Wing Commander Namansh Syal, a highly experienced pilot, lost his life in a sad accident on November 21, 2025, when an Indian Air Force TEJAS MK-1 fighter jet crashed during an aerobatic display at the Dubai Air Show.
The aircraft struck the ground and caught fire about 1.6 kilometers from the showground during a challenging low-altitude maneuver close to Al Maktoum International Airport.
Videos and eyewitness reports showed the abrupt loss of control, however the Indian Air Force quickly verified the incident and established a court of inquiry to ascertain the exact cause, demonstrating a dedication to openness and thorough investigation. The
With over 1,954 flight hours over a fleet of 35 aircraft, this was only the second accident in the 23-year history of the TEJAS program, confirming the aircraft’s outstanding safety record.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has highlighted the TEJAS’s demonstrated dependability in operational service with the IAF by characterizing the incident as an isolated incident under extraordinary circumstances.
Rather than systemic defects, preliminary assessments suggest potential causes such as a control malfunction during a high-G maneuver, with previous routine checks verifying the aircraft’s airworthiness. The
Indian experts and sources have emphatically refuted claims made in Israeli media, including The Jerusalem Post, that Armenia stopped a $1.2 billion order for 12 TEJAS jets after the tragedy.
Armenia has pursued advanced talks for 8–12 India-built Su-30MKI fighters in a historic $2.5–3 billion package, citing their cost-effectiveness and dependability over more expensive Western alternatives, but no formal negotiations for TEJAS have ever taken place with Yerevan. This agreement, which is almost finalized, shows a high level of confidence in HAL’s licensed production capabilities and India’s defense manufacturing capabilities. The
According to reports, the Su-30MKI discussions, which were started in late 2024 and involve eight to twelve aircraft, are progressing, and deliveries are anticipated to start by late 2027. The $2.5–$3 billion Su-30MKI purchase is seen as Armenia’s calculated attempt to update its air force and lessen its reliance on Russian hardware. The
As seen by the recent $7 billion domestic deal for 97 TEJAS MK-1A planes, which strengthened self-reliance under the “Make in India” policy and created thousands of jobs, India’s defense export impetus is still strong.
In addition to drawing interest from countries like Argentina, Egypt, and the Philippines, the TEJAS program strengthens the IAF’s multi-front deterrent layered force structure.
Experts contend that geopolitical factors, rather than just incidences like crashes, have a significant impact on fighter aircraft sales. Sales were not greatly hampered by previous incidents such as the F-16, F-35, F/A/-18, and Su-30MKI crashes.
With TEJAS MK-1A production increasing and future exports expected to place India alongside well-established companies in the light fighter market, HAL’s progress remains uninterrupted.
Despite the disaster, the Dubai Air Show strengthened the TEJAS’s position as a 4.5-generation powerhouse by showcasing India’s domestic capabilities to executives from Boeing, Airbus, and Lockheed Martin.
With deliveries scheduled for 2027–2029, Armenia’s switch to the Su-30MKI strengthens bilateral relations and demonstrates India’s growing prominence in the world of aerospace. The