DUBAI, UAE – November 21, 2025 — A Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed today during an aerial display at the prestigious Dubai Airshow 2025, resulting in the tragic death of the pilot.

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The indigenous single-engine fighter jet went down shortly after 2:10 p.m. local time (around 3:40 p.m. IST) at the Al Maktoum International Airport, the venue for the biennial event. The incident sent a plume of thick black smoke billowing across the airfield and shocked spectators gathered to watch the flight demonstration.

Fatal Accident and Official Confirmation

 

The crash occurred while the Tejas was performing a scheduled aerobatic routine on the final day of the air show. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the aircraft appear to lose power or balance during a steep climb or a low roll manoeuvre before rapidly plunging toward the ground.

The Indian Air Force swiftly confirmed the fatality in an official statement, expressing profound regret over the loss:

Official Statement (IAF): “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. A court of inquiry is being constituted, to ascertain the cause of the accident.”

The identity of the deceased pilot has not yet been officially released by authorities, pending notification of the next of kin.

Immediate Response and Inquiry

 

Emergency response teams, including civil defense and fire services, rushed to the crash site immediately. The air show was temporarily halted, and visitors were directed away from the exhibition area as rescue operations and security protocols were enacted.

Both the Indian Air Force and the UAE Ministry of Defence confirmed that a Court of Inquiry is being constituted. The inquiry will investigate the exact cause of the crash, focusing on potential factors such as technical malfunction, human error, or external conditions. Experts from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the manufacturer of the Tejas, are also expected to be involved.

Setback for India’s Defence Showcase

 

The HAL-built Tejas Light Combat Aircraft is a flagship component of India’s “Make in India” defence manufacturing strategy. Its presence at the Dubai Airshow—one of the world’s most prominent aerospace events—was intended to highlight India’s self-reliance and global capability in fighter jet design and production, positioning the aircraft for potential international sales.

The crash is a significant setback, coming just a day after the government had dismissed claims circulating on social media regarding a prior oil leakage from the Tejas Mk1 at the same event, confirming the videos showed a routine procedure, not a malfunction.

This is the second recorded crash involving an IAF Tejas jet. The first incident occurred on March 12, 2024, near Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, during an operational training sortie, where the pilot safely ejected.