IRIA News

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An Indian locally-made Tejas fighter jet crashed in a ball of fire during an aerial display at the Dubai Airshow on November 21, 2025, killing the pilot and marking the second recorded crash of the aircraft since its introduction.

The accident occurred shortly after 2 PM local time on the fifth and final day of the Dubai Air Show. The jet descended rapidly and hit the ground inside the Dubai World Central airfield, sending thick black smoke into the sky and prompting an immediate emergency response.

The Indian Air Force immediately confirmed that the pilot sustained “fatal injuries” and said it had initiated an investigation.

“IAF deeply regrets the loss of life and stands firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief,” the service said, adding that “a court of inquiry is being constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident.”

Eyewitnesses described the aircraft flying at a low altitude moments before the crash. The jet continued to descend sharply before striking the ground.

Emergency Response and Resumption of Air Show

Footage from the site showed smoke billowing from behind a fenced section of runway as firefighting teams worked to extinguish the flames.

The Government of Dubai Media Office described the pilot’s death as “tragic” and confirmed that “firefighting and emergency teams responded rapidly to the incident and are currently managing the situation on-site.”

Despite the fatal crash, flying displays resumed less than two hours later. Jets returned to the sky above the showgrounds while emergency crews continued clearing debris from the runway area.

The crash took place on the final day of the Dubai Airshow, the largest aviation event in the Middle East. The biennial exhibition was expected to draw around 150,000 attendees, with India using the platform to promote the Tejas to potential foreign buyers.

Aircraft Details and Development Background

The Tejas is a single-engine, 4.5-generation light combat aircraft built by India’s state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The jet, whose name means “brilliance” in Sanskrit, is central to New Delhi’s long-running effort to modernize its air force fleet and replace ageing Russian-designed MiG-21s. Powered by a General Electric engine, the aircraft first flew in 2001 following design studies launched decades earlier.

India plans to operate nearly 220 Tejas Mk-1 and Mk-1A variants over the next decade, though production has faced delays linked to engine deliveries and supply-chain disruptions following the COVID-19 pandemic. A more advanced Tejas Mark II is currently under development.

The incident is the second known crash involving the Tejas aircraft. The first occurred in India in 2024 during a training exercise, though the pilot survived. In March last year, an Indian Tejas also crashed in the state of Rajasthan, the first such incident since the aircraft’s initial test flight.

Geopolitical Context and Regional Airpower Competition

The crash comes at a sensitive time for India’s air force, which has faced pressure to expand and modernise its fleet amid heightened tensions with Pakistan and China. In May, India and Pakistan engaged in their heaviest combat in decades after a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir triggered a sharp escalation.

Pakistan claimed to have shot down at least six Indian jets during the clashes, a claim New Delhi initially dismissed as “disinformation.” A senior Indian general, however, later acknowledged that the air force had lost an unspecified number of aircraft.

The conflict drew international attention, with the U.S. president later stating that “five, four or five, but I think five jets” were shot down, though without providing details.

A subsequent annual report to the U.S. Congress said the fighting “showcased Chinese weaponry,” noting that Pakistan relies heavily on Chinese-supplied arms, which constituted more than 80 percent of its imports between 2019 and 2023.

Analysts say the Tejas program is a crucial part of India’s response to China’s expanding military partnership with Pakistan, particularly in the aviation sector. The aircraft has been positioned as a symbol of self-reliance and a foundation for India’s future domestic fighter development.

Investigation and Next Steps

The Indian Air Force said a formal investigation will examine the cause of the Dubai crash. It remains unclear whether the United Arab Emirates’ aviation authorities will conduct a parallel inquiry.

The Indian embassy in the UAE said it was in contact with local officials following the incident. General Electric, the engine supplier, said it was prepared to support any investigation.

The presence of diplomatic vehicles at the scene underscored the seriousness of the crash and the attention it has drawn from both governments. Airshow organizers said emergency teams continued to manage the site as the event proceeded with its remaining scheduled displays.

Accidents at Major Airshows

Accidents of this scale are rare at major international airshows, which operate under strict safety regulations. The Dubai Airshow, considered the third largest in the world after events in Paris and Farnborough, had not recorded a fatal crash before Friday. Historically, airshow accidents were more common in the 1970s, prompting a series of reforms and stricter protocols.

Notable past incidents include a Sukhoi Su-30 crash during a maneuver at the Paris Airshow in 1999 and a MiG-29 crash at the same event a decade earlier. All crew members survived both incidents. In 2019, Britain suspended aerobatic displays during public days at the Farnborough Airshow following a fatal crash of a vintage aircraft at a separate event in 2015.

The Dubai crash has renewed questions about safety during high-intensity aerobatic demonstrations and the risks associated with flying prototypes or new aircraft variants under demanding conditions before civilian audiences.