Is HAL Tejas Facing Turbulence? Indigenous Fighter May Miss ‘Vayu Shakti’ Exercise After Incident

New Delhi, February 25, 2026 — India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas appears to be navigating a challenging phase, with the fighter fleet undergoing intensive technical scrutiny following a recent ground incident. The development has raised the possibility that the aircraft may not participate in the upcoming ‘Vayu Shakti’ air power exercise.

According to media reports, the Tejas fleet has not been flying for over two weeks after an incident earlier this month, and the aircraft was notably absent from the full-dress rehearsal held at Pokhran on Tuesday. The main ‘Vayu Shakti’ event is scheduled for February 27.

Technical Review Underway

The Tejas was expected to be showcased as a symbol of India’s indigenous defence capabilities during the high-profile exercise, where the Indian Air Force will demonstrate its rapid strike capabilities and operational dominance in simulated combat scenarios.

However, sources indicate that the fleet is currently undergoing a detailed maintenance and technical review to ascertain the cause of the February 7 incident, which reportedly occurred during take-off from an airbase.

Initial assessments suggest that the aircraft may have suffered structural damage. Some reports indicate that the fighter could potentially be declared beyond economical repair, although the Air Force has not issued an official statement. The IAF typically refrains from commenting on incidents occurring within airbases.

Nature of the Incident

According to sources cited in reports, the event was classified as a “ground incident,” meaning it occurred while the aircraft was on the runway and not airborne. Preliminary findings suggest a sudden technical malfunction during the take-off run, possibly related to the braking system, which may have caused a tyre burst. The aircraft subsequently veered off the runway.

Such occurrences are formally categorized as an “incident” rather than an accident or crash.

HAL’s Response

The aircraft involved is believed to be one of the 32 single-seater LCAs supplied by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to the Indian Air Force. HAL had earlier described the episode as a “minor technical snag” and stated that it was working closely with the IAF to resolve the issue at the earliest.

This marks the third major mishap linked to the LCA Tejas fleet, with two aircraft having previously crashed.

High-Profile Exercise

The ‘Vayu Shakti’ exercise will be attended by President Droupadi Murmu, who is the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. The event will also showcase successful air operations conducted during Operation Sindoor.

The potential absence of Tejas from such a marquee demonstration would be significant, given its role as the cornerstone of India’s indigenous fighter aircraft programme and a key component of the country’s defence modernization strategy.

Strategic Implications

While the ongoing technical review is a standard safety protocol, the development has drawn attention due to Tejas’ importance in strengthening India’s self-reliance in defence production. Any prolonged grounding could impact operational deployment schedules and future induction plans.

Officials are expected to take a final call on the aircraft’s participation in the February 27 exercise after the technical assessment concludes.

For now, India’s homegrown fighter remains grounded — awaiting a clean bill of health before returning to the skies.