TRIBUTES are pouring in for an Indian top gun pilot who was killed in a fiery crash at Dubai Airshow.
Namansh Syal, a wing commander from Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district, was confirmed as the pilot who died in the horrific airshow crash.
The Indian Air Force chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu sadly confirmed the “extremely heartbreaking” death of the nation’s “brave son”.
“The nation has lost a brave, dutiful, and courageous pilot,” Sukhu said in the post.
“I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved family members. I pay heartfelt tribute to the indomitable bravery, dedication to duty, and commitment to national service of brave son Namansh,” he added.
Shocking footage showed the £32million fighter jet plummeted to the ground and burst into flames in a horror crash during an airshow.
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Giant flames engulfed the plane, sending smoke rising over the Dubai desert and killing the pilot on board.
The aircraft, believed to be a Indian Tejas according to the flight schedule, went down during the final display at around 2.10pm local time on Friday.
A large crowd had gathered for the popular demonstration segment when the jet hit the ground near the runway, erupting into a massive fireball.
Emergency services raced to the scene and rescue operations began immediately.
The show was paused and visitors were told to return to the exhibition area, with the rest of the day’s events cancelled.
Footage from the scene shows the jet performing low-altitude manoeuvres before striking the ground, with no visible ejection.
The Indian Air Force later confirmed the pilot was tragically killed in the crash.
It said in a statement: “An IAF Tejas aircraft met with an accident during an aerial display at Dubai Airshow, today.
“The pilot sustained fatal injuries in the accident. IAF deeply regrets the loss of life and stands firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief.
“A court of inquiry is being constituted, to ascertain the cause of the accident.”
Videos of the aftermath showed thick black smoke billowing from the crash site near the airport, triggering panic among onlookers, including families with children who had gathered to watch the show.
Authorities have not indicated any cause to the crash, and there is no evidence to support rumours of sabotage so far.
Indian outlets NDTV and The Indian Express reported that the jet was a Tejas fighter developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL).
The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defence issued a statement, reading: “A Tejas fighter aircraft from India participating in today’s flying display at the Dubai Airshow has crashed, resulting in the tragic death of the pilot. Firefighting and emergency teams responded rapidly to the incident and are currently managing the situation on-site.”
No statements have yet been issued by the jet manufacturer, the organisers.
The Tejas is a 4.5-generation fighter designed for offensive air support, close combat and ground attack missions.
According to HAL’s description, it can also perform ground and maritime roles, making it one of India’s most adaptable planes.
The family includes single-seat fighters for the Air Force and Navy, as well as twin-seat trainer variants.
Its latest version, the LCA Mk1A, features upgrades including an AESA radar, advanced electronic warfare suite, digital map generator, smart multifunction displays, and a modern radio altimeter.
Friday’s crash comes against the backdrop of production pressures facing Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.
According to The Indian Express, the company has several Tejas aircraft ready for delivery, but engine shortages from US-based General Electric have slowed output
HAL secured a Rs 46,900-crore order in 2021 for 83 Tejas Mk-1A, initially slated for rollout in 2023, but engine supply delays pushed the schedule, the local outlet reported.
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The production line is now stabilised for the fiscal ending March 2026, with capacity to deliver up to 24 aircraft per year.
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