NEW DELHI The Indian Air Force( IAF) has predicated its entire line of Tejas light combat aircraft following a recent accident involving one of the spurts during a training ramble before this month, Indian media reported on Monday.
A HAL Tejas Light Combat Aircraft( LCA) was involved in an incident on February 7, 2026, at a frontline air base in India. The aircraft reportedly sustained significant structural damage after overrunning the runway during a routine training flight.
original assessments suggest a possible specialized malfunction or boscage failure may have contributed to the incident, though examinations are still underway. According to The Times of India, the airman ejected safely and did n’t suffer serious injuries.
In response, the IAF has temporarily predicated all functional Tejas spurts — around 30 single- seat aircraft — to conduct comprehensive specialized examinations and safety checks across the line.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited( HAL), India’s state- possessed aircraft manufacturer, has denied media reports claiming that a Tejas spurt crashed before this month. In a statement, the Bengaluru- grounded company described the event as “ a minor specialized incident on the ground. ”
This marks the third Tejas- related mishap since the aircraft’s induction into service. In March 2024, a Tejas spurt crashed near Jaisalmer following a demonstration flight, with the airman ejecting safely. In November 2025, another Tejas aircraft went down during the Dubai Airshow, performing in the airman’s death. examinations into that crash are still ongoing.
The grounding comes at a time when the Tejas Mk1A fighter programme — a more advanced variant ordered in significant figures by the IAF is facing detainments, reportedly running nearly two times behind schedule. Slower deliveries of machines and crucial systems have hampered product and induction timelines, adding pressure on India’s indigenous fighter aircraft programme.