Indian Air Force’s indigenous fighter jet LCA-Tejas crashed on the last day (16-21 November) of the Dubai Air Show held in the Gulf country United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Air Force pilot died in the accident. Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas represented India at the Dubai Air Show. Tejas fighter aircraft took part in the flying of the air show. According to the local time of Dubai, at 2.10 pm on Friday (3.40 pm Indian time), while performing a maneuver in the sky, the Tejas aircraft suddenly fell on the ground while low-flying. From the pictures and videos at the time of the crash, it appears as if the fighter plane was in free-fall.
At the time of the crash, thousands of people from India and abroad were present at Dubai’s Al-Makhtom airbase to watch the flying. In such a situation, spectators and international journalists captured the crash on live cameras and mobile phones.
After the crash the fighter jet burst into flames. The pilot also did not get a chance to exit the plane. Looking at the video, it also appears that the pilot tried to save the plane till the last breath. At the same time, care was also taken that while falling, the fighter plane was not allowed to fall on the spectators’ gallery or on the planes from all over the world standing for exhibition on the tarmac.
IAF ordered investigation
After the accident, the Air Force issued a brief statement confirming the crash of Tejas aircraft at the Dubai Air Show and said that the pilot has also died due to serious injuries. The Air Force has ordered an investigation into the incident so that the causes of the accident can be found out. Expressing its condolences on the incident, the Air Force expressed its commitment to stand with the pilot’s family in this hour of grief. In the Dubai Air Show, held once in two years, air forces and global aviation companies from around the world display their fighter aircraft, transport aircraft and reconnaissance aircraft and other military equipment.
Tejas has already participated in Dubai Airshow
LCA Tejas has also participated in the Dubai Air Show in the years 2021 and 2023. This time, along with Tejas, Pakistan’s indigenous fighter jet, JF-17 also participated. Apart from LCA Tejas, the aerobatic team of Air Force’s Suryakiran (Hawk fighter jet) also participated in the Dubai Air Show. India had a big presence at the air show. In such a situation, Minister of State for Defense Sanjay Seth and Co-Chief of the Air Force (Vice Chief) Air Marshal N. Tiwari himself participated in the inauguration ceremony of the Aero Show and inaugurated the India Pavilion.
Apart from the Air Force, LCA Tejas has also been prepared by India for export to friendly countries under Make for the World. This is the reason why Tejas’ participation in the Dubai Air Show was very important. This is the reason why Minister of State for Defense Sanjay Seth himself went to Dubai with a large delegation.
HAL and DRDO stalls were set up in the airshow
In the Indian pavilion set up at the Dubai Air Show, stalls of many major Indian defense and technology companies including LCA Tejas manufacturing company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), BrahMos Aerospace Limited, Coral Technologies, Duntal Hydraulics, Image Synergy Explore and SFO Technologies were present.
Apart from these, 19 Indian companies including Bharat Forge, BrahMos, Tech Mahindra and HBL Engineering independently demonstrated their capabilities. Together, 15 Indian startups will showcase their products and solutions. Indian Air Force Suryakiran Aerobatic Team also participated in this air show.
1500 exhibitors from 150 countries participated
The Dubai Air Show is a biennial global event, attracting over 1,500 exhibitors from 150 countries and over 1,48,000 industry professionals. Leading international aerospace companies such as Bombardier, Dassault Aviation, Embraer, Thales, Airbus, Lockheed Martin and Callidus showcase their products and technologies at this prestigious event.