An Indian Air Force Tejas fighter jet crashed in the United Arab Emirates on Friday while taking part in the Dubai Airshow 2025. The Indian Air Force has confirmed in a post on X that the pilot flying the jet died in the crash after sustaining fatal injuries. A court of inquiry is being constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident, the Indian Air Force added.The pilot in the Tejas aircraft crash during the Dubai Air Show has been identified as Squadron Leader Naman Syal from Kangra.
The Tejas jet went down around 2:10 pm. local time while performing a flying display for spectators at Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai World Central. A video of the crash showed the fighter jet plunging towards the ground before exploding into a ball of fire. The video did not show any ejection having taken place.
The city-state’s second airport was hosting the biennial Dubai Air Show, an event marked this year by major aircraft orders from Emirates and its low-cost sister airline FlyDubai.