This article summarizes reporting by The Times of India.

Indian Air Force Grounds Tejas Fleet Following Runway Overshoot

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has grounded its entire fleet of Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) following a serious incident involving a runway overshoot at a frontline airbase. According to reporting by The Times of India, the accident resulted in major damage to the airframe, prompting an immediate suspension of flight operations for the indigenous fighter jet.

The incident, which occurred on February 7, 2026, marks a significant setback for the Tejas program. While the pilot ejected safely, the subsequent grounding of approximately 30 single-seat jets comes at a critical operational juncture for the IAF. Authorities have ordered a comprehensive technical review to rule out systemic failures before the fleet is cleared to fly again.

Incident Details and Immediate Response

The accident took place as the aircraft was returning from a routine training sortie. The Times of India reports that the jet sustained “major damage” after overshooting the runway. Preliminary information suggests the mishap may have been caused by a brake or onboard system failure upon landing.

In response to the crash, the IAF has initiated a Court of Inquiry (CoI) to investigate the precise cause. Until the inquiry provides clarity and the fleet undergoes technical scrutiny, all Tejas Mk-1 jets will remain on the ground. This precautionary measure is standard procedure to ensure pilot safety and airworthiness across the fleet.

“A Tejas light combat aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) sustained major damage to its airframe after it overshot the runway…”

, The Times of India

Impact on Exercise Vayu Shakti 2026

The timing of the grounding presents a logistical challenge for the IAF. The service is currently preparing for Vayu Shakti 2026, a major firepower demonstration scheduled for February 27 at the Pokhran Range in Jaisalmer. The Tejas fleet was expected to participate alongside Rafale and Su-30MKI fighters. With the fleet currently grounded for checks, the participation of the indigenous fighter in this high-profile exercise remains uncertain.

Safety Record and Program Context

While the Tejas program maintained a clean safety record during its long development phase, recent years have seen a troubling spike in incidents. This latest runway overshoot represents the third major Incident involving the platform in less than two years.

• February 7, 2026: Runway overshoot at a frontline airbase; pilot safe, aircraft damaged.
• November 2025: A crash occurred during an aerial display at the Dubai Airshow, resulting in the loss of the pilot and the destruction of the aircraft.
• March 2024: The first-ever Tejas crash occurred near Jaisalmer during a training sortie; the pilot ejected safely.

Delays in the Mk-1A Variant

The operational strain on the IAF is compounded by industrial delays affecting the upgraded Tejas Mk-1A program. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has faced challenges in meeting delivery schedules, primarily due to Supply-Chain bottlenecks involving the F404-GE-IN20 engines from GE Aerospace. These delays have slowed the induction of new airframes needed to replace retiring MiG-21 squadrons.

AirPro News Analysis

The grounding of the Tejas fleet highlights the fragility of relying on a single indigenous supply chain that is still maturing. While the decision to ground the fleet is a prudent Safety measure, it underscores the pressure on the IAF’s combat readiness. With the older Soviet-era jets phasing out and the Mk-1A deliveries slipping, the IAF is facing a “capability gap” that places immense weight on the existing, limited number of operational Tejas airframes. If the technical review reveals a systemic braking fault, it could lead to a prolonged grounding, further stretching the IAF’s resources during a period of heightened operational tempo.

Frequently Asked Questions

What caused the Tejas Accident?
Preliminary reports indicate a brake or onboard system failure caused the aircraft to overshoot the runway.

Was the pilot injured?
No, reports confirm the pilot ejected safely and did not sustain serious injuries.

How many Tejas jets are currently grounded?
The IAF has grounded its entire fleet of approximately 30 single-seat Tejas Mk-1 jets pending a technical review.

Will the Tejas fly in Vayu Shakti 2026?
Participation is currently in doubt. The fleet must be cleared by technical teams before the exercise scheduled for February 27, 2026.

Sources

• The Times of India

This article summarizes reporting by Reuters. The original report may be paywalled; this article summarizes publicly available elements and public remarks.

Airbus CEO Signals Readiness for “Two-Fighter” Split in FCAS Program

The future of Europe’s flagship defense project, the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), faces new uncertainty as Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury publicly acknowledged a “deadlock” in the program’s core fighter development. According to reporting by Reuters, Faury stated on February 20, 2026, that while Airbus prefers a unified program, the company is “capable” of developing a fighter jet independently if the industrial partnership with France’s Dassault Aviation cannot be salvaged.

The FCAS program, valued at approximately €100 billion and launched in 2017 by France and Germany, aims to replace the Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon fleets by 2040. However, deep divergences regarding leadership, technical requirements, and workshare have stalled progress on the Next Generation Fighter (NGF) pillar. Faury’s comments mark a significant shift, suggesting a “two-fighter solution” might be the only pragmatic way to save the broader “system of systems” architecture.

The “Two-Fighter” Proposal

In his remarks, Faury proposed a potential restructuring of the program that would allow France and Germany to build separate airframes while maintaining commonality in other critical areas. He drew parallels to civil aviation, noting that different aircraft models often share underlying systems.

According to Reuters, Faury suggested that if customer nations mandate it, Airbus would support a scenario where the airframes differ but the “system of systems,” including drones, combat cloud connectivity, and sensors, remains shared. This approach aims to preserve European collaboration on high-tech components even if the physical jets diverge.

“If mandated by our customers, we would support a two-fighter solution, and are committed to playing a leading role in such a reorganized FCAS.”

, Guillaume Faury, via Reuters

While affirming Airbus’s technical ability to proceed alone, Faury emphasized that splitting the program is not the company’s preferred outcome. He warned against rushing the decision, stating, “We would be wrong to be right too early,” urging stakeholders to wait for final political determinations before cementing a split.

Roots of the Industrial Deadlock

The current impasse stems from conflicting operational requirements and industrial disputes between the partner nations. France, represented industrially by Dassault Aviation, requires a fighter capable of carrier operations and nuclear weapons delivery. Germany, however, has questioned the necessity of these capabilities for its own fleet.

Political Divergence

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has recently cast doubt on the program’s current trajectory. In comments cited by industry observers, Merz questioned whether the German military requires a manned fighter with such specific French-driven capabilities, suggesting that the technical requirements might be incompatible.

The Dassault-Airbus Standoff

Industrially, the friction centers on the “prime contractor” status. Dassault Aviation has consistently demanded leadership over the flight control systems and stealth technology, citing its experience with the Rafale. Airbus, representing Germany and Spain, has argued for a more equal partnership, with Faury’s recent comments reflecting frustration at being treated as a junior partner despite Airbus’s peer status in global aerospace.

AirPro News Analysis

The suggestion of a “two-fighter solution” represents a critical pivot in European defense strategy. While it may solve the immediate political deadlock by allowing France to build a carrier-capable jet and Germany to build a land-based interceptor, it risks undermining the primary economic justification for FCAS: economies of scale.

Developing two separate airframes would likely duplicate R&D costs and reduce the production volume for each variant, potentially driving up the unit cost significantly. However, Faury’s focus on saving the “system of systems” (the combat cloud and remote carriers) suggests that Airbus is prioritizing the high-value software and electronics dominance over the metal of the airframe itself. If a split occurs, Europe could end up with three competing fighter programs, the French NGF, a German/Spanish NGF, and the UK-led GCAP, fragmenting the market further.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the FCAS program?
The Future Combat Air System (FCAS) is a European defense program launched by France and Germany (later joined by Spain) to develop a next-generation weapon system, including a manned fighter jet, remote carrier drones, and a combat cloud network.

Why is there a dispute?
The dispute involves both political requirements (France needs carrier/nuclear capability; Germany does not) and industrial workshare (Dassault vs. Airbus leadership on the fighter airframe).

What is the “two-fighter solution”?
It is a proposed compromise where France and Germany would develop separate fighter jets tailored to their specific needs, while still sharing the underlying “system of systems” technology like drones and sensors.

When is the fighter expected to enter service?
The target date for entry into service is currently 2040, though delays in the development phase could push this timeline back.

Sources

• Reuters

Marshall Aerospace Secures Unconditional Place in UK MoD’s Engineering Delivery Partnership

Marshall Aerospace has announced its unconditional acceptance into the Engineering Delivery Partnership (EDP) network, a critical procurement framework used by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD). This selection positions the Cambridge-based company as a “Specialist Provider,” granting it direct access to engineering service contracts from Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) and other MoD agencies.

The acceptance is described as “unconditional,” signaling that Marshall Aerospace has successfully navigated a rigorous assessment of its technical capabilities, safety standards, and commercial viability without the need for remedial actions. As a member of this select network, Marshall is now pre-qualified to support the UK Armed Forces in complex engineering tasks, ranging from avionics integration to the development of uncrewed platforms.

Understanding the Engineering Delivery Partnership (EDP)

The EDP represents a strategic collaboration designed to streamline how the British military procures engineering expertise. Established by DE&S in conjunction with the Aurora Engineering Partnership, the programme aims to enhance national operational readiness by tapping into the best available UK-resident skills and resources.

The Aurora Engineering Partnership is led by three major defence contractors:

• QinetiQ
• Atkins
• BMT

According to the press release, the EDP network serves as the “default route for procurement of engineering services by DE&S.” By joining the Provider Network, Marshall Aerospace gains a streamlined pathway to bid on and deliver essential projects that ensure Front Line Commands receive timely and effective support.

A New Role as Specialist Provider

Marshall’s entry into the network as a Specialist Provider highlights a significant expansion of its service portfolio. While the company is historically renowned for its MRO work, particularly on the C-130 Hercules fleet, this new status emphasizes its broader engineering authority.

Critical Capabilities

The assessment process for the EDP validated Marshall’s expertise across several high-demand technical areas. The company is now authorized to provide assured engineering support in:

• Avionics systems
• Uncrewed and autonomous platforms
• Systems engineering and integration
• Mechanical systems and structures
• Test and evaluation
• Modelling and simulation

Mark Hewer, Aero Engineering Services Director at Marshall, emphasized the company’s readiness to support national defence objectives through this new channel.

“Joining the EDP network reinforces Marshall’s role as a trusted UK engineering partner, enabling us to apply our decades of experience in direct support of national defence readiness and long-term capability. As a proudly British business backed by design organisation status and a wide range of approvals, we stand ready to support DE&S and the UK MoD in providing agile, efficient engineering solutions that deliver outcomes for those on the front line.”

Mark Hewer, Aero Engineering Services Director, Marshall Aerospace

AirPro News Analysis

From MRO to Complex Systems Integration

The unconditional acceptance into the EDP network marks a pivotal moment for Marshall Aerospace. Historically viewed primarily as a heavy maintenance provider, this development formally recognizes the company as a high-level design and systems engineering house. The inclusion of “uncrewed and autonomous platforms” in their approved capabilities suggests Marshall is positioning itself to play a key role in the next generation of air power, moving beyond legacy platform support.

Sovereign Capability and Assurance

In the current geopolitical climate, the MoD has placed a premium on “sovereign capability”, the ability to maintain, modify, and certify military equipment within the UK without relying on foreign entities. Marshall’s status as a UK-based Design Organisation allows it to sign off on safety-critical engineering work. By integrating Marshall into the EDP, the MoD ensures it has access to agile, mid-sized British engineering firms that can deliver complex solutions faster than some traditional global primes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Aurora Engineering Partnership?

The Aurora Engineering Partnership is a collaboration between QinetiQ, Atkins, and BMT, formed to deliver engineering services to the UK MoD. They manage the EDP and its network of specialist providers.

What does “unconditional acceptance” mean in this context?

It indicates that Marshall Aerospace passed the MoD’s technical and commercial assessment process completely, without any caveats, probation periods, or requirements for improvement plans.

What services will Marshall provide through the EDP?

Marshall will provide specialist engineering services including avionics integration, structural design, test and evaluation, and the development of uncrewed and autonomous systems.

Sources

• Marshall Aerospace