Did the Tejas fighter jet crash at the Dubai Air Show?

Yes, an Indian HAL Tejas fighter jet crashed during its demonstration at the Dubai Air Show on Friday.

Were there false claims about the Tejas jet at Dubai Airshow?

Yes, the Indian government previously clarified that social media claims of an oil leak on the Tejas jet were false, stemming from routine procedures.

What is the Tejas fighter jet?

The Tejas Mk1 is a Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) developed in India, symbolizing the country's advancements in indigenous defense aviation.

Home / Disasters and Accidents / Tejas Jet Crashes During Dubai Air Show

Tejas Jet Crashes During Dubai Air Show

21 Nov, 2025

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Summary

An Indian Tejas fighter jet crashed during a Dubai Air Show demonstration.
The incident occurred Friday afternoon, with black smoke visible.
Authorities previously debunked claims of an oil leak on the jet.

A significant incident occurred at the Dubai Air Show on Friday when an Indian HAL Tejas fighter jet crashed during a scheduled demonstration. The aircraft went down around 2:10 PM local time, causing black smoke to rise over the airport and drawing the attention of spectators. Details regarding the pilot's condition and whether they ejected safely were not immediately available.

This unfortunate event comes shortly after the Indian government, through its Press Information Bureau's Fact Check unit, actively refuted claims circulating on social media about the Tejas Mk1 suffering an oil leakage at the airshow. These false claims were amplified by several accounts attempting to portray performance issues.

Authorities clarified that the viral videos actually depicted routine aircraft draining procedures, essential in humid conditions like Dubai's, and not a technical malfunction. The fluid observed was identified as condensed water from the Environmental Control System and On-Board Oxygen Generating System, standard in high atmospheric moisture. Officials dismissed these misleading posts as efforts to undermine confidence in the fighter jet's capabilities, especially as the Tejas represents India's indigenous defense aviation prowess on the global stage.