A Tejas light fighter jet crashed in early February 2026 while landing after a training flight at an Indian Air Force base.
This information is published by The Economic Timeswhich cited internal sources associated with the defense sector.
The pilot managed to eject safely and did not suffer serious injuries. According to initial reports, the aircraft suffered significant structural damage and is likely to be decommissioned.
The Air Force has initiated an official investigation and inspection of the entire fleet.
Currently, India operates around 32 units of the version Tejas Mk-1. This incident involved a single-seat configuration of LCA (Light Combat Aircraft).
This event marked the third loss in a relatively small fleet, increasing pressure on the program.
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Recent incident history
This latest accident adds to two other significant incidents:
On 12 March 2024, a Tejas crashed near Jaisalmer during a training flight; The pilot also managed to eject safely.
On 21 November 2025, during a demonstration at the Dubai Airshow, a Tejas crashed after entering an uncontrolled descent at low altitude. The crash killed the pilot and sparked international questions about the platform’s reliability.
The incident in Dubai, in particular, had a direct impact on the aircraft’s export image.
The report revealed structural weaknesses
An audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) identified 53 significant deficiencies in the Mark-I version that directly affected operational capabilities. Some key points include:
- Excess weight and limited thrust, which reduces speed and maneuverability.
- Inadequate cockpit protection and fuel system.
- Internal limitations that prevent full installation of the self-defense system.
- The local content level of the component is estimated to be only around 35%, lower than the 70% previously announced.
- Dependence on foreign components increases vulnerability.
Strong dependence on foreign components is another sensitive factor. After the cessation of development of the national Kaveri engine, the program relied on the F404 and F414 engines from General Electric.
Between 2024 and 2025, supply chain delays in the United States delayed F404 engine deliveries by more than two years, directly impacting production schedules.
In 2025, HAL decided to equip 83 Mk1A aircraft with the Israeli EL/M-2052 radar from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), replacing the Indian Uttam radar. The decision raises new challenges:
Source code control remains under Israeli control.
Integration issues with the Indian Astra Mk1 missile.
The test in March 2025 failed due to a data synchronization error between the radar and weapons system.
Strategic programs in the spotlight
Tejas is a key element in the modernization and self-reliance strategy of the Indian aerospace industry. However, recent incidents, production delays and technical challenges have once again sparked debate about technological maturity, industrial management and external dependencies.
An investigation into the latest accident will determine whether there was an operational failure, human error, or systemic problem — conclusions that could directly impact production rates and international confidence in the program.
Sources and pictures: economictimes | Wikimedia. This content is created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
