Indian Air Force halts Tejas flights after severe landing mishap
Officials have temporarily suspended operations for approximately 30 single-seat Tejas fighter jets following a severe landing mishap earlier this month. Authorities initiated an intensive technical investigation to determine what caused the aircraft to malfunction during a routine training mission at a major air base. While the plane sustained catastrophic airframe damage and might be written off entirely, emergency ejection systems worked perfectly. This critical safety feature allowed the pilot to escape the Tejas jet crash without sustaining any serious injuries.
Preliminary reports suggest a critical onboard system failure or technical glitch Tejas experts are now scrambling to identify. Defence sources indicate that investigators are closely examining the wreckage to rule out widespread manufacturing defects across the Indian Air Force squadrons. Until specialists clear the remaining planes, standard sorties and combat patrols involving this specific light combat aircraft will remain paused. Having the Tejas fleet grounded ensures aviator safety while engineers meticulously troubleshoot the suspected mechanical faults.
Unfortunately, this marks the third total loss of this indigenous aircraft model since its formal induction into military service. Readers following Indian Air Force news Odisha might recall that in March 2024, an IAF fighter jet went down near Jaisalmer after completing a firepower demonstration. Fortunately, that pilot survived. Tragically, a subsequent disaster occurred during the November 2025 Dubai Airshow, resulting in the death of the aviator. Ongoing inquiries continue for that specific international tragedy.
Compounding these immediate safety worries are significant logistical setbacks involving the advanced Mk1A manufacturing programme. Deliveries currently lag behind schedule by roughly two years. Military leaders originally placed orders for 180 of these upgraded models to modernize operations and support national defence updates. Despite the growing public concern over the recent accidents and production delays, military headquarters have withheld official public statements regarding this specific landing catastrophe.
Image Source: file Photo
