NEW DELHI: The Indian Air Force (IAF) suffered another setback with the loss of a HAL Tejas earlier this month, Indian media reported. The pilot ejected safely after the aircraft sustained severe damage during landing at an operational or forward air base following a routine training sortie.
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Initial accounts suggest a possible technical malfunction, including issues with onboard systems, while other reports point to a potential brake failure that may have caused the aircraft to overrun the runway. The exact cause is under investigation. Due to the extent of the damage, the aircraft is likely to be written off.
This marks the third Tejas aircraft lost since its induction into the IAF. The first crash occurred near Jaisalmer in March 2024 during a firepower demonstration, with the pilot ejecting safely. A second loss happened in November 2025 at the Dubai Airshow during an aerobatic display, resulting in the death of pilot Namansh Syal; an inquiry into that incident is still ongoing.
The Indian Air Force has grounded all ~30 single-seat Tejas aircraft after a February 7 incident involving suspected brake failure that led to major airframe damage. Thankfully, the pilot ejected safely.
This marks the third accident in the Tejas program’s service history… pic.twitter.com/ak7f8PnoEZ
— SSBCrack (@SSBCrack) February 23, 2026
Following the latest crash, Indian media reported that the IAF has grounded its fleet of approximately 30 single-seat Tejas jets to carry out thorough technical checks and a safety investigation.
The accident comes amid delays in the Tejas Mk1A program, with deliveries nearly two years behind schedule despite an order for 180 Mk1A fighters. Last September, India’s defence ministry signed a new deal worth INR 623.7 billion to procure 97 additional Tejas Mk1A jets, designed for air defence, maritime reconnaissance, and strike missions.
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The IAF has not yet released an official statement regarding the latest incident, leaving questions about technical reliability and the timeline of ongoing fleet upgrades.