DUBAI (THE THURSDAY TIMES) – An Indian Air Force Tejas light combat aircraft crashed during an aerial display at the Dubai Airshow on Friday, turning a tightly choreographed demonstration into a scene of smoke, fire and confusion on the edge of the desert runway.
The Indian Tejas fighter jet crashed and destroyed during an aerial display at the Dubai Airshow pic.twitter.com/UKqBm0FGLy
— The Thursday Times (@thursday_times) November 21, 2025
The single engine jet was performing a solo routine when it suddenly lost height and struck the ground near Al Maktoum International Airport, where one of the world’s largest aviation trade shows is under way. Spectators watched as a plume of black smoke rose over the tarmac and emergency vehicles raced toward the impact site.
Airshow organisers halted the flying programme while fire crews and medics moved in, and security staff ushered onlookers back toward the exhibition halls. Initial footage shared online showed the Tejas banking at low altitude before disappearing behind a haze of smoke, though the exact sequence of events will now be the focus of a joint inquiry.
The Indian Air Force confirmed that one of its aircraft had been involved in an accident during the display and said a court of inquiry would determine the cause. Officials gave no immediate details on the condition of the pilot or whether anyone on the ground was injured, urging caution until formal statements are issued.
For India, the crash is an unwelcome blow to a programme that has been showcased abroad as proof of the country’s growing defence manufacturing capability. Designed and built by state owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, the Tejas is intended to replace ageing MiG-21 fighters and has been central to New Delhi’s pitch to potential export customers.
The aircraft has been a regular presence at international airshows, including previous editions in Dubai, where it has flown complex aerobatic routines for visiting delegations from the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Friday’s accident is likely to intensify scrutiny of the jet’s safety record and any lingering technical issues, even as Indian officials insist that Tejas has logged thousands of flight hours in squadron service.
Dubai’s airshow, which attracts military and civil buyers from around the world, is a prized stage for governments seeking deals and prestige. The spectacle of an advanced combat aircraft crashing during a live demonstration is therefore more than a public relations setback, it raises fresh questions about risk, certification and the pressures of selling high performance hardware in an intensely competitive market.
