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Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Chairman and Managing Director, Dr D.K. Sunil, has confirmed that the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas fleet will soon resume flight operations after a nearly two-month grounding.
This positive development comes after engineers successfully resolved a software issue connected to the aircraft's braking system, clearing the entire fleet of 34 grounded jets to return to the skies.
Addressing the media in New Delhi on Thursday, Dr Sunil stated that the complication was rectified through collaborative work between HAL and the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The proposed solution has now been reviewed and approved by the Local Modification Committee (LMC). Following some final routine inspections, which are expected to conclude within a week, the jets will be fully cleared for takeoff.
The software irregularity was first identified following an incident on February 7, 2026, when a Tejas fighter sustained airframe damage after overshooting the runway at a frontline airbase.
Early assessments pointed to a mechanical brake failure; however, detailed investigations later traced the root cause to a software anomaly within the digital flight control and braking systems.
HAL maintains that the event was a minor ground-level technical malfunction rather than a severe crash, noting that the pilot safely ejected without sustaining any injuries.
Following comprehensive fleet-wide inspections, HAL and the IAF worked together to develop and implement a software upgrade to eliminate the defect.
With the LMC officially clearing this new software patch, the pathway is now open for mandatory one-time ground checks and validation flights.
Dr Sunil is optimistic that these final procedures will be finished shortly, allowing active squadrons to return to regular flying duties as early as April 8.
This resolution represents a crucial step forward for India's domestic fighter initiative.
The LCA Tejas is recognised for its modern fly-by-wire technology and exceptional agility.
While the programme has faced recent hurdles—including a crash near Jaisalmer in March 2024 and another in Dubai in November 2025—the platform holds a strong overall safety record for its class since its inception.
The rapid diagnosis and correction of the recent software fault underscore the strong partnership between HAL and the IAF in maintaining strict airworthiness and reliability standards.
The return of the Tejas fleet arrives at a critical juncture for the IAF, which is currently managing a significant shortfall in its combat squadrons.
With active squadron numbers reportedly dropping to 29 against an officially sanctioned strength of 42, the air force relies heavily on these indigenous jets to sustain adequate defence force levels.
An extended grounding period would have severely impacted the nation's overall aerial operational readiness.
Furthermore, getting the active fleet back in the air provides positive momentum as HAL navigates separate supply chain challenges—including imposing contractual penalties on US-based GE Aerospace for F404 engine delivery delays—while still targeting the delivery of over 20 new Tejas Mk-1A jets by December 2026.
