The Indian Air Force (IAF) has encountered another setback with the loss of a Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) in an incident that unfolded earlier this month at a prominent air base. The aircraft was returning from a routine training sortie when it suffered a mishap during landing. Fortunately, the pilot successfully ejected and escaped without serious injuries.
Sources familiar with the situation reported that the aircraft sustained considerable damage due to the landing incident and will likely be declared a total loss. In the aftermath of this event, the IAF has launched a comprehensive investigation and has mandated thorough inspections of the entire Tejas fleet to eliminate potential systemic issues.
The involved aircraft was part of a batch of 32 single-seat Tejas Mk1 fighters delivered to the IAF by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). This incident raises concerns as the Air Force is anticipating the induction of the upgraded Tejas Mk1A variant. However, the delivery schedule for these advanced jets has faced multiple delays, and the IAF has placed orders for a total of 180 Mk1A aircraft, aiming to enhance its combat capabilities.
This marks the third significant accident linked to the Tejas program. Earlier, in March 2024, another LCA crashed near Jaisalmer while returning from a firepower demonstration, with the pilot once again ejecting safely. The second occurrence took place during the Dubai Airshow in November 2025, which resulted in the tragic death of the pilot during an aerobatic display. An inquiry into that specific crash remains ongoing.
As the Tejas aircraft is integral to India’s indigenous fighter development initiative, the recent mishap has intensified scrutiny concerning the operational safety and maintenance practices within the IAF. This incident underscores the challenges faced by the Air Force, which strives to maintain high fleet availability while concurrently pushing for the timely induction of new aircraft to bolster its overall preparedness.
