Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has given clarification on the news of the crash of LCA Tejas fighter jet of the Indian Air Force (IAF). The company has issued a statement saying that the Tejas fighter jet did not crash, which is being discussed, it was a minor technical problem on the runway during landing.

HAL posted on social media platform X and said, ‘Recent media reports have revealed the crash of Tejas fighter jet. There is no report of LCA Tejas crashing. This incident was a minor technical fault on the ground.

HAL further said, ‘LCA Tejas has the best safety record among the world’s high-tech fighter jets. As per standard procedure, this technical issue is being investigated in more detail. HAL and Indian Air Force (IAF) are working together on this problem, so that it can be resolved as soon as possible.

LCA Tejas maintains one of the world’s best safety records among contemporary fighter aircraft. As a standard operating procedure, the issue is being analyzed in depth and HAL is working closely with the Indian Air Force (IAF) for a speedy resolution.

— HAL (@HALHQBLR) February 23, 2026

There was a rumor about Tejas crash

Let us tell you that there were rumors of Indian Air Force (IAF) LCA Tejas fighter jet crashing during landing after a trainee flight. It was claimed that this accident happened on February 7 at a forward airbase on the Pakistan border, in which the pilot ejected himself and came out safely. HAL has now issued an official statement in this regard and termed the incident as a ‘rumour’.

Two jets were victims of accidents in the last two years

In March 2024, Tejas aircraft crashed in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, although the pilot ejected himself. Apart from this, in the year 2025 also, the incident of crash of Tejas fighter jet came to light during the Dubai Air Show. The pilot also lost his life in this accident. The investigation of this accident is still going on. At the same time, the Indian Air Force has ordered 180 MK1A fighter planes, but the delivery is delayed by two years.

How many Tejas are in service in India?

According to Defense Secretary RK Singh, 38 Tejas jets are in service in the Indian Air Force fleet. Around 80 are being manufactured, out of which 10 Tejas jets are ready for delivery. Apart from this, IAF has also ordered 97 fighter jets of LCA Tejas Mk-2 to HAL, which will be multi-role fighter aircraft. With its induction, the shortage of MiG 21 of the Indian Air Force will be fulfilled.

Indian Air Force: The Indian government has approved the purchase of 114 more Rafale fighter jets from France. With this step, the squadron strength of the Indian Air Force is expected to increase significantly in the coming years. In the meantime, let us know how many fighter jets are there in a squadron of the Indian Air Force and how many does India have at present.

How many fighter jets are there in a squadron?

A standard fighter squadron of the Indian Air Force usually consists of 18 fighter aircraft. Of these 18 aircraft, about 16 are operational fighter jets, while two are trainer aircraft. These are used for pilot conversion and operational training. Apart from this, some aircraft are kept in reserve to manage maintenance cycles and emergencies. Each squadron is usually commanded by an officer of the rank of Wing Commander. It oversees operational preparation, training and deployment.

How many fighter squadrons does India have now?

By February 2026, the Indian Air Force is operating approximately 29 active fighter squadrons. This is much less than its sanctioned strength of 42.5 squadrons. This is considered necessary to deal with the two front situation. The decline in squadron numbers over the past few years has been mainly due to the retirement of older aircraft such as the MiG variants. Along with this, new aircraft have been gradually included.

Total fighter aircraft in service

Based on the current 29-30 squadrons, India has approximately 520 to 540 operational fighter aircraft. This number keeps going up and down depending on retirements, upgrades and new inductions. Although the fleet is still strong, the gap between sanctioned and actual numbers remains a strategic concern.

114 What will change with Rafale jet?

With the approval to purchase 114 more Rafale jets, the number of squadrons is expected to improve significantly in the next 10 years. Once inducted, these aircraft will greatly help India get closer to its projected strength and modernize its fighter fleet. With growing regional security challenges, expanding squadron capability is not just about numbers. It is about maintaining air power and also about the strength of the Indian Air Force.

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When India recently announced the purchase of 114 new Rafale fighter jets, there was a wave of happiness everywhere. Why not, this is the same deadly fighter plane which defeated Pakistan in Operation Sindoor. But it is also true that India’s biggest neighboring enemy is China, which is far ahead of India in terms of fighter jets. Even after the arrival of 114 Rafale, India will not be able to catch up with China. But why and how? Let us know…

Question 1: What is India’s 114 Rafale deal, and what is its status?
answer: India’s 114 Rafale deal is part of the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) programme, which is meant to provide air superiority to the Indian Air Force. On 12 February 2026, the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) approved the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for this deal. This deal is with France’s Dassault Aviation Company and 114 Rafale jets are to be purchased. 90 jets will be made in India, which will have 50% indigenous content. The total price of 114 Rafale jets is around Rs 3.25 lakh crore.

India has already inducted 36 Rafales from the 2016 deal and a deal for 26 marine variants was signed last year. With the addition of 114 new Rafales, India’s strength will increase manifold. This means that India will be able to compete with its most powerful neighboring enemy, China. But wait… first let us know what is the status of the existing fighter jets with India and China.

Question 2: How many 4th generation and above fighter jets does India have?
answer: According to the report of Global Firepower, by February 2026, India has 480 to 485 fourth generation and above fighter jets, which are considered the backbone of the Indian Air Force…

• Sukhoi SU-30MKI: It is a 4.5 generation heavy-duty twin-engine fighter jointly developed by Russia and India, which is the biggest strength of the Indian Air Force. India has 263 Sukhoi. Its supermaneuverability, canard delta wing design and advanced avionics systems make it unmatched in air-to-air and air-to-ground attacks, where it can carry long-range missiles like BrahMos. Under the upgrade plan, 84 jets are being made more advanced, which can magically change the game in air combat with its thrust vectoring technology.
• Dassault Rafale: This 4.5 generation twin-engine delta wing multi-role fighter from France is considered the pride of the Indian Air Force. India has 36 Rafale jets, which include 28 single-seat EH and 8 double-seat DH. Rafale has proved its strength in missions like Operation Sindoor. Equipped with advanced AESA radar, electronic warfare systems and Meteor and Scalp missiles, this jet also has high maneuverability and stealth-like features, which is adept in carrying out precise attacks while avoiding enemy radar. In the coming time, this fleet will be further strengthened with the purchase of 114 more Rafales, giving India new heights in long-range strike capability.
• HAL Tejas: India’s fourth generation indigenous lightweight single-engine delta wing fighter, of which 30 MK-1 variants are active, is a symbol of the flight of self-reliant India. Equipped with fly-by-wire controls, advanced AESA radar upgrades and internal weapons bay, this jet is the king in multi-role missions, including air-to-air refueling and precision strikes. 141 MK1A variants are on order, which will give new impetus to India’s air defense with its low radar cross-section and high-speed performance.
• Dassault Mirage 2000: France’s fourth-generation single-engine delta wing multi-role fighter, of which 36 H/I variants are active in India, excels in high-speed interception. The upgraded 2000I standard with improved avionics and weapons compatibility enables it to perform air-to-ground strikes and reconnaissance missions. It can carry laser-guided bombs. This jet, which became famous for its role in the Kargil war, still keeps India’s air superiority strong.
• Mikoyan MiG-29: It is a fourth generation twin-engine supermaneuverable fighter of the Soviet Union, of which 59 jets are active in the Indian Air Force. It plays a big role in air defense. The UPG variant has an upgraded radar, glass cockpit, and increased engine thrust making it specialized in ground attack and interception, where it uses BVR missiles. This jet, deployed on the borders of India, keeps an eye on the movements of the enemy and gives quick response in the war.

Question 3: How many 4th generation and above fighter jets does China have?
answer: According to the Global Firepower report, by February 2026, China is expected to have about 1,600 to 1,800 4th generation and above fighter jets, making the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) the world’s fastest growing and modern air force…

• Chengdu J-20: It is China’s main 5th generation stealth fighter, with more than 300 jets active in February 2026 and this number is increasing rapidly. The twin-engine, heavy-weight air superiority fighter features a stealth design, AESA radar, supercruise (with WS-15 engines) and long-range PL-15/PL-21 missiles. With this, it can destroy the target from a distance of 100 km while avoiding enemy radar. The new variants include maritime strike and twin-seat J-20S, which give the PLAAF a strong deterrence in the Indo-Pacific.
• Shenyang J-16: 4.5 generation multi-role strike fighter, with approximately 450 jets active and projected to reach 900 by 2030. Developed on the basis of SU-30, this twin-seat jet is equipped with AESA radar, electronic warfare systems and large weapons payload (anti-ship, ground attack), making it adept in high-speed and long-range operations. It is the main multi-role force of the PLAAF, adept at both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.
• Chengdu J-10: It is a 4th/4.5 generation lightweight multi-role fighter, of which more than 600 jets are in service. This single-engine, delta-canard designed jet is equipped with high manoeuvrability, AESA radar and BVR missiles like PL-15. These features make it expert in air defense and ground attack. The J-10C variant is the most advanced and accounts for the largest share in the PLAAF’s numbers.

• Shenyang J-11: It is a 4th generation air superiority fighter jet, whose number is around 400. The twin-engine, heavy fighter includes advanced avionics, thrust vectoring and long-range missiles, making it strong in long-range interception. Although the older variants are gradually being retired, the upgraded J-11B still holds a major responsibility.
• Sukhoi Su-30MKK/MK2 and Su-35S: There are above fourth generation multi-role fighter jets of Russian origin, the total number of which is more than 150. These are equipped with high manoeuvrability, long-range radar and multi-role capability, but China is now gradually replacing them with the domestic J-16. These are still used in training and special missions.

Question 4: So will India remain behind China even after the arrival of 114 Rafale and why?
answer: After the arrival of 114 Rafale, India will have a total of 176 Rafale jets and the total fleet of fighter jets will reach above 600. But the main reason for lagging behind China is China’s numerical superiority, where it already has more than 1,800 fighter jets.

China is making more than 200 new fourth and fifth generation jets every year. China has more than 300 5th generation jets like J-20, which are ahead of any Indian jet in stealth and long-range strikes, whereas India does not yet have any 5th generation jet.

According to the report of the International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS), Rafale is 4.5 generation, which is better than J-10 or J-11, but it will be difficult to compete with the stealth and sensor fusion of J-20. Also, the squadron strength of the Indian Air Force is currently 30, while the sanctioned strength is 42 and due to the two-front challenge of China-Pakistan, India needs more jets.

Question 5: Will this situation of India ever change? What will happen next?
answer: HAL Chairman Dr. D.K. According to Sunil’s report of June 25, 2025, 6 Tejas will be delivered by March 2026. With this, India’s squadron strength will reach 42 and 450 jets can be deployed on the China-Pakistan border. But China is working on 6th generation jets, which will have AI and hypersonic speed. India’s deterrence capability will increase in the coming years, as shown by Rafale in Operation Vermillion (2025), but if China’s production speed continues, India will have to import more or accelerate indigenous programs, otherwise the gap in air superiority will remain.

After Operation Sindoor, once again at the end of this month, the eyes of China and Pakistan will be on Pokhran firing range in Rajasthan. Here, 77 fighter jets and 43 helicopters of the Indian Air Force are going to show their fire-power demo to the whole world with about 12 thousand kg of ammunition. The Indian Air Force is going to conduct the biggest air military exercise in Jaisalmer on 26 February, named Vayu Shakti 2026.

IAF will show its strength with 77 fighter jets

This year, a total of 77 fighter aircraft including Rafale, Sukhoi and LCA Tejas will participate in the Vayushakti exercise held once in two years. Along with this, 43 helicopters, 08 transport aircraft and a large number of drones will participate. About 12 thousand kg of gunpowder will be used in the biggest fire-power demo of the Air Force.

In the Curtain Raiser press conference of Exercise Vayushakti on Wednesday (11 February 2026), Indian Air Force Vice Chief (Co-Chief) Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor said that during this period, the attacks carried out in Operation Sindoor (7-10 May) will also be simulated in the Pokhran range. Along with this, the countrymen will be made aware of the power of the Air Force. One of the objectives of the exercise is to attract the youth of the country towards the Air Force.

Air Marshal warned Pakistan

According to Air Marshal Kapoor, it has become clear from Operation Sindoor that terrorism will not be tolerated at any cost. The Vice Chief clearly said that if any terrorist attack happens on our soil, then (Pakistan) will have to pay the price.

On media’s question, Air Marshal said that this exercise is also a message for China and Pakistan. Because during Operation Sindoor, the alliance of China and Pakistan against India was seen. Apart from China’s fighter jets and air-to-air missiles, satellite also shared information about the movement of the Indian Air Force with Pakistan.

India caused havoc in Pakistan in Operation Sindoor

To avenge the Pahalgam massacre (22 April 2025), the Indian Air Force entered Pakistan and destroyed the headquarters of terrorist organizations Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba, and destroyed 11 airbases and 02 radar stations of Pakistan with heavy bombing. After Operation Sindoor, the Indian Air Force has organized several major exercises. But such a big fire power demo is being done for the first time.

India has lost 2 indigenous Tejas MK1 fighter jets in accidents. According to media reports, the Air Force may soon add two new similar jets to the fleet of Tejas MK1 fighter aircraft or replace it with the advanced fighter jet Tejas MK1A.

Tejas MK1A
Tejas MK1A is much more advanced than Tejas MK1. Tejas MK1A is equipped with high-tech AESA radar. It also has electronic warfare suits and indigenous weapons. It will have onboard oxygen generation system and the ability to fill fuel in the air itself during flight. According to media reports, only Tejas MK1 is being upgraded until Tejas MK1A enters the Air Force fleet. Electronic warfare, software defined radio and SATCOM are being installed in it.

How powerful is this jet
Software-defined radio in this fighter jet is a flexible communications system that uses software to process, modulate and decode radio signals instead of traditional fixed-function hardware. It enables secure, high-speed and interoperable voice/data communications over multiple frequencies and waveforms in real time.

SATCOM, or Satellite Communications, refers to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and Earth-orbiting satellites to simplify, amplify, and relay radio signals for voice, data, and video transmission between distant locations. It serves as an essential backbone for global telecommunications, providing connectivity in remote areas, aviation, maritime and disaster relief situations.

Let us tell you that there are 16 Tejas MK1 FOC aircraft in the Second Squadron of the Indian Air Force. These jets are equipped with old ELM-2032 radar and avionics. However, in matters of air defence, they fulfill operational requirements and training missions.

How high tech is Tejas MK1A compared to MK1?
Tejas MK1 is not as high-tech as Tejas MK1A. Tejas MK1A has advanced electronic warfare (EW) system, pod based jamming capability and improved avionics architecture. The Air Force has purchased 73 Tejas MK1A single-seater and 10 two-seater fighters. Recently, the Air Force has signed an agreement to purchase 97 more single-seater Tejas MK1A and its entire consignment is likely to be received by the end of 2032.

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India celebrated its 77th Republic Day on 26 January 2026 in a very grand and emotional manner on the duty path in Delhi. This parade lasted for about 90 minutes and there was something special in every moment. It showed a beautiful glimpse of the country’s military strength, cultural diversity and progress.

‘Vande Mataram’ the focus of the parade

The main focus of the parade this year was the celebration of 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’. Which had two big mantras:

• Mantra of Freedom: Vande Mataram- The spirit of the country’s freedom struggle and the Constitution was shown.
• Prosperity Mantra: Self-reliant India- a story of indigenous weapons, technology and progress.

In the parade which started at 10:30 am, the first 100 artists performed culturally on ‘Unity in Diversity’. 4 Mi-17 helicopters passed over the national flag and showered flowers. Seeing this everyone’s heart became happy.

President Draupadi Murmu took the salute of the parade

President Draupadi reached the duty path in Murmu Buggy along with chief guests European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. This was the first time that two chief guests were present on Republic Day. PM Modi welcomed him, paid tribute to the martyrs at the National War Memorial and spoke to the audience.

Operation Sindoor was the heart of the parade

In May 2025, the Indian Army carried out Operation Sindoor against Pakistan. In this, India had carried out a joint attack against Pakistan supported terrorists, which was shown in the table of Tri-Services (Army, Navy, Air Force). In this parade, weapons used in Operation Sindoor i.e. BrahMos supersonic missile, Akash air defense system, MRSAM, Apache AH-64E helicopter, Prachanda LCH, Dhanush cannon, ATAGS, S-400 air defense system and for the first time hyper-sonic glide missile were shown. Many animals including drone power, glacier ATV, bulletproof dogs, raptors (eagles) and Bactrian camels were involved.

Air Force created special ‘Sindoor Formation’

A total of 7 fighter jets including 2 Rafale, 2 Sukhoi-30, 2 MiG-29 and 1 Jaguar were seen. This formation was not just aerial, but emotional and traditional. This was to give the message of ‘Operation Sindoor’. In this, Dhruv helicopters in ‘Prahar Formation’ hoisted the flag of ‘Operation Sindoor’. A total of 29 aircraft did the flypast, which included Rafale, Jaguar, MiG-29, Sukhoi, C-295 transport and helicopters.

What happened for the first time in the 77th Republic Day Parade?

This time a total of 6,065 participants took part in the parade. 2,500 artists and 10,000 special invitees were present.

• 18 marching contingents demonstrated. This includes Rajput Regiment, Assam Regiment, Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry, Artillery Regiment and Sikh Light Infantry etc.
• For the first time, 9 women Agniveer joined the Agneepath band. A band of total 72 members played the tune ‘Sound Barrier’.
• For the first time, 13 military bands and the EU military contingent participated.
• Army showed live war display for the first time.
• 2 Humped Bactrian Camels, Advanced Surveillance Dog Unit and Raptors participated in the parade for the first time.

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.