Dubai, UAE – A pilot from the Indian Air Force (IAF) was killed on November 21, 2025, when a Tejas fighter jet crashed during an aerial display at the Dubai Airshow. The incident occurred at approximately 2:10 PM local time at the Al Maktoum International Airport.
The aircraft, a domestically-built light combat aircraft (LCA) manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), was performing a maneuver when it nosedived and crashed near the runway. Spectators witnessed the jet rapidly losing altitude before impact, followed by a large plume of black smoke. Emergency services responded to the scene immediately, and the airshow was temporarily halted.
The IAF confirmed the pilot's death in a statement, expressing deep regret and standing in solidarity with the pilot's family. The identity of the pilot has not yet been officially released.
"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," the IAF stated.
A court of inquiry has been established to investigate the cause of the accident. The UAE Ministry of Defence has also confirmed the establishment of a court of inquiry. Authorities will be looking into all potential factors, including mechanical failure, pilot error, and external elements.
The Tejas is a single-engine, multirole light combat aircraft with an agile delta-wing design. It is intended to replace the IAF's aging MiG-21 and MiG-27 fleets and reduce reliance on foreign imports. The Tejas Mk 1A variant includes upgrades such as an AESA radar, electronic warfare suite, BVR missiles, and air-to-air refueling capabilities. The Indian Air Force has ordered 83 of these jets and plans to acquire 97 more with GE engines between 2027 and 2032.
This is the second crash involving a Tejas aircraft in less than two years. In March of last year, a Tejas fighter crashed in Rajasthan, India, marking the first accident in the aircraft's 23-year history since its maiden test flight in 2001; the pilot ejected safely in that incident.
