IAF’s Tejas fighter jet crash during Dubai air show leaves pilot dead; Defence Minister says ‘deeply anguished’

What IAF said on Tejas crash in Dubai

The IAF said in a statement that a court of inquiry is being constituted. “An IAF Tejas aircraft met with an accident during an aerial display at Dubai Air Show, today. 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. A court of inquiry is being constituted, to ascertain the cause of the accident,” an Air Force spokesperson said.

Plumes of thick black smoke followed a fireball at the crash site near the airport, causing panic among spectators, including families and children who had gathered for the show.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said he was “deeply anguished” by the death of a brave and courageous IAF pilot during an aerial display at the Dubai Air Show. Extending his condolences, he said his “heartfelt sympathies” were with the bereaved family and added that the nation stands firmly with them in this tragic hour.

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan expressed ‘deep regret’ at the crash and said all ranks of the Indian Armed Forces stand firm with the bereaved family.

”General Anil Chauhan, CDS and all ranks of Indian Armed Forces deeply regret the incident in which an IAF Tejas aircraft met with an accident during an aerial display at Dubai Air Show, today. The pilot sustained fatal injuries in the accident. We deeply regret the loss of life and stand firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief,” the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) said on X.

UAE govt responds to Tejas jet crash

The United Arab Emirates government said firefighting and emergency teams responded rapidly to the incident and are “currently managing the situation on-site”.

What is Tejas fighter aircraft?

Tejas is a 4.5-generation fighter aircraft designed to handle offensive air support, close combat and ground attack missions, as per a description on the HAL website. Built for versatility, it is also engineered to perform ground and maritime operations, making it one of India’s most adaptable indigenous platforms. The Tejas family includes single-seat fighter variants for both the Air Force and Navy, as well as twin-seat trainer versions for each service.

As per HAL website, it is the most advanced iteration, the LCA Mk1A, incorporates significant upgrades to enhance combat capability and survivability. It features an AESA radar, an advanced electronic warfare suite with radar warning and self-protection jamming, a digital map generator, smart multifunction displays, a combined interrogator and transponder system, and a modern radio altimeter, along with several other sophisticated systems that strengthen its operational performance.

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