NEW DELHI — The Indian Air Force has grounded its fleet of single-seat Tejas fighter jets after another aircraft sustained major damage in a runway incident earlier this month, according to Indian media reports.
The light combat aircraft, manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, overshot the runway at a frontline airbase on February 7, reportedly due to a brake failure. The pilot ejected safely, The Times of India reported.
In the aftermath of the incident, the Air Force suspended operations of roughly 30 single-seat Tejas jets to conduct comprehensive technical inspections, The Hindu said, citing sources familiar with the matter. The IAF has not issued an official statement.
The setback comes at a sensitive time for India’s indigenous fighter program. Deliveries of the upgraded Tejas Mk-1A variant have faced delays, with HAL attributing some of the disruption to missed engine delivery deadlines by GE Aerospace.
The latest accident is reported to be the third loss involving a Tejas aircraft since its induction. In March 2024, a jet crashed near Jaisalmer following a firepower demonstration, with the pilot ejecting safely. A second aircraft was lost in November 2025 during an aerial display at the Dubai Airshow.
India has invested heavily in the Tejas program as part of a broader push to strengthen domestic defense manufacturing. In February 2021, the Defence Ministry signed a 480 billion-rupee contract with HAL for 83 Tejas Mk-1A jets. That was followed in September 2025 by a separate deal worth 623.7 billion rupees for 97 additional aircraft, according to Indian media reports.
The grounding underscores the operational and reputational challenges facing the program as the Air Force seeks to modernize its aging fleet while maintaining readiness.
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