This is the second crash of a Tejas aircraft. A Tejas Mk1 aircraft went down near Jaisalmer during a training sortie in March 2024. Its pilot ejected safely.
The IAF has not yet identified the pilot killed in the Dubai crash. A Court of Inquiry is being constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident, the IAF said in a statement.
“IAF deeply regrets the loss of life and stands firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief,” it said in its statement.
Multiple visuals of the crash on social media platforms showed the aircraft nosedive during an aerial display at the Dubai air show, erupting into a fireball immediately after it hit the ground. Large plumes of black smoke were seen emanating from the site.
A Tejas plane taking part in a demonstration at the Dubai Air Show crashed on Friday afternoon (November 21). The HAL made plane went down around pm local time while performing an aerial display before a large crowd.
Thick black smoke was seen rising from the crash site near… pic.twitter.com/0VosEYIGQt
— The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) November 21, 2025
It is learnt that the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft crashed around 2.10 pm Friday during the aerial display, being watched by a large audience.
An IAF contingent comprising the Suryakiran aerobatic team and three LCA Tejas aircraft had travelled to Dubai for participation in the air show.
Manufactured indigenously by state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the IAF currently has two operational squadrons of the Tejas Mk1, one each at Naliya in Gujarat and Sulur near Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu.
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The IAF is scheduled to receive 180 Tejas Mk1A from HAL – delivery is yet to commence. The Tejas Mk1A, powered by General Electric F404 engines, has multiple upgrades over the Mk1 version, including integration of the AESA radar, Advanced Electronic Warfare Suite with jammer, and Beyond Visual Range (BVR) capabilities with integration of Derby and the indigenous ASTRA missile.
The newly inaugurated production line in Nashik has the capacity to manufacture eight aircraft every year, and can be increased to 10. HAL is expected to produce a total of 24 aircraft annually. Additionally, HAL is also developing the LCA Mk2 jets for the IAF.
Accidents during aerial displays at air shows around the world, including rehearsals, are not unheard of. According to IAF veterans, aerial displays often involve difficult and risky manoeuvres, and this is one of the common reasons for accidents during air displays or during their rehearsals. However, only the Court of Inquiry will be able to reveal the exact cause of the Dubai accident.
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The last such instance in India was in 2019 when two Hawk trainer jets collided in air while rehearsing for Aero India, killing a pilot.
India has demonstrated the Tejas Mk1 aircraft on various platforms, including several international air shows, highlighting its efforts in indigenous defence aviation development.
In recent years, India has made efforts to market its aircraft to various countries, and has held discussions with Malaysia, the Philippines, Nigeria, Brazil, Argentina, Egypt and Botswana, among others, to explore export opportunities for the aircraft.
