Dubai, 21 Nov 2025

A somber shadow fell over the final day of the prestigious Dubai Airshow this afternoon of Friday, following the tragic crash of an Indian Air Force Tejas fighter jet. The indigenous aircraft, which was performing a demonstration flight for a crowd of spectators, plunged to the ground, erupting into a fireball and claiming the life of its pilot.

The incident occurred around 2:10 PM local time at the vast Al Maktoum International Airport. Eyewitnesses described a scene of shock and horror as the single-engine jet, executing a maneuver, appeared to lose control and dive abruptly into the ground. The crash sent a pillar of thick, black smoke into the sky, temporarily halting the spectacle as emergency crews, including police, ambulances, and firefighting vehicles, rushed to the scene.

In an official statement, the Indian Air Force confirmed the pilot sustained fatal injuries. "IAF deeply regrets the loss of life and stands firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief," the statement read, adding that a formal court of inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause of the accident. Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan both expressed their profound anguish and extended condolences to the pilot’s family, honoring the service member's "brave and courageous" sacrifice.

The Tejas aircraft, a cornerstone of India's efforts to bolster its domestic defense capabilities, was a prominent feature at the airshow. This crash marks the second incident involving the Tejas platform in 20 months, though in a previous accident in 2023, the pilot ejected safely. Just days before this tragedy, Indian authorities had actively dismissed social media rumors about technical issues with the aircraft at the show, asserting the fighter's "proven technical reliability."

The airshow resumed its demonstrations about ninety minutes later.