On Friday, a tragic incident unfolded at the Dubai Airshow when an Indian Air Force HAL Tejas fighter jet crashed. According to AP, the jet went down around 2:10 PM local time during a demonstration flight in front of spectators.
Following the crash, thick black smoke billowed over the Al Maktoum International Airport, accompanied by the sound of sirens.
The Dubai Air Show featured significant aircraft orders from Emirates and its subsidiary FlyDubai.
Preliminary reports indicate that the aircraft lost control and went into a sharp dive, impacting the airfield.
The Indian Air Force confirmed the crash, stating that the «pilot suffered fatal injuries due to the accident».
Tejas — is an Indian fighter jet developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. This lightweight single-engine aircraft is expected to enhance India's fighter fleet in light of China’s growing military presence in South Asia.