircraft sustained major damage to its airframe following a suspected brake failure.
The jet manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) overshot the runway at a frontline airbase. In the incident, the pilot escaped uninjured. The combat aircraft that met an accident participated in training sortie before the crash. It was returning to the base when its system malfunctioned due to which the pilot had to eject himself.
In March 2024, first Tejas accident was reported, when the fighter jet crashed near Jaisalmer. Tejas crash during Dubai Airshow made headlines in November 2025 after the pilot onboard lost his life. This marked second crash in the history of the Tejas program since it entered service in 2015.
While performing a maneuver in an aerobatic display at the international airshow, Wing Commander Naman Syal’s aircraft plunged to the ground and erupted in a fireball. Announcing the death of the IAF Pilot in the fatal crash, Indian Air Force had issued a statement, “An IAF Tejas aircraft met with an accident during an aerial display at the Dubai Air Show today. The pilot sustained fatal injuries in the accident. IAF deeply regrets the loss of life and stands firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief.”
The latest episode comes at a time HAL missed multiple deadlines to deliver the Tejas Mark 1A variant of the aircraft to the IAF. The defense ministry had sealed ₹48,000 crore deal with HAL in February 2021 to procure 83 Tejas Mk-1A jets for the IAF. The delay in delivery arises from GE Aerospace’s failure to timely supply its aero engines to power the jets.
