Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has rejected media reports linking a recent Indian Air Force (IAF) decision to conduct precautionary checks on its Tejas fleet to a crash, saying the incident in question was a minor ground incident and not an aircraft loss.
“There has been no reported crash of the LCA Tejas,” HAL said in a statement. “The event in question was a minor technical incident on ground.”
The company said the matter is being analyzed jointly with the IAF in line with standard procedures, adding that the Tejas maintains a strong safety record.
The clarification follows reports in Indian media that a Tejas aircraft was damaged during a landing incident earlier in February 2026 after overshooting a runway at a frontline airbase, with initial accounts pointing to a possible braking issue. Those reports fueled speculation that the aircraft could be written off and that the IAF had subsequently grounded parts of its Tejas fleet as a precautionary measure.
Program under scrutiny
The episode comes at a sensitive moment for the Tejas program. In November 2025, a Tejas Mk1 crashed during a demonstration flight at the Dubai Airshow, killing the pilot, an accident that is still under investigation.
Read more: India’s Tejas crashes during Dubai Airshow 2025 demo flight: video
The government signed a contract in September 2025 for 97 Tejas Mk1A fighters, positioning the upgraded variant as part of the IAF’s fighter modernization plans. The Mk1A, which features improved avionics, radar, and electronic warfare systems, is expected to undergo critical evaluations in 2026 ahead of serial deliveries.
Alongside the Tejas effort, India is also moving forward with a major Rafale expansion plan, with New Delhi approving a proposed $39 billion purchase of 114 Dassault fighters.