Indian aerospace and defense company, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which manufactures the Tejas aircraft, said it was deeply saddened by the loss of life of the “courageous IAF pilot” during the aerial display at the Dubai Air Show.
Wing Commander Namansh Syal was killed on Friday after the indigenous multi-role Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), Tejas, spiralled down and crashed in a ball of fire during the aerial display at the Al Maktoum International Airport.
"HAL is deeply saddened by the loss of the courageous IAF pilot during the aerial display at the Dubai Air Show. HAL expresses its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. @IAF_MCC @SpokespersonMoD @DefProdnIndia," HAL posted on X.
The last day of a spectacular Dubai event ended in tragedy, with visuals of the jet abruptly dropping height made rounds on the internet, showing the aircraft nosediving to the ground after what seemed to be a low-altitude manoeuvre.
Horrified spectators at the Dubai World Central saw black smoke billowing over the airstrip as the jet was instantly engulfed in flames.
Also Read: Indian Pilot dead after IAF Tejas crashes at Dubai Air Show
This is the second time in 20 months that the HAL-manufactured aircraft has been involved in a crash. Previously, an accident occurred in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer in March last year, but the pilot ejected safely.
The project to build the Tejas aircraft took off in 1984, and the jet was formally declared fit to fly in 2011, with the Indian Air Force test crew having been involved with the project right from the beginning.
The first version of the aircraft was inducted into the IAF in 2016, and in February 2021, the Defense Ministry entered into a ₹48,000 crore deal with HAL for the procurement of 83 Tejas MK-1A jets for the IAF.
In November 2023, the ministry had given an initial approval to procure an additional batch of 97 Tejas jets for the IAF.
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