Reports in Israeli media claim that Armenia is suspending negotiations to acquire India’s Tejas fighter jet following the Dubai crash.
The Jerusalem Post reported that Armenia was in talks with the Indian government and aircraft manufacturer HAL regarding the purchase of 12 aircraft for $1.2 billion, a deal that has now been scrapped.
Earlier, in a tragic incident, an Indian Air Force (IAF) Tejas fighter jet plummeted to the ground during a high-stakes aerobatic display at the Dubai Airshow, erupting into a massive fireball and claiming the life of its pilot, Wing Commander Namansh Syal.
The crash, witnessed by thousands of spectators including global defense leaders and aviation enthusiasts, marked the second accident involving the indigenous aircraft in nearly 24 years.
The single-engine, 4.5-generation Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1 – a symbol of India’s push toward self-reliance in defense manufacturing – was performing a low-altitude loop maneuver around 2:10 p.m. local time (10:10 GMT) when it suddenly lost control, nosedived, and slammed into the desert terrain approximately 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) from the main showground at Al Maktoum International Airport.
Eyewitness videos circulating on social media captured the shocking moment: the sleek gray jet spiraling erratically before impact, followed by a deafening explosion and plumes of thick black smoke rising from the debris.
Syal, a seasoned IAF officer with over 1,500 flying hours and experience in multiple fighter platforms, was unable to eject from the cockpit despite the aircraft’s advanced Martin-Baker zero-zero ejection seat, designed for safe escape even at low speeds and altitudes.
The IAF confirmed his death shortly after, issuing a somber 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.”
Dubai’s government media office echoed the condolences, posting on X: “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.”
Preliminary expert analysis suggests the jet may have encountered a control system glitch or insufficient pull-up during the high-G vertical roll, though official findings are pending.
Notably, the aircraft had undergone a routine inspection the day prior, and unverified social media claims of an “oil leakage” during static display were debunked by India’s Press Information Bureau as misinformation.
Among the audience were the UAE President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, high-ranking military officials, and CEOs from Boeing, Airbus, and Lockheed Martin – all gathered to witness cutting-edge aerospace innovations.
Iraqi eyewitness Hassan Loqman, speaking to AFP from the grandstand, described the horror: “The pilot was flying at a low altitude, performing risky maneuvers. Then he seemed to be trying to avoid the accident, steering the plane upwards, but he couldn’t do so in time.”
HAL has described the latest accident as an “isolated occurrence due to exceptional circumstances,” emphasizing the jet’s overall reliability.
The timing could not have been worse for India’s defense export ambitions. The Dubai Airshow – the world’s third-largest after Paris and Farnborough – was a prime platform for pitching the Tejas to potential buyers.
Analysts warn the high-profile mishap may erode confidence, especially as rival platforms like China’s J-10CE and Pakistan’s JF-17 Block III – showcased prominently at the event – vie for the same markets.
Social media buzz has amplified concerns, with unverified reports claiming Armenia suspended a $1.2 billion deal for 12 Tejas jets post-crash – a claim debunked by Indian experts as “fake news,” noting no formal Tejas talks ever occurred with Yerevan (which is instead pursuing Su-30MKI fighters from India).
In late October 2024, Armenia reportedly initiated talks with India’s HAL for nearly a dozen Su-30MKI variants. India manufactures Su-30MKI fighter jets at the HAL facility under license from Sukhoi.
“While Yerevan is expected to explore multiple options to bolster its airpower, it is likely to focus on acquiring India-built Su-30MKIs, which are far more cost-effective than French Rafales,” Sam Lichtenstein, Director of Analysis at risk intelligence firm RANE, was quoted as saying.
Despite this, experts like Walter Ladwig of the Royal United Services Institute argue that “fighter sales are driven by geopolitical realities,” citing past crashes (e.g., Russia’s Su-30 at Paris 1999) that did not derail deals (in respect to the Tejas crash).
Meanwhile, EurAsian Times has contacted officials in both Armenia and India and awaits a formal confirmation from the authorities. The story will be updated.
By ET Online Desk
