IAF Grounds Tejas Fleet After Runway Incident Amid Ongoing Technical Review

A Tejas Light Combat Aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) sustained major damage after overshooting the runway at a frontline airbase on February 7, 2026, during landing following a training sortie. The pilot ejected safely without serious injury. This incident marks the third involving Tejas jets since their induction in 2016. The IAF has grounded its entire fleet of about 30 single-seat Tejas jets for extensive technical scrutiny amid suspected brake failure. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the manufacturer, described the event as a minor technical incident on the ground and denied any crash, emphasizing the aircraft's strong safety record. The Tejas Mk1A variant deliveries face delays, partly due to engine supply issues from GE Aerospace.