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IAF Chief's Dance Video: Old Clip Fuels Tejas Controversy
26 Feb
Summary
- Viral video shows IAF Chief dancing at MiG-21 retirement ceremony.
- The clip predates recent Tejas fighter jet malfunctions and crashes.
- Tejas fighter jet has experienced two confirmed crashes and a ground incident.
An old video of Indian Air Force Chief Marshal AP Singh dancing has been circulated on social media, misleadingly connected to recent malfunctions of the Tejas fighter jet. This video was recorded in September 2025 during the retirement ceremony of the MiG-21 fighter jets in Chandigarh.
Fact-checking revealed the clip's origin, showing it predates not only recent Tejas issues but also the Dubai Airshow crash last year. The footage was captured on September 26, 2025, at a grand farewell for the Soviet-era MiG-21 fleet, which had earned the nickname "flying coffin."
To date, there have been two confirmed crashes involving the indigenous Tejas fighter jets. The first occurred on March 12, 2024, in Jaisalmer, with the pilot ejecting safely. The second incident took place in November 2025 during the Dubai Airshow, tragically resulting in the pilot's death.
Additionally, a Tejas aircraft reportedly sustained damage in February after a suspected brake failure during a runway overshoot. However, HAL clarified it was a minor ground incident, dismissing claims of serious damage and stating no Tejas jet had crashed.
