Mirage 2000: Indian Air Force (IAF) Headquarters is seriously considering inducting the indigenous Astra Mk 1 Beyond Visual Range Air to Air Missile (BVRAAM) in the upgraded fleet of Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft. This decision can play an important role in bridging the capability gap of the Air Force till the arrival of foreign next generation missiles.

Currently, the Indian Air Force’s Mirage 2000 aircraft rely on MICA IR and MICA RF missiles, whose effective strike range is said to be around 80 kilometers. According to defense sources, this range is now considered less than the long-range missile systems available with regional rivals, which may impact air combat capability.

Work continues on MICA NG

According to the report of idrw.org, European defense company MBDA is working on the next generation MICA NG (New Generation) missile, whose estimated range will be 150 to 160 kilometers. This missile has been confirmed to be compatible with India’s upgraded Mirage 2000 5 aircraft. However, its delivery is expected by the end of 2028-29, while full operational clearance may take an additional 3 to 4 years due to the testing and integration process.

Upgraded Mirage 2000 equipped with RDY 2 radar

Thales RDY 2 all-weather synthetic aperture radar has been installed in the upgraded Mirage 2000 aircraft of the Indian Air Force. This radar is capable of tracking fighter targets with 5 square meter radar cross section from a distance of 120 to 140 kilometers. Earlier Mirage variants had Thomson CSF RDM radar, but the RDY 2 is now considered more capable for multi-mode and BVR warfare. If the Astra Mk 1 is approved for inclusion in the Mirage 2000, it will require technical collaboration with Thales. With this, an accurate data link can be established between the RDY 2 radar and the Astra missile, so that the fire and forget capability and guidance of the missile remains fully effective. Astra Mk 1 has already been successfully operationalized on Su 30MKI and Tejas fighter aircraft.

Strategic benefits will come soon from indigenous option

While MICA NG may have to wait until the early 2030s for full deployment, Astra Mk 1 appears to be a timely, cost-effective and indigenous interim solution. The deployment of Astra Mk 1 with the strong detection capability of the RDY 2 radar can quickly increase the striking range and lethality of the Mirage 2000 fleet.

Self-reliant India will get a big boost

The decision to include Astra Mk 1 in Mirage 2000 will strengthen the Self-reliant India initiative. This will not only lead to widespread use of indigenous missile systems, but will also reduce dependence on foreign upgrades. Additionally, it will help keep the Mirage 2000 aircraft relevant in future challenging air combat scenarios.

Tejas Fighter Jet: Indian fighter plane Tejas Mk-1A supersonic fighter jet fell victim to an accident during an airshow at Al-Maktoum International Airport in Dubai. Due to this, the pilot of the plane died due to serious injuries. After this incident of plane crash, the Armenian government has stopped its talks about purchasing Tejas fighter jet from India.

According to Israeli media Jerusalem Post, this decision was taken after the plane crash incident on November 21, 2025. However, at present no official statement has come from the Government of Armenia on this.

The deal was close to being finalized!

Let us tell you that Armenia was in talks with India and aircraft manufacturing company HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) to buy 12 Tejas aircraft for 1.2 billion dollars (10 thousand crores). This deal was last. Once finalized, this would have been the first export order for Tejas.

The journey of Tejas started in 1982, when the Government of India started the Light Combat Aircraft Project to replace the MiG-21 aircraft. Its official name was ‘Tejas’ in 1990. Since the first phase of production, the Indian Air Force has received only 40 Tejas.

What makes Tejas special?

Tejas stands out among India’s fighter fleet, which also includes Sukhoi Su-30MKI, Rafale, Mirage and MiG-29. It would not be wrong if it is called the backbone of the Indian Air Force. This agile fighter jet takes India’s defense capabilities to new heights. It is much lighter in weight than all other jets, which is only 6,500 kg. About 50 percent of its parts are made in India.

Symbol of ‘Made in India’, Tejas has many features such as electronic warfare system, glass cockpit, digital map generator, advanced radio altimeter, smart multi-function display etc., due to which it can attack the enemy with greater range and greater accuracy.

One of its specialties is that it can take off from a short runway of only 460 meters. The range of Tejas is approximately 3,000 kilometers and the speed limit is 2205 km/hour. Its width is 8.20 meters and height is 4.40 meters, which makes it extremely agile in the air.

Big order to HAL for Tejas

The Government of India has given a big order to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in September this year. Under this, HAL has to supply the order of 97 aircraft of MK-1A type. Under this deal worth Rs 623.70 billion ($7.03 billion), the company has to complete this order in 6 years from 2027-28. It is being told that the production of 97 units of A1 variant has started.

These changes have been made to make it similar to Western fighter jets because mostly Israeli systems have been used to make it. There are many foreign parts and systems installed in Tejas, in which Israel has a big role. For example, the AESA radar used in Tejas Mk1A was made by Israeli company Elta Systems and the company itself had also made an electronic warfare system. In such a situation, if this deal stops, it will also cause loss to Israel because it is expected to earn a good amount from the deal.

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HAL on Tejas Crash: After the accident of LCA-Tejas at the Dubai Air Show, there was a lot of speculation about its future, HAL’s production capacity and export prospects. However, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has made it clear that this incident is only an isolated incident and there will be no impact on the company’s business operations, financial performance or delivery schedule. The company has given this information by writing a letter to BSE and NSE.

Importance and deployment of Tejas

LCA-Tejas was developed by HAL in collaboration with DRDO and was inducted into the Indian Air Force in 2016. At present the Air Force is operating two squadrons of Tejas. One is deployed at Sulur airbase in Tamil Nadu and the other at a forward airbase near the Pakistan border. Tejas also played an important role in airspace patrolling during Operation Sindoor.

LCA-Tejas crashed during the air show in Dubai on 21 November. The plane was being flown by Air Force Wing Commander Namansh Syal, who died in this accident. The Indian Air Force has constituted a high-level committee to investigate the causes of the accident.

After the accident, concerns came to light regarding the advanced version of Tejas and its export, because HAL is currently producing LCA Tejas Mark-1A for the Air Force and is also preparing to export it to many friendly countries. HAL clarified that the accident will not affect production, supply or future plans and the company is fully cooperating in the investigation.

Tejas Mark-1A production and engine supply

Last month itself, the first flight of the Mark-1A version of Tejas was successfully conducted in Nashik in the presence of Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. In the year 2021, the Defense Ministry had signed a contract for 83 Tejas Mark-1A aircraft with HAL, but due to thaw in relations with the US and other formalities, the supply of GE F-404 engines was delayed by almost two years. Only 4 engines have been delivered so far.

In September 2024, the ministry signed an additional contract for 97 additional Tejas Mark-1As, which is expected to give the Air Force a total of 180 Tejas Mark-1As in the next decade. For these aircraft, HAL has signed a new deal for 113 additional F-404 engines with GE-Aerospace this month.

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Tejas Light Combat Aircraft, which is considered the pride of the country, met with an accident during the demonstration at the Dubai Airshow on Friday. The accident was so terrible that the aircraft turned into a ball of fire as soon as it hit the ground. Brave Air Force pilot Wing Commander Namansh Syal was martyred in this accident. Now before sending his mortal remains to India, the UAE Army has paid tribute in Dubai. Indian Air Force has shared this information through social media account X. A video paying tribute has also been released.

According to a statement issued by the Indian Air Force, “The Indian Air Force deeply regrets the tragic demise of Wing Commander Namansh Syal, who lost his life in the Tejas aircraft crash at the Dubai Air Show. A dedicated fighter pilot and a thorough professional, he served the nation with steadfast commitment, excellent skill and a strong sense of duty. His personality earned him great respect through a life dedicated to service. The IAF stands with his family in this hour of farewell to his colleagues, friends and officers. His legacy of courage and dignity will be remembered with gratitude.

The Indian Air Force deeply mourns the tragic loss of Wg Cdr Namansh Syal, who lost his life in the unfortunate Tejas aircraft accident at the Dubai Air Show.
A dedicated fighter pilot and thorough professional, he served the nation with unwavering commitment, exceptional skill… pic.twitter.com/1XytMiFWsG

— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) November 22, 2025

Syal was a resident of Himachal

This accident shocked the entire country. Namansh was a resident of Patialkar village of Nagrota Bagwan tehsil of Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. He was of very calm nature. He had dreamed of serving the country from the beginning. He did his schooling from Sainik School, Sujanpur Tira. This is the same school which has given many excellent Army and Air Force officers to the country.

Naman, who was an expert in studies and sports since childhood, had a dream of joining the Air Force. He joined the Air Force on 24 December 2009. Apart from Tejas, he had experience of flying many aircraft. He was included in the third squadron of Tejas. He was entrusted with the responsibility of displaying Tejas to the world in the Dubai Airshow.

Indian Air Force’s Tejas Mk 1 jet aircraft crashed during an air display at the Dubai Air Show 2025, killing its pilot. Built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), this aircraft flew without any major accidents in its first service period. However, this is the second accident in 24 years.

The first incident took place on March 12, 2024, near Jaisalmer in Rajasthan, when a Tejas aircraft crashed during a tri-services exercise and the pilot ejected safely. In both the incidents, the Indian Air Force ordered investigation. In this accident, which took place at the Dubai Air Show 2025, the plane performed a negative-G maneuver shortly before losing control.

The accident happened in Jaisalmer
Initial reports of the 2024 Jaisalmer accident blamed engine trouble (engine shutdown due to oil pump failure). This time the pilot died in an accident at the Dubai Air Show. Let us tell you that this accident happened during a performance in front of the audience.

Tejas designed for export abroad
Actually, Tejas is a single-engine delta-wing light combat aircraft, which has been designed to replace the old aircraft in India’s fighter fleet and to export it abroad. The program has boasted a strong safety record, with only two accidents in more than two decades of development and service (at least as publicly acknowledged). Its role in India’s broader effort to indigenize defense manufacturing draws further public scrutiny.

There will be a court of inquiry
The Indian Air Force has announced a court of inquiry to find out the reasons for the Dubai Air Show accident. Investigators will likely examine flight-data recorder information, maneuver parameters (particularly negative-G turns), engine performance logs, and human aspects of demonstrated flight conditions. Its results may also influence future demonstration-flight protocols, training of demonstration pilots and operational safety procedures for the Tejas fleet.

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The pilot of the LCA Tejas fighter plane that crashed at the Dubai Air Show tried to beat death at the last moment, but the plane hit the ground and his life could not be saved. This accident happened when the plane was performing a very dangerous stunt.

Accident during dangerous ‘negative G turn’
Aviation experts, after watching the video, said that the Tejas aircraft suddenly started falling downwards while doing a negative G turn. The pilot tried to straighten the plane again and gain altitude, but by then it was too late and the plane fell to the ground. Negative G is such a situation when the plane rotates strongly in the opposite direction and reverse pressure of gravity starts acting on the body.

The pilot tried to control till the end
In negative G, the blood inside the body rushes towards the head, due to which the pilot can also become unconscious. In such a situation, it is very difficult to keep the plane under control. It is being estimated from the video that the pilot kept trying to control and straighten the plane till the end, but he could not succeed.

Dubai Air Show spectators evacuated safely after Indian Air Force’s Tejas aircraft crash, emergency services present at the scene – TASS https://t.co/LhsS0KjlyL pic.twitter.com/k8KN35PlWq

— RT Hindi (@RT_hindi_) November 21, 2025

This Tejas was in service since 2016
The Tejas fighter jet that crashed belonged to the squadron deployed at Sulur airbase in Tamil Nadu and was in the service of the Indian Air Force since 2016. IAF also confirmed the accident and the death of the pilot by posting on X.

Tejas – IAF’s safest fighter jet
After the recent retirement of MiG-21, Tejas was being considered as the new reliable fighter of the Air Force. This is the second accident of Tejas in 24 years. The first accident occurred in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan in March 2024 – that is, 23 years after the first test flight in 2001.

Why is Tejas aircraft ‘unstable’ but extremely agile?
The design of Tejas has been deliberately kept unstable so that it can turn at lightning speed both in air shows and in combat. To keep it balanced, a very advanced fly-by-wire system (flight computer) has been installed in it – the same technology is also used in the American fighter plane F-16.

Now Uddhav Thackeray’s party has silenced Pakistani trolls in the case of Tejas fighter jet crash during Dubai Airshow. Shiv Sena UTB leader and Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi got angry over the comments of Pakistani trollers on Tejas crash. He has posted on X giving a befitting reply to the trollers.

Priyanka said, ‘Some Pakistani social media accounts are making fun of Tejas crash. Imagine a terrorist living in a terrorist country, who is actually living on the help of the World Bank and the IMF. Those who have only toys made in China to show, such people should be the last to talk about indigenous defense fighter jets. These people can only form suicide bomber squad.

Seeing some Pakistani 2 bit accounts mocking Tejas crash. Imagine living in a terrorist nation literally surviving on World Bank/IMF aid with only Made in China toy weapons to showcase should be the last ones to talk about indigenous defense fighter jets, as the only thing they…

— Priyanka Chaturvedi (@priyankac19) November 21, 2025

Let us tell you, on Friday, November 21, an Indian Tejas fighter plane crashed during a demonstration at the Dubai Air Show. The pilot died in this accident. The video of this accident is viral on social media. Where on the last day of the air show, the Tejas aircraft doing acrobatics in the sky suddenly collided with the ground. Then there was a huge explosion, after which only huge flames were seen rising.

The incident happened around 2:10 pm. Where thousands of spectators were performing tricks. While taking a turn in the air, the pilot suddenly lost control and the plane crashed into the ground. After this accident the show was stopped temporarily. This is the first time that pilots could not get out of the aircraft and lost their lives. This is the second incident related to Tejas aircraft. Earlier in the year 2024, Tejas had become a victim of an accident in Jaisalmer. Let us tell you, Tejas is a 4.5 generation multi-role combat aircraft. It has been prepared for missions like Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Air Defense Mission.

Tejas in Hindi: Today Tejas is in the news in the country for two completely different reasons. On one hand, people are searching for the spiritual meaning of the name ‘Tejas’ in Sanskrit and scriptures, and on the other hand, the world’s attention is on India’s Tejas Fighter Jet, which crashed at the Dubai Air Show. On one hand, a name which is a symbol of light and vigor in the scriptures, and on the other hand, the fighter aircraft which is a symbol of India’s technical capability and self-reliance. Today both are in the headlines, but for two completely different reasons.

Religious meaning of the name ‘Tejas’

The word ‘Tejas’ in Sanskrit is representative of light, energy, vigor and divinity. In the Vedas, this word is used for the power of Agni, Surya and Indra, that is, the light that removes troubles, instills courage and gives direction to life. Upanishads consider it to be the self-light within man. The power that makes a person bright, intelligent and courageous.

What is Tejas in Veda-Upanishad and Geeta?

Vedas say. Brightness is the origin of divinity. Upanishads call it the light of life, mind and soul. Krishna says in Geeta Tejah Kshama Dhritih Shoucham… Here Tejas is the divine quality. That vigor which makes a person characterful and courageous. From religious point of view, this name is considered spiritual, bright and extremely auspicious.

Traditional meaning of people with name Tejas

According to religious belief, people with this name are considered to have sharp intelligence, attractive personality, leadership ability, courage, and spiritual inclination. Among the planets, this name has the special blessings of Sun and Mars. On the other hand, the horrific accident of Indian Tejas Fighter Jet in Dubai Air Show. After which people have started searching for the meaning of this name.

According to the information, this is India’s indigenous fighter aircraft, which fell victim to an accident while performing a high-level aerobatic stunt during the Dubai Air Show 2025. This incident is even bigger because Tejas is the main symbol of India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat defense technology. This aircraft representing India on the international stage is in the news due to a major accident.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is based only on assumptions and information. It is important to mention here that ABPLive.com does not endorse or confirm any information. Before implementing any information or belief, consult the concerned expert.

This time, such a scene was seen in the Dubai Air Show, which no one present there had even imagined. India’s indigenous light combat aircraft LCA Tejas was showing its exciting demo flight when suddenly it lost control. Thousands of spectators were looking towards the sky, when Tejas took a sharp turn and within a few moments, it started losing its balance. Within no time the plane started falling downwards and collided directly with the ground.

The collision was so strong that a huge plume of black smoke rose over Al Maktoum International Airport. People got scared. There was chaos in the program and the security team immediately reached the spot. Immediately after the accident, air show security personnel and emergency teams reached the spot. Airport officials started investigation to find out the reason for the incident. This accident, which happened in Dubai in the presence of so many spectators, is raising many questions. In such a situation, let us know when Tejas has become a victim of accidents before Dubai.

specialty of tejas

Tejas is a light, single-seater fighter jet made in India. It also has a twin-seater trainer version, which is operated by both the Indian Air Force and Navy. Its technical demo (TD-1) was first flown in 2001. Later in 2016, its series production version (SP-2) was successfully flown. Tejas has been designed as a 4.5-generation fighter aircraft, which can perform well from air missions to ground operations. It is considered to be the lightest and smallest aircraft in its class, and the heavy use of composite materials in its structure makes it agile. The first Tejas squadron of the Indian Air Force was named Flying Daggers (No. 45).

How many Tejas victims of accidents before Dubai?

Before the recent accident at the Dubai Air Show, Tejas aircraft had a very short and safe accident history. Tejas flew for the first time in 2001 and after that, no case of any accident of this aircraft was reported for 23 years. That is, from 2001 to March 2024, Tejas flights were considered almost completely safe. The only case of accident before this was on March 12, 2024, when Tejas aircraft crashed during an operational training flight in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. The pilot survived that accident, but died in Dubai.

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An eyewitness has given an eyewitness account of the incident of LCA Tejas aircraft crash on Friday (November 21, 2025) at the Dubai Airshow. Tejas aircraft was flying in Dubai Airshow for four days and today was its last day. When this accident happened, a large number of people were present there to watch the airshow. Eyewitnesses said that the pilot tried to direct the aircraft towards the spectators and he turned the aircraft in the other direction to save the spectators.

Many Indian expatriates were also present in the airshow. Shajuddin Jabbar, an Indian spectator, told that as the aircraft was about to go down, the pilot turned it to the other side. He said that he was more saddened to know that the pilot was an Indian.

Shajuddin Jabbar said, ‘The show was going very well until this accident happened. This accident has shocked and saddened all of us. The way the aircraft turned the other way before falling down, I am sure the pilot was trying to save the spectators. It is very unfortunate that the pilot could not save himself. We are very sad that someone died like this in front of our eyes and even more sad when it was revealed that he was an Indian pilot.

Shajuddin Jabbar had come to watch the airshow with his wife Shiney and daughter Ashley. In the videos that have surfaced of Tejas aircraft, it can be seen that the aircraft is coming flying in the air from a distance, but suddenly it turns in the air and then comes down very fast and turns into a ball of fire.

When the aircraft turned and went rapidly downwards, in those few seconds it can be seen that its wings were parallel and the pilot was repeatedly trying to handle the situation, but the speed of the aircraft was so high and everything happened so quickly that the situation could not be controlled. However, for once it seemed that the pilot had the situation under control. When the plane came down, just before it crashed, it again tried to fly upwards, but its speed was too high and altitude was too low, due to which it crashed.