IAF Tejas Fleet Set To Resume Flights Next Week

New Delhi: The Indian Air Force’s Tejas fleet, grounded for nearly two months following a recent accident, is expected to resume flying next week, according to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.

HAL chairman D.K. Sunil said a technical issue had been identified and was under review. “There was a technical issue which has been detected, and committees are working on it...Now, it has been discussed in the LMC (local modification committee). We expect by another week, some checks will be done and we will be able to get them off the ground,” he said.

The Indian Air Force currently operates 36 Tejas aircraft, including 32 fighters and four trainers.

HAL also said it would impose penalties on GE Aviation for delays in supplying F-404 engines for the Tejas Mark 1A variant, as per contractual provisions on liquidated damages. The company has so far received five engines. The grounding follows the third incident involving Tejas aircraft. Previous crashes were reported near Jaisalmer in March 2024 and during an aerial display at the Dubai Airshow in November 2025.

Delays in engine supply and pending technical requirements have also affected delivery timelines for the Tejas Mark 1A programme. HAL is scheduled to present updates to the Indian Air Force in May on improvements made to the aircraft.

The defence ministry has placed orders for 180 Tejas Mark 1A jets, including a Rs 48,000 crore deal for 83 aircraft in 2021 and a Rs 62,370 crore contract for 97 aircraft signed last year.