The Indian Air Force is set to resume operations of its HAL Tejas fighter jets after a temporary grounding earlier this year for safety checks. The fleet was grounded in February following a runway-related incident, as a precautionary step to allow a detailed technical evaluation.

According to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Chairman and Managing Director D K Sunil, the review process has now been completed and the aircraft are expected to return to service soon.

He said the Local Modification Committee (LMC), which was examining the issue, has finished its assessment and approved the aircraft for operations. Final clearance is expected shortly, after which the jets will gradually begin flying again.

Before resuming flights, all aircraft will undergo mandatory “one-time checks.” These are standard preventive inspections to ensure that all systems meet the required safety standards. Officials said the return to service will follow a structured safety process jointly managed by HAL and the Indian Air Force to ensure full operational readiness.

The clearance applies to all 36 Tejas aircraft currently in service. Once cleared, the full fleet will be brought back into active duty in a phased manner. This will restore the strength of the Indian Air Force’s two Tejas squadrons, No. 45 Squadron (Flying Daggers) and No. 18 Squadron (Flying Bullets).

The Tejas programme is an important part of India’s push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing. The quick return of the aircraft to service highlights confidence in the platform’s safety and reliability.

The resumption of operations is expected to strengthen the Indian Air Force’s readiness while reaffirming the progress of India’s indigenous fighter jet programme.