A Tejas fighter jet during a demonstration, similar to the aircraft involved in the fatal Dubai Air Show crash (Photo: ANI)
The tragic setback for India’s Air Force has continued as a Tejas fighter jet crashed during a demonstration at the Dubai Air Show and claimed Wing Commander Namansh Syal’s life.
The incident has raised public concern about the alarming frequency of military aviation accidents for a nation considered the world’s fourth most powerful and home to one of the largest air forces.
The Tejas crash is only the latest in a distressing litany of aviation accidents. On November 14, a Pilatus PC-7 went down during a training sortie near Chennai, though the pilot survived. In July, a Jaguar crashed in Rajasthan, killing both pilots. The Air Force also saw multiple other Jaguar and transport aircraft accidents this year.
The incidents underline an all-too-familiar trend: there have been at least 106 crashes and 74 pilot deaths in the last decade alone. Since independence, more than 1,800 aircraft have been lost, the vast majority under non-combat conditions.
A number of defence experts point out that a key factor in this crisis is the dependence of India on ageing aircraft. For many years, the MiG-21s, which were derided as flying coffins, remained in service until their final retirement in 2025. Almost 500 MiGs crashed by 2012, killing around 200 pilots.
The Jaguars are another older platform that keeps suffering repeated failures. These planes continue to fly mainly because their replacements were late, underperforming, or too few in numbers.
India’s crash record stems largely from an ageing fleet that has stayed in service far beyond its safe lifespan. Jets like the MiG-21, MiG-29 and Jaguar continue flying despite high failure rates and scarce replacements.
Delays in the Tejas program, engine dependence on foreign suppliers and repeated technical shortcomings have further slowed modernisation, creating a cycle of risk that the Air Force still struggles to break. The 872 MiG aircraft purchased by India, 482 had crashed by April 2012, approximately 200 pilots have lost their lives to these MiGs.
The 872 MiG aircraft purchased by India, 482 had crashed by April 2012, approximately 200 pilots have lost their lives.
The Tejas light combat aircraft was envisioned decades ago as a homegrown replacement for Soviet-era jets. But the protracted development delays and early performance issues have slowed its integration into the fleet. Complications in the indigenous Kaveri engine have forced dependence on imported powerplants, exposing the programme to supply vulnerabilities.
ALSO READ: Another Arrest in Red Fort Blast Probe: J&K Police Detain Pulwama Electrician Tufail Niyaz Bhat
Although the Tejas MK1A is likely to be a major pillar of the IAF's future fleet, high-profile accident those on international stage seriously risk undermining global confidence in India's first fully domestic fighter.
Technical faults are only part of the story. Human error accounted for more than half of IAF crashes according to a parliamentary defence panel reviewing accidents between 2017 and 2022.
Maintenance issues, shortages of trained personnel and overstretched resources continue to challenge the organisation. While inquiries follow each accident, systemic reforms remain slow.
India is going ahead with the induction of over 220 Tejas variants and the development of Tejas Mark 2. But without urgent improvements in training, maintenance infrastructure and modernization of the fleet, accidents will continue to raise concerns both within India and globally.
The recent Dubai crash is a stark reminder that what is needed is deeper structural change, not only incremental upgrades in the nation's aviation capabilities.
ALSO READ: Tejas Crash at Dubai Airshow: New Video Shows Final Moments Before Fatal Impact | Watch
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes and reflects current research and reports. Details may evolve as official investigations progress.
