An aircraft from India’s HAL Tejas programme crashed during a flying demonstration at the Dubai Air Show on 21 November 2025. The crash took place at approximately 2.10 pm local time near Al Maktoum International Airport and resulted in the death of the pilot.
According to statements from the Indian Air Force (IAF), the jet sustained “fatal injuries,” and a court of inquiry has been constituted to determine the cause of the incident.
Eyewitness footage showed the aircraft in a steep descent, followed by a fireball and thick black smoke near the display area. Rescue and firefighting crews responded promptly on site.
The Tejas is India’s indigenous light combat aircraft developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and serves as a key element in the country’s air force modernisation programme.
The crash adds to a recent series of IAF military aircraft incidents, raising questions about operational risk amid high-visibility international displays.
