India grounds entire Tejas fleet after runway incident

NEW DELHI (Dunya News) - India has temporarily grounded its entire fleet of indigenously manufactured Tejas fighter jets following a recent accident, according to a report.

Sources said that the Indian Air Force has suspended operations of all 35 Tejas aircraft currently in service and initiated a comprehensive technical inspection of the fleet.

The decision was taken after a single-seat Tejas aircraft skidded off the runway during takeoff from a forward base on the western front.

The jet reportedly veered into a nearby mud-filled ditch while accelerating to takeoff speed, which was said to be above 170 kilometers per hour at the time of the accident. The pilot sustained injuries in the incident.

Also Read: Another Tejas fighter jet crashes in India during training flight

Indian media reported that the exact cause of the accident has not yet been determined, prompting authorities to order a detailed examination of the entire fleet.

Since its induction into the Indian Air Force in 2016, this marks the third major incident involving a Tejas aircraft.

Previously, in March 2024, a Tejas jet crashed during training in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.

In another incident in November 2025, a Wing Commander was killed in an accident during the Dubai Airshow.