On Friday, 21 November 2025, at Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport in Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates, where the Dubai Airshow 2025 is being held (scheduled for 17–24 November), an Indian HAL Tejas LCA Mk 1A light multirole fighter crashed. The pilot was killed instantly.
Tejas LCA Mk 1A (LA5025/SP-29) from the static display at Dubai Airshow 2025 / Photos: MILMAG
The Indian Air Force (Bhāratīya Vāyu Senā) brought two Tejas aircraft from No. 18 Squadron to the airshow: one with the registration number LA5025 and serial SP-29 for the static display, and another with the registration number LA2028 and serial SP-32 for the flying demonstration.
The latter aircraft was scheduled to perform the final afternoon flying display. It took off shortly after 14:10 local time. According to videos shared on social media, roughly three minutes after takeoff the aircraft, while in level flight, suddenly began to lose altitude and crashed on the airfield. The pilot did not attempt to eject and had no chance of survival.
Emergency airport rescue teams, police units, and ambulances rushed to the crash site immediately, and a medevac helicopter was dispatched as well. All responding services confirmed the death of the Indian pilot.
The Indian Air Force’s public affairs office issued the following statement:
“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 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…
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) November 21, 2025
BREAKING: An Indian Tejas fighter jet crashed during an aerial display at the Dubai Air Show. pic.twitter.com/TvwUoe3juh
— Clash Report (@clashreport) November 21, 2025
A clearer video of the Indian Air Force LCA Tejas before the crash has emerged and it appears to be a case of a misjudged manoeuvre by the aircrew.
The LCA Tejas was performing aerobatics at the Dubai Air Show 2025. pic.twitter.com/aZBMarve3p
— Tactical Tipu (@Tactical_Tipu) November 21, 2025
The Tejas LCA Mk 1A is India’s newest light multirole fighter aircraft, produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The first batch, 73 combat aircraft and 10 trainers, was ordered in January 2021 for 456.96 billion INR. The first aircraft from that contract made its maiden flight on March 28, 2024. A second batch of 97 aircraft was ordered on August 20 of this year for 620 billion INR, bringing the total order to 180 aircraft.
With the signing of the second contract, the overall procurement rises to 180 units. They are intended to replace the MiG-21 Bison fighters, which were retired from service on September 26 of this year.
More than 65% of the aircraft’s components are supplied by India’s domestic industry, while key systems, such as the General Electric F404-GE-IN20 engines from the United States, the Elta Systems EL/M-2052 AESA radar from Israel, and MBDA ASRAAM missiles from the United Kingdom, are provided by foreign partners.
The newly built Tejas LCA Mk 1A aircraft will complement the 31 older Tejas Mk 1 fighters in two squadrons (from the original batch of 40; one was lost in an accident on March 12, 2024). Compared to the Mk 1, the Mk 1A represents a deep modernization. In addition to the new engine, radar, and weapons, the aircraft receives upgraded mission systems, avionics, and other enhancements.
