A pilot has been killed after an Indian fighter aircraft crashed during an aerobatic display at an airshow in Dubai, officials confirmed.
In a statement, the Indian Air Force (IAF) said: “IAF deeply regrets the loss of life and stands firmly with the bereaved family during this time of grief. A court of inquiry is being instituted to determine the cause of the accident.”
The Tejas fighter jet, manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, went down at approximately 14:10 local time (10:10 GMT), according to the Associated Press. The Dubai Media Office and the UAE Ministry of Defence reported that emergency crews and firefighters “responded rapidly” and that the situation at the site is under control.
Video footage captured shortly after the crash shows thick black smoke billowing into the sky.
India’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan, expressed his condolences in a statement, saying that personnel across the Indian Army “deeply regret the incident” and “stand firmly alongside the pilot’s grieving family.”
According to the Dubai Airshow 2025 organisers, the event has drawn more than 148,000 visitors and participants from 1,500 companies worldwide.
The tragedy occurred on the final day of the airshow, which began on Monday and was held at Al Maktoum International Airport.
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