A Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1 of the Indian Air Force crashed this afternoon while performing an aerial display at the Dubai Airshow 2025, marking a tragic end to the five-day event.
The single-seat fighter, operated by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and flown by an experienced IAF pilot, went down at approximately 14:10 local time (11:10 GMT) after executing a low-level roll. Eyewitness video circulating on Leon-line showed the aircraft descending rapidly before impacting the ground and erupting into flames about 1.6 km from the main spectator area at Al Maktoum International Airport. Thick black smoke rose from the crash site as emergency response teams rushed to the scene.
The Indian Air Force confirmed the pilot’s death in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“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.”
This is the second known crash of the Tejas since the type entered operational service. The first occurred during a training sortie in India in March 2024.
The incident comes just two months after India finalised a ₹48,000 crore ($7 billion) deal for 97 upgraded Tejas Mk1A variants to replace its ageing MiG-21 fleet. Delivery of the Mk1A has already been delayed by slow supply of General Electric F404-IN20 engines, with only four of the 99 units ordered in 2021 delivered so far.
Earlier this week, photographs and videos showing fluid dripping from the parked Tejas and collection bags placed underneath had gone viral, prompting online speculation of an oil leak. The Press Information Bureau (PIB) of India dismissed the claims, describing the process as “routine draining of condensation from the aircraft cooling system” and “standard pre-flight procedure.”
The Dubai Airshow 2025, held from 17–21 November, is the largest aviation and defence exhibition in the Middle East, featuring over 1,500 exhibitors and 200 aircraft.
Investigations into today’s crash are expected to be conducted jointly by Indian authorities and UAE aviation regulators.
Check out our latest video:
