The Tejas fighter jet of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed during an air display at the Dubai Airshow on Friday (21 November 2025), killing the pilot. IAF has constituted a court of inquiry to find out the causes of the accident. Pakistani media wrote about this accident that India’s Tejas fighter jet suddenly came down and after hitting the ground turned into a ball of fire.

Pakistani media raised questions on design of Tejas

Pakistani newspaper Dawn has raised questions on the design of Tejas. Dawn wrote, “India’s indigenous fighter jet was inducted into the Indian Air Force in 2016. This fighter jet is under question due to design and other reasons. The Tejas MK-1A fighter aircraft is important to strengthen the declining squadrons of the Indian Air Force. Apart from this, in view of the support India’s arch rival Pakistan is getting from China, India is replacing its old aircraft.”

A part of the airspace was closed

The incident occurred when Tejas was flying for scheduled aerobatic practice. The reasons for the accident have not been confirmed yet. The investigation team will conduct a detailed study of every technical, operational and safety aspect of the flight so that the real reasons can be confirmed. After the accident, a part of the airspace was temporarily closed to control the situation.

Tejas is a light multi-role combat fighter aircraft

Tejas is India’s indigenously developed light multi-role combat fighter aircraft. It has been designed and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Its presence in the Dubai Air Show-2025 was considered an important opportunity to showcase India’s aerospace capabilities on the global stage. The detailed cause of the accident will become clear only after technical investigation. Expert team will study the technical data.

Also read: Major accident in Dubai Airshow, India’s Tejas fighter jet crashes, pilot dies, video surfaced

The investigation team will conduct a detailed study of every technical, operational and safety aspect of the flight so that the real reasons can be confirmed. Immediately after the plane crash, the emergency management team of the air show and local administrative units reached the spot and took charge of the situation.

An Indian Tejas fighter plane crashed on Friday (21 November 2025) during a demonstration at the Dubai Air Show. The pilot in question died. It is seen in the video that while performing acrobatics in the sky, the Tejas aircraft suddenly collided with the ground and then there was a massive explosion, after which only huge flames were seen rising. Emergency teams have reached the spot.

The incident occurred at 2:10 pm local time, when thousands of spectators were watching the aircraft’s acrobatics. While taking a turn in the air, the pilot suddenly lost control of the indigenous fighter aircraft LCA Tejas and the aircraft rapidly crashed into the ground. After this accident, the Dubai Air Show has been temporarily stopped. Indian Air Force has confirmed the crash of Tejas aircraft in Dubai. IAF said, “A Tejas aircraft of the Indian Air Force has crashed at the Dubai Air Show 2025. Further information is currently being ascertained.”

#BREAKING Major accident at Dubai Air Show, Indian fighter jet Tejas crashes@romanaisarkhan , https://t.co/smwhXUROiK#DubaiAirShow #Tejas #FighterJetCrash #ABPNews pic.twitter.com/OoAKLE1xGZ

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Tejas is a 4.5-generation multi-role combat aircraft built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to perform air-defense missions, offensive air support and close-combat operations. It is considered to be one of the lightest and smallest fighter planes of its class. It is also designed for land and maritime operations, making it one of India’s most suitable indigenous platforms.

This is the second accident involving Tejas aircraft, the first accident took place near Jaisalmer in 2024. The Dubai Air Show is held every two years and is considered one of the largest aerospace events in the world. More than 1,500 exhibitors and more than 1,48,000 industry experts from 150 countries participate in it.

(This story is being updated…)