• Source:JND

The Indian Air Force is set to resume operations of its HAL Tejas jets next week, nearly two months after the entire fleet was grounded following an accident at a frontline airbase. According to the information, around 34 aircraft are set to operate from April 8.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Chairman and Managing Director DK Sunil confirmed that the issue behind the grounding has been resolved, clearing the aircraft for service return. “All the Tejas jets are set to fly again from next Wednesday,” PTI quoted DK Sunil.

ALSO READ: US-Iran War: Three Tankers, Broadcasting Omani Ownership, Enter Strait Of Hormuz Through New Route Along Oman Coast

Software glitch identified and fixed

The fleet was grounded in early February after a jet overshot the runway during a training sortie, damaging its airframe. The initial assumption was that it was caused by brake failure; however, after an extensive evaluation, the problem was found to be due to a software glitch in the jet’s internal system. The software error has now been addressed.

As operations resume, the delay in the delivery of the Tejas Mk-1A models continues to create challenges for HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) further delaying Hal’s (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) ability to deliver over 20 jets by the end of December and six of the jets are now close to being handed over after additional testing has been performed on the aircraft’s radar, communication systems, and missile systems.

The IAF (Indian Air Force) is counting on the delivered jets to make up for its current decline in squadron strength, with squadron strength currently at 29 versus a sanctioned total of 42.

Another major factor in HAL’s difficulty in delivering the jets has been the delay of the GE Aerospace (General Electric Aerospace) engines for the jets (F-404 Engine) and problems with GE Aerospace (General Electric Aerospace) not completing several delivery dates for engines. So far, five engines have been delivered, with another expected soon. HAL has reportedly imposed penalties on the company under contractual provisions for the delays.

ALSO READ: ‘Had To Be Very Disciplined’: Rajpal Yadav Reflects On His Time In Tihar Jail

The Tejas programme remains central to India’s defence modernisation. In February 2021, HAL signed a deal worth Rs 48,000 crore with the Indian Ministry of Defence for 83 Tejas Mk1A fighter jets, and then in September 2025, they agreed to buy another 97 aircraft valued at Rs 62,370 crore. 

The Tejas aircraft is designed as a single-engine, multi-role fighter capable of being used for air-to-air defence, maritime reconnaissance and strike operations. In addition, the new aircraft were intended to be able to operate in a high-threat environment.


Also In News