Dubai: An Indian-made Tejas fighter jet crashed in flames during a flying display at the Dubai Airshow on Friday, killing the pilot and marking the second known crash of the aircraft. The accident occurred shortly after 2 pm local time at Dubai World Central, where the final day of the biennial aviation event was underway.
The Indian Air Force confirmed the pilot’s death and announced that an inquiry has been launched to determine the cause of the crash. The force said it deeply regretted the loss and extended condolences to the pilot’s family.
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.
A court of inquiry is being…
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) November 21, 2025
Images released by Indian media showed the aircraft engulfed by towering flames and thick black smoke. A witness told Reuters that the jet appeared to be flying at low altitude before suddenly descending and bursting into a ball of fire. Sirens echoed across Al Maktoum International Airport as emergency teams rushed to the scene.
The Government of Dubai Media Office called the incident tragic and shared a photograph of firefighters hosing down scattered debris. Officials said response teams acted swiftly and continued to manage the situation while ensuring the airshow grounds remained secure. Flying displays resumed less than two hours later after the crash site was cleared.
A Tejas fighter aircraft from India participating in today’s flying display at the Dubai Airshow has crashed, resulting in the tragic death of the pilot. Firefighting and emergency teams responded rapidly to the incident and are currently managing the situation on-site. pic.twitter.com/LpdE87YjLM
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) November 21, 2025
The Tejas, developed by state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, is central to India’s drive to modernise its ageing air fleet. The loss in Dubai comes at a sensitive time for the Indian Air Force, which has been recovering from the aftermath of a fierce India-Pakistan confrontation earlier this year. That conflict involved fighter jets, cruise missiles, and competing claims of air victories, with a later assessment by a senior Indian commander acknowledging the loss of multiple Indian aircraft.
In March last year, a Tejas aircraft crashed in Rajasthan in the first such incident since the jet’s initial test flight in 2001. The pilot survived that accident. The latest crash in Dubai raises fresh questions about the future of India’s flagship indigenous fighter programme at a moment when it is being promoted to international buyers.
