A tragic accident unfolded at the Dubai Air Show 2025 on Friday when an Indian Air Force (IAF) Tejas fighter jet crashed during an aerial display, resulting in the death of its pilot. The Tejas, a single-seat Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), was scheduled to perform an eight-minute aerobatic demonstration at 2:15 pm local time before a large international audience.
In an official statement, the IAF confirmed the incident.
“An Indian Air Force Tejas aircraft has crashed at the Dubai Air Show 2025. Further details are being ascertained. A court of inquiry is being constituted to determine the cause of the accident,” the force said. It later confirmed that the pilot onboard did not survive the crash.
The accident comes just a day after the Indian government rejected circulating social media claims that the Tejas Mk1 had suffered an oil leak during the event. Officials described the viral posts as “false” and “propaganda-driven”, asserting that the aircraft was in optimal display condition.
This crash marks the second Tejas accident in less than two years. In March 2024, a Tejas fighter jet went down in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer—the first crash since the aircraft’s maiden test flight in 2001. That incident had prompted a detailed technical review, though the aircraft was cleared for continued operations.
Tejas: India’s Indigenous 4.5-Generation Fighter
The Tejas LCA is a 4.5-generation, multi-role fighter aircraft designed for offensive air missions, close combat, and ground attack roles. Despite significant progress in recent years, HAL continues to face production challenges due to delays in engine supplies from US-based General Electric.
The Indian Air Force has placed major orders to replace its ageing fighters. In September 2025, the Ministry of Defence signed a contract worth over ₹62,370 crore for 97 LCA Mk1A aircraft, including 68 single-seaters and 29 twin-seaters. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2027–28 and continue over six years.
HAL has stated that its production line will be fully stabilised by the end of the 2025–26 fiscal year, with the capacity to manufacture up to 24 aircraft annually.
The crash at Dubai is expected to trigger a comprehensive investigation, with experts examining technical, mechanical, and operational factors. The incident is a major setback for India’s indigenous fighter programme at an international platform where the Tejas was showcased as a symbol of the country’s growing aerospace capabilities.
