An Indian Tejas fighter jet crashed in a ball of fire during an aerial display at the Dubai Airshow on Friday (November 21), leaving spectators in shock.
The incident occurred on the final day of the Middle East's largest aviation event, with the Indian Air Force (IAF) swiftly announcing a court of inquiry to investigate the cause of the crash.
Shocking Incident at the Airshow
Eyewitnesses at the airshow were left horrified as the jet, performing a negative G maneuver, spiraled downward and crashed into the ground, creating a massive fireball. Brandon D’Souza, a visitor at the event, described the moment as "beyond shocking" and noted the silence that fell over the crowd as they struggled to comprehend what had happened.
"As it came out, it was performing a negative G manoeuvre, and the way he recovered… to be honest, he was already pretty low at that point, so… and then he recovered and went straight into the ground," D’Souza said.
A Pilot’s Tragic End
Oezguen Goecer, another visitor to the airshow, expressed his shock and sorrow over the incident, particularly as the pilot was experienced and the aircraft was a vital asset for India’s air force modernization efforts.
"The feeling is it's a very terrible feeling because it's an experienced pilot. It's a long life as a pilot, like 20 years. When you know it's a family in the back, it's only one pilot. This is why I'm feeling bad, not the aircraft itself, only the pilot human," Goecer said.
Background of the Tejas Jet
The Tejas, a homegrown Indian fighter jet manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), is part of India's effort to modernize its air force, which has largely relied on Russian and ex-Soviet-era aircraft. The aircraft, which has been in production since 2001, is designed as a light combat jet to replace the aging MiG-21s in India’s fleet. The jet is powered by General Electric engines and has been seen as crucial for India’s military modernization.
The crash was the second known incident involving the Tejas, with the first crash occurring during an exercise in India in 2024.
Immediate Response and Resumption of Flights
Dubai’s government and emergency teams managed the situation on-site, and despite the tragedy, flying resumed later in the day with other jets taking to the sky above the show site. The crash was the first of the airshow, which had been showcasing a wide array of international aircraft, including those from India and its regional rival, Pakistan.
India's Air Force Modernization Efforts
The Tejas is expected to play a significant role in the IAF’s future plans, with the air force anticipating the operation of almost 220 Tejas fighters and advanced Mk-1A variants over the next decade. The aircraft is a key element in India's efforts to upgrade its fleet and reduce reliance on foreign-made jets.
Dubai Airshow's Global Significance
The Dubai Airshow, the third largest in the world after Paris and Farnborough, is a major event for showcasing military and civilian aircraft. The show features a wide range of exhibitors, including weapons from China and Russia, as well as aircraft from India and Pakistan. Despite the tragedy, the event continues to be a major gathering for aviation professionals from around the globe.
The investigation into the crash continues, as authorities and the Indian Air Force work to determine the cause of the fatal incident.
China’s Ministry of Commerce announced on Friday that it will introduce a licensing system for steel exports starting in 2026, covering around 300 s...
Venezuela’s oil shipments have plunged following the United States’ seizure of a tanker earlier this week....
The Kremlin on Friday dismissed proposals for a ceasefire to allow a territorial referendum in Ukraine, describing any pause in hostilities as a tacti...
A new batch of photographs from Jeffrey Epstein’s estate has been released by the House Oversight Committee, shedding light on the financier’s con...
The European Union has announced plans to indefinitely freeze Russian assets held within the bloc, in a move aimed at ensuring up to $246 billion in R...
China’s Ministry of Commerce announced on Friday that it will introduce a licensing system for steel exports starting in 2026, covering around 300 steel products.
Venezuela’s oil shipments have plunged following the United States’ seizure of a tanker earlier this week.
The Kremlin on Friday dismissed proposals for a ceasefire to allow a territorial referendum in Ukraine, describing any pause in hostilities as a tactical ploy rather than a genuine step toward ending the conflict.
A new batch of photographs from Jeffrey Epstein’s estate has been released by the House Oversight Committee, shedding light on the financier’s connections with prominent political, business, and cultural figures.
Japan has lifted a tsunami advisory issued after an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 hit the country's northeastern region on Friday (12 December), the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said. The JMA had earlier put the earthquake's preliminary magnitude at 6.7.
The United States issued new sanctions targeting Venezuela on Thursday, imposing curbs on three nephews of President Nicolas Maduro's wife, as well as six crude oil tankers and shipping companies linked to them, as Washington ramps up pressure on Caracas.
Iran is preparing to host a multilateral regional meeting next week in a bid to mediate between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Kyiv has escalated its naval campaign against Moscow’s economic lifelines, claiming a successful strike on a vessel suspected of skirting international sanctions within the Black Sea.
The resignation of Bulgaria's government on Thursday (11 December) puts an end to an increasingly unpopular coalition but is likely to usher in a period of prolonged political instability on the eve of the Black Sea nation's entry into the euro zone.
Türkiye’s Trade Minister Omer Bolat said Friday that discussions in Washington with U.S. officials have strengthened efforts to expand bilateral trade, moving closer to a $100 billion target.
Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif held talks on Friday during the International Peace and Trust Forum in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, focusing on bilateral relations as well as regional and global issues
ussian President Vladimir Putin described Moscow’s relations with Baghdad as historically strong and unbroken during a meeting with Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid in Turkmenistan.
Hungary has strongly criticised NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte’s warning that Russia could be capable of attacking the alliance within five years, with Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó describing the remarks as irresponsible and dangerous.
Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to halt all shooting from Friday evening following renewed fighting along their shared border, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment