Relevance: GS3 – Defence, Indigenisation | Source: Indian Express, IAF Updates

An IAF Tejas Mk-1 fighter aircraft crashed during an aerial display at the Dubai Airshow 2025, killing Wing Commander Namansh Syal. A Court of Inquiry is underway. This is the second major Tejas accident in 2025, following a crash during training at Jaisalmer.

Why Are Crashes a Concern? 

  • High-risk aerobatic manoeuvres during airshows
  • Stress on engine–airframe integration in early Mk-1 batches
  • Flight control system overloads during tight displays
  • Variability in pilot situational workload
     (Final cause awaited—no confirmed technical failure yet.)

About the Tejas Programme

Tejas is India’s first indigenously designed and manufactured fighter under the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme.

  • Designed by: Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA)
  • Produced by: Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL)
  • Type: 4.5-generation, lightweight multirole fighter
  • Core features: composite airframe, fly-by-wire controls, advanced radar, precision weapons
  • Variants:

    • Tejas Mk-1: Initial operational version
    • Tejas Mk-1A: Improved radar, EW suite, maintainability upgrades
    • Tejas Mk-2 & Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft: Under development, boosting India’s aerospace capability

The programme is central to India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat defence push and export ambitions.

Impact on India’s Indigenous Defence Effort & Way Ahead

Concerns

Way Ahead

Repeated crashes risk damaging export confidenceStrengthen flight-safety audits & independent evaluation
Operational questions around older Mk-1 unitsFast-track induction of Mk-1A with upgraded systems
Pressure on HAL/ADA for reliability enhancementInvest in testing, certification, and global engine partnerships
Negative optics for India’s aerospace sectorTransparent inquiry reports to reassure partners

India’s long-term indigenisation drive remains strong but requires rigorous testing standards, better maintenance cycles, and high-skill training for demonstration flying.

With reference to the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), consider the following statements:

  1. Tejas is jointly developed by HAL and the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) through ADA.
  2. Tejas Mk-1A is equipped with upgraded avionics and an improved electronic warfare suite.
  3. Only foreign engines are used in all variants of Tejas.

Which of the statements are correct?
 (a) 1 and 2 only
 (b) 2 and 3 only
 (c) 1 and 3 only
 (d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (a)
 Statement 3 is incorrect: India is developing the indigenous Kaveri engine, though it is not yet operationally deployed.

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