Indian pilot dies as HAL Tejas fighter jet crashes at Dubai air show

Indian pilot dies as HAL Tejas fighter jet crashes at Dubai air show

An Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot has died after an HAL Tejas fighter jet crashed during a demonstration flight at the Dubai Air Show, the IAF confirmed on Friday.

The HAL Tejas, India’s indigenous lightweight combat aircraft, went down at about 2:10 p.m. local time after performing multiple aerial passes. Witnesses said the jet appeared to lose control before diving sharply into the ground, crashing within the airfield at Al Maktoum International Airport.

In a statement, the IAF announced: “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 has been launched to determine the cause of the crash.

Thick black smoke billowed over the Dubai World Central area as emergency sirens echoed across the tarmac. The Dubai Media Office confirmed that firefighting and emergency teams responded swiftly and were managing the situation on-site.

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Images from the scene showed police, rescue teams and an SUV bearing diplomatic plates and the Indian flag at the crash location, with firefighting foam sprayed across nearby roads. Despite the tragedy, flight displays resumed about 30 minutes later, with the Russian Knights aerobatic team performing overhead.

The Tejas fighter jet, built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), has been central to India’s efforts to modernise its air fleet amid rising regional tensions involving China and Pakistan. In September 2025, India’s Defence Ministry sealed a major contract for 97 Tejas jets, with deliveries expected from 2027. An earlier 2021 order for 83 aircraft has experienced delays due to shortages of U.S.-supplied engines.

The crash followed a denial by India’s Press Information Bureau on Thursday regarding viral claims that a Tejas aircraft had suffered an oil leak at the event—dismissed as “false” and “baseless propaganda.”

Friday’s incident is the latest in a series involving the aircraft. In 2024, a Tejas jet crashed in Rajasthan, though the pilot survived after ejecting safely.

The Dubai Air Show, which concluded Friday, had drawn global attention with major aircraft orders announced by Emirates and FlyDubai.

Indian pilot dies as HAL Tejas fighter jet crashes at Dubai air show