In February 2026, the HAL Tejas fleet was grounded following a landing mishap, raising concerns about the operational readiness of India’s indigenous fighter jet. The grounding affected the 32 to 34 Tejas Mk1 jets that were actively serving in two operational squadrons of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
As the situation unfolded, HAL chairman DK Sunil announced that the Tejas jets are set to fly again starting April 8, 2026. This announcement marks a significant turnaround for the program, which has faced numerous challenges over the years.
Compounding the issues, HAL imposed penalties on GE Aerospace due to delays in engine deliveries for the Tejas Mk-1A variant. The contract with GE Aerospace includes a total of 99 F404 engines, but only six have been delivered so far, with the first engine arriving in March 2025. HAL expects another engine delivery by the end of April 2026, but the pace of deliveries has raised concerns.
The Tejas Mk-1A program aims to deliver over 20 aircraft by December 2026, as India has ordered a total of 180 Tejas Mk1A variants to replace aging MiG-21s. However, the program has taken longer and cost more than initially anticipated, leading to scrutiny over its management and execution.
Philip Rajkumar, an expert in military aviation, emphasized the complexity of jet engines, stating, “The jet engine is one of the most complex pieces of machinery that you can ever think of.” This highlights the technical challenges faced by HAL and GE Aerospace in delivering the required engines.
Despite these hurdles, Rajkumar defended the Tejas, asserting, “Utter rubbish. In performance, in sheer performance, LCA Tejas is better.” This statement reflects a belief in the aircraft’s capabilities, despite the setbacks in its development.
Historically, the Tejas program has faced organizational and support challenges, particularly when compared to other nations like China, which has invested heavily in its military aviation sector. As noted by journalist Sandeep Unnithan, “India spent relatively modest sums on the programme and abandoned it too early, while China poured in tens of billions of dollars with a national-level push.” This context underscores the competitive landscape in which the Tejas program operates.
As of now, the HAL Tejas is poised to resume operations, but the ongoing issues with engine supply and the overall timeline of the program remain critical points of concern for stakeholders involved.
