HAL Clarifies on Tejas Incident Amid Speculation Over Grounding

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has denied media reports linking a recent Indian Air Force (IAF) decision to conduct precautionary checks on its Tejas fleet to a crash. According to HAL, the incident in question was a minor technical incident on ground and not an aircraft loss. The company is analyzing the matter jointly with the IAF in line with standard procedures. AeroTime reports that the clarification follows initial media reports of a damaged Tejas aircraft during a landing incident earlier this year. Breaking Defense also notes that the episode comes at a sensitive moment for the Tejas program, which has been under scrutiny following a crash during a demonstration flight in November 2025.