VIDEO: Indian pilot dies in fighter jet crash at Dubai Airshow
Last updated: November 21, 2025 | 15:43
Emergency services attend the scene after an Indian HAL Tejas crashed during a demonstration at the Dubai Airshow on Friday. AP
Emergency services attend the scene after an Indian HAL Tejas crashed during a demonstration at the Dubai Air Show, at Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday Nov. 21, 2025. (Dubai Media Office via AP)
Gulf Today, Staff Reporter / Agencies
In a tragic incident, a Tejas fighter aircraft from India participating in Friday's flying display at the Dubai Airshow has crashed, resulting in the death of the pilot.
Relevant teams responded immediately to the incident and are currently managing the situation on-site.
Earlier, the Dubai Government Media Office announced in a tweet on the X platform the death of an Indian pilot in a fighter aircraft crash during a flying display at the Dubai Airshow.
The media office said, "A Tejas fighter aircraft from India participating in today’s flying display at the Dubai Airshow has crashed, resulting in the tragic death of the pilot. Firefighting and emergency teams responded rapidly to the incident and are currently managing the situation on-site."
Police and emergency personnel could be seen at the crash site afterward, with firefighting foam sprayed across the road.
An SUV bearing diplomatic plates flying the Indian flag also could be seen. The air show resumed flight demonstrations about an half and a hour afterward, with the Russian Knights flying overhead as emergency crews still worked the crash site.
The Indian HAL Tejas, a combat aircraft used in the Indian Air Force, crashed around 2:10pm local time after the pilot had flown across the site of the biennial air show in Dubai several times.
A picture taken on Thursday shows Indian Air Force's HAL Tejas performing a display flight at Al Maktoum International Airport during the Dubai Airshow. AFP
The plane appeared to lose control and dive directly toward the ground just prior to crashing inside the grounds of the airfield.
The Indian Air Force confirmed the crash and said "the pilot sustained fatal injuries in the accident." "IAF deeply regrets the loss of life and stands firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief," it said in a statement. It said "a court of inquiry is being constituted, to ascertain the cause of the accident."
Tejas is India's indigenous fighter aircraft, built by state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
