The incident will undoubtedly trigger questions about safety and airworthiness, but it comes after years in which Tejas, along with a clutch of defence programmes, quietly reshaped India’s defence capabilities and improved the country’s defence innovation standing.
According to the HAL, Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas is a 4.5 generation, all-weather and multi-role fighter aircraft. Tejas, as a multi-role aircraft, can undertake offensive air support, close combat and ground attack with ease. The fighter jet is also capable of undertaking ground maritime operations.
According to IAF sources, this deployment underscores both India’s aerial prowess and its growing defence-diplomacy outreach in the Middle East. The Dubai Airshow 2025 is expected to host over 1,500 exhibitors, 490 delegations, and more than 200 aircraft.
