Tejas โฃFighter jet Crashesโค at Dubai Airshow, Pilot Dies
A HAL Tejas fighter jet crashed atโ dubai World Central on Friday at approximately 2:00 โPM local time (10:00 GMT) during a presentation at theโข Dubai Airshow. The pilot sustained fatal injuries, marking the second known crash of the aircraft.
The Indianโฃ Air โForce (IAF) โconfirmed theโฃ pilot’s death via social media,โฃ stating they had launchedโฃ an inquiry to determine the cause of the crash. โฃ”IAF deeply regrets theโ loss โof life and stands firmly withโค the โขbereaved familyโ in this time of grief,” the statement read.
Witnesses reported the jet โฃwasโข flying at a low altitude before rapidly descending in flames, โคwith photosโฃ circulatingโฃ in Indianโ media showing the aircraft engulfed in fire and a โขlarge plume of black smoke. The crash triggered sirens at Al Maktoum International Airport,โค the venue forโ the biennial aviation event expected to attract around 150,000 attendees. It was not immediately clear ifโข any other individuals where injured.
The Government of Dubai Media Office acknowledged the “tragic” loss of the pilot on X (formerly Twitter), sharing aโฃ photo of crews working to โฃclear โdebris at the crash site.They stated, “Firefighting and emergency teams responded rapidly to the incident and are currently managing โขthe situationโ on-site.”
Air demonstrations resumed less than two hours after the crash, followingโ the completion of initial cleanup efforts.
The Tejas โฃjet is manufactured byโฃ India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited โขand represents a key component of โคNew Delhi’s efforts to modernize its air force, especially in lightโ of China’s supportโข for Pakistan’s airโฃ capabilities.
This incident represents aโข furtherโ setbackโค for the Indian โคAir โForce. โฃInโ Marchโข of last year, โa Tejas jet crashed inโค the state โคof Rajasthan, as reported by NDTV.The pilot in that incident โsurvived.
The crash occurs amidst heightened regionalโ tensions. In May of last year, India and Pakistan engaged in aerial combat involving fighter jets and โฃcruiseโ missiles following an attack in Indian-administered Kashmir. Pakistan claimed to have downed atโ least five Indian jets, a claim initially dismissed by Indiaโ as “disinformation.” Though, an Indian general later admitted to jet losses. US President โDonald Trump also stated that “five, four or five, but I think five jets”โ were โฃshot down.โฃ A US-China Economic and securityโข Review Commission report later indicated the loss ofโฃ three Indian jets. The โreport also highlighted that China suppliedโ over 80% โof โคPakistan’s arms imports between 2019 and 2023.
