India’s Tejas fighter aircraft crashes during demonstration at Dubai air show

India’s home-produced Tejas fighter jet crashed at the Dubai Air Show on Friday, an Indian Air Force (IAF) spokesperson said.

A witness said the fighter jet was flying at a low altitude at around 2:15 pm (1015 GMT) before coming down in ball of fire. Footage from the site showed black smoke rising from the crash site.

This is the second known crash of the fighter jet, which is powered by General Electric engines. The first crash was during an exercise in India in 2024.

Indian Air Force confirmed death of a pilot in the crash.

“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,” it wrote in a post on X.

“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.”

Dubai government also confirmed the crash and killing of the pilot.

“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,” Dubai’s state-run media office posted on X.

Videos circulating on social media showed the aircraft going down at speed and bursting into a ball of flames on impact as onlookers watched in shock.

A plume of smoke billowed from the crash site as emergency vehicles sped towards it.

The incident happened on the last day of the Middle East’s biggest airshow, which features a flying display each afternoon.

The biennial airshow is being held at Dubai’s Al Maktoum International Airport from November 17-21.

’Friendly country’ signs MoU to procure Pakistan’s JF-17 fighter aircraft

A “friendly country” signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to procure Pakistan’s JF-17 fighter aircraft that drew “significant attention from defence analysts” during the Dubai Airshow 2025, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Thursday.

JF-17 Thunder is an advanced, light-weight, all weather, day/night multi-role fighter aircraft; developed as a joint venture between Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC), Kamra and Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation (CAC) of China.

“During the event, the JF-17 Thunder Block-III emerged as a major focal point, drawing significant attention from defence analysts, aviation specialists and visitors,” the ISPR said then.