The Indian Air Force’s Tejas fighter jet crashed during a flight demonstration at the Dubai Air Show on Friday evening, and the accident marked a tragic end to the final day of the event.
Spectators watched in shock as the aircraft went down mid-flight and then exploded into a ball of fire at Al Maktoum International Airport. Consequently, thick black smoke rose into the sky and sirens immediately sounded across the venue.
The pilot did not appear to eject in the video footage, and he sustained fatal injuries. Afterwards, the IAF confirmed the loss, stating, “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.”
As a result, the crash has raised serious concerns, and calls for a detailed investigation have intensified to rule out sabotage. Moreover, observers noted that the Tejas program has faced criticism and smear campaigns since its debut, which makes transparency in the inquiry crucial.
Meanwhile, the HAL Tejas remains a single-engine, multi-role light combat aircraft jointly developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA). Its name, officially adopted in 2003, means Radiance in Sanskrit. Importantly, Tejas is India’s first home-grown fighter jet, though powered by a foreign engine. Currently, the Indian Air Force operates the Mk1 variant and awaits deliveries of the upgraded Mk1A version, which features advanced avionics and electronic warfare systems.
Ultimately, the Dubai crash marks the second Tejas accident in two years, and it intensifies scrutiny of India’s indigenous fighter program.
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