IAF Tejas Fighter Jet Damaged in Runway Overrun on February 7, Pilot Ejects Safely — Third Mishap

A Indian Air Force Tejas light combat aircraft was seriously damaged earlier this month after it overshot the runway while landing at a frontline airbase. The incident took place on February 7 when the fighter jet was returning from a routine training mission. Sources familiar with the matter indicated that a possible brake malfunction may have led to the overrun.

The pilot responded swiftly to the emergency situation and ejected safely. Officials confirmed that there were no injuries.

No Official Word Yet

So far, the Air Force has not issued a formal statement on the incident. Technical teams are believed to be examining the aircraft to determine the exact cause of the failure and assess whether similar risks exist across the fleet.

Third Mishap Involving Tejas

This is the third reported accident involving the indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft. In March 2024, a Tejas jet crashed near Jaisalmer during an operational sortie. Another aircraft was lost in November 2025 during an aerial demonstration at the Dubai Airshow. The latest episode has once again drawn attention to safety and reliability concerns surrounding the platform.

Delivery Delays Add Pressure

The incident comes at a time when Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is already under pressure due to delays in supplying the upgraded Tejas Mk-1A variant to the Air Force. The lag has been attributed mainly to engine supply issues from global vendors, which has affected production timelines.

Major Defence Contracts at Stake

In February 2021, the Ministry of Defence signed a ₹48,000 crore agreement with HAL for 83 Tejas Mk-1A aircraft. A follow-up contract worth ₹62,370 crore for 97 additional jets was inked in September last year. Together, these deals form a critical part of India’s plan to modernise its fighter fleet and reduce dependence on foreign aircraft.

Key Role in India’s Air Power

The Tejas is a single-engine, multi-role combat aircraft developed for high-risk combat scenarios. It is designed for air defence, strike missions and maritime operations, and remains central to India’s push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing despite the recent setbacks.