Table of Contents
In a tragic incident that has sent shockwaves through the global aviation community, an Indian Air Force (IAF) Tejas Light Combat Aircraft crashed during an aerial display at the Dubai Air Show 2025 on Friday, November 21. The accident, which occurred at approximately 2:10 PM local time (10:00 GMT), resulted in the death of the pilot, marking the first fatal crash in the fighter jet’s 24-year operational history.
What Happened: The Fatal Crash
The HAL-manufactured Tejas fighter jet was performing aerobatic maneuvers as part of India’s showcase at the Dubai Air Show 2025, held at Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central. Spectators, including families with children, watched in horror as the single-engine aircraft lost control mid-display and crashed in a ball of fire.
According to eyewitness Jignesh Variya, who attended the show with his family, the fighter jet had been flying for approximately eight to nine minutes and completed two to three laps when it suddenly went into a nose-dive. “I could see three different fireballs when it collided with the ground,” Variya told Reuters. “Everybody in the crowd stood up, and within 30 seconds, emergency vehicles rushed to the crash site.”
Thick black smoke was seen rising from the crash site, prompting panic among onlookers. Emergency sirens sounded throughout the airport as firefighting teams rushed to extinguish the burning wreckage. The Dubai Media Office later released images showing emergency crews working at the scene, with smoldering debris scattered across the site.
Timeline of the Incident
- November 17-21, 2025: Dubai Air Show 2025 takes place at Al Maktoum International Airport
- November 19, 2025: Tejas successfully performs aerobatic display (earlier performance during the week)
- November 21, 2025, ~2:10 PM local time: Tejas crashes during aerial demonstration on the final day of the show
- ~2:13 PM: Emergency teams respond immediately to the crash site
- ~3:40 PM: Flying displays resume after nearly two-hour pause
The Pilot and Immediate Response
The Indian Air Force confirmed that the pilot, a Wing Commander whose identity has not been officially released, sustained fatal injuries in the accident. “An IAF Tejas aircraft met with an accident during an aerial display at Dubai Air Show today. The pilot sustained fatal injuries in the accident. IAF deeply regrets the loss of life and stands firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief,” the IAF stated in an official release.
The UAE Defence Ministry and Dubai Media Office confirmed the incident, with emergency responders acting swiftly to manage the situation. “A Tejas fighter aircraft from India participating in today’s flying display at the Dubai Airshow has crashed, resulting in the tragic death of the pilot. Firefighting and emergency teams responded rapidly to the incident and are currently managing the situation on-site,” the Dubai Media Office posted on X.
About the HAL Tejas Fighter Jet
The Tejas, whose name means “brilliance” in Sanskrit, represents India’s ambitious push toward indigenous defence manufacturing under the “Make in India” initiative. Developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), the fighter jet has been in development since studies began in the 1980s, with first manufacture dating back to 2001.
Technical Specifications
The Tejas is a 4.5-generation multi-role combat aircraft designed for a range of missions including air defence, offensive air support, and close-combat operations. Recognized as one of the lightest and smallest fighters in its class, the aircraft features:
- Engine: General Electric (GE) engines
- Design: Single-engine, delta wing configuration
- Role: Multi-role combat – air defence, ground attack, maritime operations
- Safety Features: Martin-Baker zero-zero ejection seat (designed for safe ejection at zero altitude and zero speed)
- Generation: 4.5-generation fighter jet
India’s Indigenous Fighter Program
The Tejas program was initiated to replace India’s aging fleet of Russian MiG-21 fighters, which were officially retired in October 2025. The aircraft represents a critical component of India’s defence modernization efforts, with the IAF expecting to operate a fleet of approximately 220 Tejas fighters and advanced Mk-1A variants over the next decade.
Current orders stand at 182 aircraft already placed, with future plans calling for the induction of up to 351 Tejas fighters. A Tejas Mark II variant is currently under development, promising enhanced capabilities and performance improvements.
Investigation and Official Statements
IAF Court of Inquiry
The Indian Air Force has constituted a Court of Inquiry to investigate the cause of the crash. “A court of inquiry is being constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident,” the IAF announced. It remains too early to determine what led to the fatal crash, with experts emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation before drawing conclusions.
General Electric, which supplies the engines for the Tejas, issued a statement saying it was ready to support the investigation. The UAE aviation authority’s role in any local investigation has not been confirmed, though the Indian embassy stated it was in touch with UAE authorities.
Government and Military Leadership Response
The crash prompted an outpouring of condolences from India’s political and military leadership:
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh: Expressed being “deeply anguished” by the death of a “brave and courageous IAF pilot,” stating “The nation stands firmly with the family in this tragic hour.”
- Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan: On behalf of all ranks of the Indian Armed Forces, expressed “deep regret” at the incident and stood firmly with the bereaved family.
- Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi: Offered heartfelt condolences, stating “The nation stands with them, honouring his courage and service.”
- Former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal: Called for a “swift and proper inquiry” to determine the cause of the crash.
Dubai Air Show 2025: Context and Impact
The Dubai Air Show 2025, held from November 17 to 21, is one of the world’s largest aviation exhibitions, ranking third globally after Paris and Farnborough air shows. The biennial event was expected to attract approximately 150,000 attendees and featured over 1,500 exhibitors with more than 180 aircraft on display.
India’s Participation
India maintained a strong presence at the Dubai Airshow, showcasing a broad spectrum of its aerospace and defence capabilities. The Indian Air Force participated with performances by the Suryakiran Aerobatic Team and an exhibition of the LCA Tejas—one of the major highlights of India’s ongoing drive toward indigenous defence production.
The crash occurred on the final day of the show, Friday, November 21, just moments before what would have been the Tejas’s final display. Earlier in the week, on November 19, the Tejas had successfully performed aerobatic maneuvers at the same venue, drawing praise from defence experts and aviation enthusiasts.
India was using the platform to gauge interest from potential foreign buyers for the Tejas, as part of efforts to establish the fighter as a viable export option. However, export interest has remained limited so far, according to defence analyst Francis Tusa.
Airshow Safety Record
Friday’s accident marks the first crash on record at the Dubai Air Show, highlighting the rarity of such incidents at major aerospace events in recent decades. Airshow accidents were relatively common in the 1970s but have become increasingly rare as safety restrictions were tightened.
Notable historical incidents include a Sukhoi Su-30 crash at the Paris Airshow in 1999 and a MiG-29 crash at the same event a decade earlier—in both cases, crew members ejected safely. In 2019, Britain halted aerobatic displays during public days at the Farnborough Airshow following a 2015 crash of a vintage Hawker Hunter at a smaller show.
Following the Tejas crash, flying displays at the Dubai show were paused for approximately two hours before resuming at around 3:40 PM, reportedly with an aerobatic team taking to the skies.
Reactions on X (Twitter)
The crash quickly became a trending topic on X (formerly Twitter) in India, with #Tejas and #DubaiAirShow dominating discussions. Social media users expressed shock, grief, and concern over the incident:
- Many users mourned the loss of the brave pilot and extended condolences to the bereaved family
- Defence enthusiasts debated the implications for India’s indigenous fighter program
- Aviation experts called for patience while the investigation proceeds
- Questions were raised about the Tejas program’s safety record and future prospects
Previous Tejas Crashes and Safety Record
This was the second crash in the Tejas’s operational history, but the first to result in a fatality. The previous incident occurred in May 2024 near Jaisalmer, India, during an exercise. In that case, the pilot successfully ejected using the aircraft’s Martin-Baker zero-zero ejection seat, which is designed to function safely even at zero altitude and zero speed.
The Tejas has been in operational service for 24 years, with the first aircraft manufactured in 2001. Over this period, maintaining only two crashes—including this fatal one—represents a relatively strong safety record compared to many fighter aircraft programs during their initial decades of operation.
Implications for India’s Defence Ambitions
The crash raises critical questions about India’s indigenous fighter program at a pivotal moment for the country’s defence modernization efforts.
Export Prospects
The Tejas was being showcased at Dubai to attract international buyers, with India hoping to position the fighter as a competitive option in the global arms market. The crash, occurring during what was meant to be a demonstration of the aircraft’s capabilities, may complicate export efforts. However, aviation experts note that single incidents don’t typically derail well-established programs, especially when investigations are conducted transparently.
Future of Tejas Program
Despite this setback, the Tejas program remains central to India’s defence strategy. With the MiG-21 fleet retired, the IAF is counting on the Tejas to fill critical gaps in its fighter squadron strength. The rollout has faced delays due to slow deliveries of GE engines, blamed on post-COVID supply chain issues. However, orders for 182 aircraft are already in place, with plans for 74 billion dollars in spending on fighter jet engines over the next decade.
The advanced Tejas Mk-1A variant promises improvements including AESA radar, enhanced electronic warfare suites, beyond-visual-range missiles, air-to-air refueling capability, and higher indigenous content. Work continues on the Tejas Mark II, which aims to address capability gaps and further enhance performance.
Key Takeaways
- An IAF Tejas fighter jet crashed during the Dubai Air Show 2025 on November 21, 2025, killing the pilot
- This marks the first fatal crash in the Tejas’s 24-year operational history and only the second crash overall
- The incident occurred at approximately 2:10 PM local time during an aerial demonstration on the final day of the show
- The Indian Air Force has ordered a Court of Inquiry to investigate the cause
- This is the first crash on record at the Dubai Air Show, one of the world’s largest aviation events
- The Tejas program remains crucial to India’s defence modernization, with 182 aircraft on order and plans for up to 351 total
- Despite this tragedy, the aircraft maintains a relatively strong safety record over its operational life
Summary
A tragic accident unfolded at the Dubai Air Show 2025 on Friday, November 21, when an Indian Air Force Tejas Light Combat Aircraft crashed during an aerial display, killing its pilot. The incident occurred at approximately 2:10 PM local time at Al Maktoum International Airport on the final day of the biennial aviation exhibition. Eyewitnesses described the horror as the fighter jet lost control during aerobatic maneuvers and crashed in a ball of fire, with thick black smoke rising from the crash site. This marks the first fatal crash and only the second incident in the Tejas’s 24-year operational history, as well as the first crash ever recorded at the Dubai Air Show. The Indian Air Force has ordered a Court of Inquiry to investigate the cause, while political and military leaders expressed deep condolences to the bereaved family. The Tejas, meaning “brilliance” in Sanskrit, represents India’s indigenous defence manufacturing ambitions and was being showcased at Dubai to attract potential international buyers. Despite this setback, the program remains crucial to India’s defence strategy, with 182 aircraft already on order and plans to induct up to 351 fighters. As the investigation proceeds, questions arise about the implications for both the Tejas program and India’s broader defence modernization efforts.
