HAL denies LCA Tejas crash reports, says incident was minor ground issue

Responding to media reports that suggested a crash involving the LCA Tejas aircraft, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on Monday clarified that no such crash had taken place and that the incident was limited to a minor technical issue on the ground. It emphasised that there was no airborne accident.

In a filing with the stock exchange, HAL said, "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 the ground. 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."

Earlier, on February 13, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh had shared an update on the progress of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mark 1A programme. Speaking to ANI on Friday, he said five engines are currently available and five aircraft are already flying.

He noted that production has largely stabilised for Indian vendors as well as the main manufacturer, HAL, and is expected to improve further once engine supplies stabilise. He also pointed out that while weapon trials have been successful, certain requirements of the Indian Air Force have not yet been fully met.

Highlighting the need for further refinement, he said some operational requirements still require improvement. However, with a planned order of 180 aircraft, the system is expected to evolve over time to fully meet the Air Force’s needs.

"On LCA Mark 1A, the five engines are available, and five aircraft are flying. Once this engine supply line stabilises, the production seems to have stabilised in any case, as far as the Indian vendors and the system and the integrator, which is HAL, are concerned. On the acceptance by the Air Force, there are some areas where the level of some of the requirements that the Air Force had is not fully met, perhaps. Although the weapons trials have been successful," the Defence Secretary said.

He reiterated that certain operational requirements still need improvement but expressed confidence that the large order size would allow the platform to mature further.

"However, there are issues with some of the ORs made available to HAL... The idea is that with a 180-aircraft order, over time, they should be able to really perfect it and make it meet the entire requirements of the Air Force," he said.

Earlier this month, on February 5, HAL had confirmed that five LCA Mk1a fighter jets are fully ready for delivery, while nine additional aircraft have already been built and flown.

In a statement, the public sector aerospace and defence company assured that it remains on track to meet the projected guidance for the current financial year.

"HAL confirms that five aircraft are fully ready for delivery, incorporating major contracted capabilities in accordance with the agreed specifications. An additional nine aircraft have already been built and flown. Upon receipt of engines from GE, these aircraft will be made ready for delivery," the company said.