IAF’s Tejas jet crashes during demo flight at Dubai Air Show; pilot killed
S&T – DEFENCE
22 NOVEMBER 2025
- An Indian Air Force (IAF) Tejas fighter jet crashed during the Dubai Air Show, claiming the life of the pilot, Wing Commander Namansh Syal.
- The accident occurred around 2 p.m. local time at the Al Makhtoum International Airport, the venue of the air show.
- Viral visuals on social media show the jet spiralling out of control just above the ground, igniting on impact, and sliding for a short distance before being engulfed in flames.
- A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause of the crash.
- Dubai Air Show is the largest such event in the region, showcasing aerial and static displays of various commercial and military aircraft, UAVs, drones, and helicopters.
- The IAF contingent comprised three Tejas fighter jets and crew members.
- Tejas is an indigenous single-engine 4.5 generation multi-role fighter jet
- Nearly 100 air force teams from various countries took part.
TEJAS LCA
1983: Government approves Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme to replace MiG-21 fighters.
1984: Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) is established to manage the LCA project.
1990: HAL begins designing the LCA airframe.
1993–1995: Development of Kaveri engine, digital fly-by-wire, composites, avionics.
1998: LCA is officially named “TEJAS” by PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
2001: First flight of Tejas Technology Demonstrator (TD-1).
2011: Initial Operational Clearance (IOC-1) awarded
2013: Night flying capability & beyond-visual range (BVR) tests.
2014: Tejas achieves in-flight refuelling probe integration.
2015: Final Operational Clearance (FOC); aircraft production begins (Tejas Mk1).
2016: Tejas inducted into IAF; No. 45 Squadron “Flying Daggers” raised.
2018: IAF orders 83 Tejas Mk1A (later contract signed in 2021).
2019: Tejas participates in Vayu Shakti exercise (first major showcase).
2020: Successful firing of Python-5 and Derby air-to-air missiles.
2021: Government approves ₹48,000 crore contract for 83 Tejas Mk1A (73 fighter + 10 trainer).
2022: First successful mid-air refuelling of Tejas Mk1A test aircraft.
2024: New UTTAM Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar integration progresses.
2024: Tejas crashed near Jaisalmer
2025: Tejas fighter jet crashed during the Dubai Air Show
