Hindustan Aeronautics calls Tejas jet crash at Dubai Air Show an ‘isolated occurrence’, assures no impact on finances

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited issued a clarification regarding the Tejas jet crash in the Dubai Air Show, stating that the incident is an isolated case with no impact on operations or financials. The company has promised to cooperate with the agencies and inform stakeholders of any important updates.

In an exchange filing released on November 24, HAL, which has jointly developed the Tejas jet, said, “We would like to bring to your attention that the recent incident during the aerial display at the Dubai Air Show is an isolated occurrence arising out of exceptional circumstances.”

The company further said, “We would like to assure that there is no impact on the Company’s business operations, financial performance or its future deliveries. The Company is extending its full support and cooperation to the agencies conducting the investigation. The Company will continue to keep the stakeholders informed of any material developments.”

During an Air Show in Dubai on Friday, an Indian Air Force Tejas fighter jet crashed during an aerial display, killing the pilot. The IAF confirmed the incident and assured that a Court of Inquiry will be set up to investigate the cause of the crash.

The Indian Air Force in a post on X, said, “An IAF Tejas aircraft met with an accident during an aerial display at Dubai Air Show, 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.”

About HAL Tejas jet

Tejas is India's first domestically produced fighter aircraft, although it uses an imported engine. The first test flight of the Technology Demonstrator-1 (TD-1) took place in 2001. Later, in 2016, the first flight of the Second Series Production (SP2) Tejas aircraft with an Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) configuration was carried out.

Tejas is a versatile, single-engine light combat aircraft developed collaboratively by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), IAF.

The HAL Tejas is capable of executing multiple roles, including aerial interception of enemy aircraft, air-to-surface strikes, and anti-shipping missions.

The jet is constructed from a mixture of aluminium-lithium alloys, titanium alloys, and advanced carbon-fibre composite materials, making it a lightweight aircraft and therefore easy to manoeuvre in challenging situations.