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An Indian Air Force (IAF) Tejas light combat aircraft crashed during an aerobatic performance at the Dubai Air Show 2025 on Friday, killing the pilot in front of thousands of onlookers at Al Maktoum International Airport. The jet went down at around 2:10pm local time on the final day of the exhibition.
This marks only the second known accident involving India’s homegrown fighter jet since its first test flight in 2001.
The single-engine Tejas, produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, was performing a low-altitude negative-G turn when it abruptly lost control. Multiple recordings showed the jet dropping steeply after attempting to pull out of a loop, before slamming into the ground and bursting into flames. Thick smoke covered the airfield as emergency crews rushed in, while shocked spectators watched the crash unfold.
The IAF confirmed the pilot’s death, saying: “An IAF Tejas aircraft met with an accident during an aerial display at Dubai Air Show, today. The pilot sustained fatal injuries… IAF deeply regrets the loss of life.” Footage showed no signs of an ejection attempt, indicating the pilot remained inside the cockpit. A court of inquiry has been initiated.
Circumstances of the Crash
The aircraft involved was a Tejas Mk1 variant fitted with a GE F404-IN20 turbofan engine capable of producing 85 kN of thrust on afterburner. Reports indicate the jet was from a squadron based at Sulur Air Force Station in Tamil Nadu, operational since 2016. The IAF has two Tejas Mk1 squadrons—the Flying Daggers and Flying Bullets—though authorities have not officially identified the unit involved.
Analysts reviewing the footage noted that the jet was performing a negative-G manoeuvre—one that imposes upward forces opposite gravity—just before the crash. The aircraft appeared to lose altitude quickly after a loop attempted at too low a height. Sources said the pilot was unable to regain control as the aircraft descended almost vertically.
Such negative-G manoeuvres are typically executed at higher altitudes to allow recovery time. Preliminary assessments suggest the combination of low height, high G-forces and rapid flight dynamics left the pilot with too little space or time to recover. Investigators will study flight data, engine performance, and human factors to determine whether the crash resulted from technical failure, pilot error, or environmental conditions.
Dubai’s Government Media Office confirmed that emergency teams responded quickly and contained the situation within about 45 minutes. Flying displays resumed within 90 minutes even as responders continued operations on the ground.
India’s defence minister, Rajnath Singh, expressed grief over the pilot’s death, as did the Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan, and other military officials. The IAF has withheld the pilot’s identity for now.
Tejas: Background and Safety Record
The Tejas Mk1 is India’s first indigenous fighter jet, developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency and built by HAL. It is a 4.5-generation, single-seat, delta-wing aircraft with a maximum take-off weight of 13,500 kg and a top speed of Mach 1.6–1.8. Although it uses a U.S.-made engine, it symbolizes India’s drive for defence self-reliance and is intended to replace ageing MiG-21 fighters.
Friday’s tragedy is only the second Tejas crash in nearly 24 years. The first occurred on March 12, 2024, during Exercise Bharat Shakti near Jaisalmer. In that incident, the pilot ejected safely before the aircraft crashed near a hostel complex. An inquiry into the 2024 incident concluded that an engine seizure caused by an oil pump malfunction was the most probable reason.
Following that crash, all Tejas Mk1 jets underwent detailed inspections. No widespread technical issues were found, and the fleet was cleared to return to service.
The contrasting causes of the two crashes—an engine malfunction in 2024 and a likely manoeuvre-related loss of control in 2025—highlight diverse risks associated with modern fighter operations. The Rajasthan crash happened during standard training, while the Dubai accident occurred during an intense, low-altitude air-show performance, leaving virtually no room for recovery.
Implications for the Tejas Programme
The Dubai crash comes at a delicate moment for India’s defence sector. Just a day earlier, the Press Information Bureau had dismissed viral social media clips claiming oil leakage from a Tejas aircraft at the air show, describing them as “fake” attempts to undermine the jet’s credibility. The timing of the fatal crash has sharply amplified scrutiny.
India recently signed a multibillion-dollar agreement for 97 upgraded Tejas Mk1A aircraft, equipped with improved avionics, AESA radar and advanced electronic warfare systems. Deliveries are expected between 2027 and 2028. Currently, the IAF operates around 35–40 Tejas Mk1 jets but plans major expansion as older MiG-21 and MiG-27 fleets are phased out.
The crash is a setback for India’s efforts to promote Tejas on the international stage and position it as an export-ready fighter. Air shows like Dubai are key opportunities to attract foreign buyers, and the highly visible nature of the accident—captured globally and witnessed by international delegations—could hinder those ambitions.
Experts say the back-to-back accidents raise questions about safety protocols during display flights, training practices for aerobatic environments and the operational boundaries of the Tejas platform during aggressive manoeuvres. The findings of the ongoing inquiry will likely influence future demonstration procedures and could shape safety guidelines for the growing Tejas fleet.
As investigators analyze the cause of Friday’s crash, the results will be critical not only for flight safety but also for the reputation and long-term future of India’s flagship indigenous fighter programme. The death of a highly trained pilot underscores the human cost behind the technical and strategic challenges now confronting the programme.
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