The investigation into the crash of a Tejas light combat aircraft at the Dubai Airshow last November is still ongoing, according to Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, the vice chief of the Indian Air Force (IAF). He stated that the final technical analysis of some components is still awaited.
During the crash, Wing Commander Namansh Syal was performing aerobatic maneuvers when the aircraft went down on the last day of the five-day airshow. This was the second incident involving the Tejas, as there was a previous crash near Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, in March 2024. In that incident, the pilot managed to eject safely after the aircraft crashed shortly after participating in a tri-services exercise.
The Tejas aircraft are a vital part of the IAF’s fleet. The first LCA Mk-1 was inducted in July 2016, and currently, the IAF operates two squadrons of these jets. The two aircraft involved in the crashes were part of the initial operational clearance (IOC) and the more advanced final operational clearance (FOC) configurations.
To enhance its fighter fleet, IAF has placed two significant orders for a total of 180 Mk-1A jets, worth about ₹1.1 lakh crore. The first order, which includes 83 jets, was signed in February 2021, followed by a second order for 97 jets in September 2025. However, none of the jets from these orders have been delivered yet. The IAF is expected to receive the first of the 83 aircraft by the end of this year, and the delivery will continue over the next few years. The second order’s deliveries are anticipated to start around 2027-2028.
