Tragedy during air-show demonstration
A fighter jet of the HAL Tejas type, operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF), crashed during a demonstration flight at the Dubai Air Show on 21 November 2025 at around 2:10 p.m. local time. The pilot was fatally injured, the IAF confirmed.
Eyewitness footage shows the aircraft performing a manoeuvre at low altitude, then suddenly losing control and descending sharply, followed by a burst of black smoke at the crash site near Al Maktoum International Airport.
Immediate response and investigation
Fire-fighting and emergency teams responded swiftly at the scene. The IAF announced that a court of inquiry has been constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident. In a statement, the IAF said: “The pilot sustained fatal injuries in the accident… The Air Force deeply regrets the loss of life and stands firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief.” The Dubai Air Show organisers temporarily halted flying displays while the site was secured and cleared.
Significance of the aircraft and context
The Tejas is India’s indigenous lightweight multi-role combat aircraft, produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and intended to replace older fighters in the IAF. This incident marks the second known crash of the Tejas series, following a prior crash in India in 2024 where the pilot ejected safely. The crash takes place at a time when India is working to scale up production and deployment of Tejas jets under its defence-modernisation agenda.
Potential implications
- Operational & technical review: The inquiry will investigate whether the crash was due to mechanical failure, pilot error, environmental factors or other causes. The findings will matter for deployment and production of Tejas jets.
- Diplomatic optics: The incident occurred in a high-profile international venue, potentially raising questions about display safety, aircraft readiness and national image.
- Industry & defense policy: Any technical issues revealed may impact procurement schedules, export ambitions or further confidence in the indigenous programme.
- Safety protocols: Demonstration flights inherently carry risk; the event may prompt further review of aerobatic display safety, especially for new aircraft types in public air-shows.
What to watch next
- The official report from the court of inquiry: anticipated to outline the crash chain-of-events and probable cause.
- HAL and IAF responses: any grounding of remaining demonstration flights, production halts or technical inspections.
- Whether affected stakeholders (domestic and international) respond by reassessing contracts, display commitments or future air-show participation.
- Public and media commentary: how the incident influences perception of India’s defence-manufacturing ambitions and the safety record of indigenous platforms.
Final word
The loss of a pilot and a cutting-edge aircraft in such circumstances is a somber reminder of the risks inherent in aviation and defence demonstrations. While India’s Tejas programme carries significant strategic importance, the forthcoming investigation will be crucial in determining how the incident is interpreted — whether as an unfortunate accident or a signal of deeper technical or operational issues. The coming days will be watched closely by defence planners, aerospace stakeholders and international observers alike.
