HAL calls Teja crash at Dubai air base an ‘isolated event’ and says there will be no impact on future deliveries

Firefighters work at the scene of a crash involving an Indian-made HAL Tejas fighter jet during the Dubai Air Show, United Arab Emirates, November 21, 2025 | Photo credit: Dubai Government Media Office

In a filing to the stock exchanges, HAL said it was providing “full support and cooperation” to the authorities investigating the crash and that it would keep all stakeholders informed of any significant developments. The company reiterated its confidence in the design and safety performance of the indigenous fighter.

The clarification comes amid speculation surrounding the crash, even as senior Indian Air Force (IAF) officials insisted that conclusions should be withheld until the completion of an inquest now underway to determine why the plane nose-dived and caught fire during Friday’s demonstration.

However, the reaction from investors was sharp. HAL shares fell nearly 9 per cent in early trade on Monday, falling to ₹4,205.25 on the BSE before recovering some ground. At the time of filing this report, the stock was trading at ₹4,452.20, down 3.11 per cent.

The crash claimed the life of Wing Commander Namansh Syal, the IAF pilot who flew the aircraft. His last rites were performed on Sunday at his native village Patialkar in Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district. In a statement, the IAF expressed deep regret over the loss and confirmed that a formal investigation had been launched to determine the cause.

Defense program

A cornerstone of India’s indigenous defense programme, the Tejas is a multi-role canard delta wing combat aircraft capable of air defense, reconnaissance and attack missions. The platform has played a central role in India’s efforts to expand domestic defense production under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

Earlier in October, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the third production line of the LCA Tejas Mk1A and the second line for the HTT-40 trainer aircraft at HAL’s Nashik facility, also flagging off the first Tejas Mk1A to be produced there. He had described the aircraft as a “shining symbol” of India’s growing self-reliance in defense production, noting that the country now produces nearly 65 percent of its military equipment domestically – a reversal from dependency levels of a decade ago.

Despite the Dubai accident, HAL emphasized that the Tejas program remains on track and maintains a strong safety record built up through years of operational and test flights. However, the handover of Tejas LCA Mk-1A to the IAF has been significantly delayed due to the software integration of weapon platforms with the fighter aircraft. Induction into the Indian Air Force may not begin until March 2026.

Published on November 24, 2025