Indian Air Force grounds entire Tejas fleet after series of incidents

New Delhi: The Indian Air Force has temporarily grounded its entire fleet of Tejas light combat aircraft following a series of incidents, including a recent mishap on February 7.

According to Indian media reports, all 35 operational HAL Tejas fighter jets have been withdrawn from flight operations pending a comprehensive technical inspection. The final cause of the latest accident has yet to be determined.

The inspections include analysis of landing gear metal components, examination of the electromagnetic braking system, and a review of onboard software systems.

In the February 7 incident, a single-seat Tejas aircraft was damaged during landing. The pilot sustained injuries but survived. Reports suggest the aircraft’s structure suffered significant damage and may be declared beyond repair.

This marks the third major incident involving the Tejas since its induction into the Indian Air Force in 2016. The first occurred in March 2024 near Jaisalmer during a return from a firepower demonstration, where the pilot ejected safely. The second incident took place in November 2025 during an aerial display at the Dubai Airshow, resulting in the pilot’s death.

Meanwhile, state-owned manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) described the February 7 event as a minor technical malfunction rather than a crash. The company stated that a detailed analysis is underway in accordance with standard operating procedures and that it is working closely with the Air Force to resolve the issue promptly.

HAL also maintained that the Tejas ranks among fighter jets with a strong safety record compared to its global counterparts.