Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on Monday denied reports claiming that a Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas had crashed earlier this month, asserting that the episode was merely a “minor technical incident on ground”.
In a statement, the Bengaluru-based aerospace and defence major sought to clarify what it described as inaccurate media reports. “HAL acknowledges the recent media reports on the LCA Tejas incident and wishes to provide factual clarification. There has been no reported crash of the LCA Tejas. The event in question was a minor technical incident on ground,” the state-run firm said.
Emphasising the aircraft’s operational track record, HAL added: “LCA Tejas maintains one of the world's best safety records among contemporary fighter aircraft. As a standard operating procedure, the issue is being analysed in depth and HAL is working closely with the Indian Air Force (IAF) for a speedy resolution.”
Also read: IAF grounds entire fleet of Tejas jets for technical scrutiny
The Indian Air Force has not issued a statement on the matter so far.
The LCA Tejas, a single-engine multirole fighter developed indigenously, is a cornerstone of India’s efforts to modernise its air combat fleet and reduce dependence on imports. Over the past few years, the aircraft has been inducted in growing numbers into IAF squadrons.
There have, however, been two confirmed crashes involving the LCA Tejas in recent years. The first occurred near Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer in March 2024. The second incident took place during a manoeuvre at the Dubai Air Show, where an aircraft went down while performing an aerial display.
HAL’s clarification comes amid heightened scrutiny of indigenous defence platforms, with the Tejas programme often cited as a flagship example of India’s expanding aerospace capabilities. By firmly rejecting crash reports, the company sought to underline both the aircraft’s safety credentials and its ongoing coordination with the IAF to address technical issues through established procedures.
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