The latest crash of an Indian Air Force Tejas has unleashed a fresh wave of criticism, threatening the fighter’s fragile reputation just as production delays continue to mount and export prospects remain elusive. Yet aviation history offers perspective: the Saab JAS 39 Gripen — today one of the world’s most successful and widely exported fighters — survived an almost identical crisis, plagued by multiple crashes and intense political scrutiny.
An Indian Air Force LCA Tejas crashed while performing aerobatic manoeuvres at the Dubai Air Show on November 21, killing the pilot. Although the accident is currently under investigation, observers believe that the crash could hurt its reputation and export potential.
Some reports noted that, despite having no prior experience in exporting combat jets, the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) had made some headway in convincing buyers in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America of Tejas’ reliability and support network in recent years. However, the latest crash may have punctured that momentum.
The cynicism came from unexpected places. The popular industrialist Anand Mahindra took to X to say: “We have to acknowledge that this is a setback for the program, and for the global confidence and potential we have worked so hard to build around it.” He went on to sound a positive and encouraging note, saying, “Setbacks do not define us. Our response does. India’s journey toward self-reliance in aerospace is too important, too hard-earned, and too full of potential to be shaken. This moment must only strengthen our courage.”
However, an army of netizens, analysts, and defence enthusiasts came out in defence of the aircraft online and offline, dismissing the criticism as misplaced.
For one, several analysts have pointed out that the crash that occurred during an international air show, in full view of cameras and a global audience, may give the impression that the aircraft is unreliable. However, fighter jet accidents during aerobatics are not uncommon.
In August 2025, an American-origin F-16 pilot was killed when his jet crashed during preparations for an air show in central Poland. Similarly, in May 2022, two French Rafale jets collided mid-air during an air display at the Cognac air show in southwestern France. And, in September 2017, an Italian Eurofighter Typhoon crashed while performing in an air show in central Italy, killing the pilots on board.
The EurAsian Times understands that, unlike the Tejas, which has yet to make its debut in the export market, the three jets mentioned above have achieved significant export success and continue to receive new orders.
In fact, the Tejas has participated in a host of air shows, mesmerizing audiences with its aerial display. This includes the Singapore Air Show of 2022, where the aircraft performed the same manoeuvre as in the Dubai Air Show 2025, as seen in the video below.
⚡ A side-by-side comparison of the IAF Tejas performing its low-fly negative-G manoeuvre; one from the flawless Singapore 2022 display, and the other from the Dubai 2025 airshow attempt that sadly ended in a crash.pic.twitter.com/6xxKAR7xrT
— OSINT Updates (@OsintUpdates) November 22, 2025
Before the November 2025 fatal crash, the Tejas went down in Jaisalmer in Rajasthan in March 2024, during a regular training sortie. The pilot managed to eject safely.
Even as the cause of the crash and its impact on sales continues to be hotly discussed on social media, former naval chief Admiral Arun Prakash (retd), who has also been at the forefront of championing indigenisation in the defence sector, took to X to say that the negativity regarding the aircraft is uncalled for.
Admiral Prakash also drew a comparison between the Tejas and the Swedish JAS-39 Gripen to argue in favour of the Tejas. “Peer light wt fighter, Swedish Gripen: developed with US help, carries GE engine, Marconi radar. The prototype crashed within a year. Two crashes at air displays (1993/2017). Yet bought by 5 countries. Let’s keep faith in our Tejas,” he stated.
Saab Gripen, Like Tejas, Had A Rocky Start
Both Tejas and Saab Gripen belong to the same “4.5-generation” lightweight multirole fighter category, have similar size, weight, and general performance envelopes. In fact, both aircraft have also competed against one another in international fighter jet contests.
Gripen’s initial development started in 1979, and soon after, a new design was picked and developed: the JAS-39, which took its first flight in 1988. The first delivery of this variant of the fighter occurred in 1993, and it entered service with the Swedish Air Force in 1996.
This, of course, means that it preceded the Tejas, which made its operational debut only in 2016. Much like the Tejas, the Saab Gripen also carries foreign components, including the General Electric F414 family of engines.
Also, like the Tejas, the Swedish aircraft did not have a great start.
The Gripen, which first flew in December 1988, experienced two notable crashes during its initial testing and early production phases in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
In February 1989, the aircraft’s prototype crashed during its sixth flight. It was attributed to pilot-induced oscillation (PIO) during landing and software issues in the flight control system (FCS). This occurred less than a year after its maiden flight and prompted further modifications to the aircraft.
In 1993, the JAS 39A (the first production aircraft) crashed during an aerial display at the Stockholm Water Festival airshow on Långholmen Island, Sweden. While the pilot managed to eject, the aircraft was destroyed upon impact with water.
The crash occurred when the aircraft stalled during a low-altitude, high-angle-of-attack roll manoeuvre. The tragic accident was broadcast live on television.
That, however, did not impact the aircraft’s export potential.
SAAB Gripen first tasted success when South Africa ordered 26 C/D variants in 1999. This was followed by lease agreements signed with the Czech Republic in 2001 for 14 C/D aircraft and with Hungary in 2003 for another 14.
When the Swedish manufacturer unveiled the Gripen-E, the most advanced variant of the aircraft, Brazil ordered 36 E/F with a provision for local production.
After the deal with Brazil, Saab went through a decade-long dry spell, with the new Gripen-E/F losing to its European counterparts and the American F-35 stealth fighter across international contests.
Neither of these losses was attributed to the aircraft’s unreliability, given the few crashes it suffered in the initial years, and Saab blamed the lack of political clout for its recurring losses.
Much to Saab’s jubilation, the excruciatingly long dry spell ended in 2024 when Thailand chose the aircraft to replace its older F-16s.
This was followed by the signing of a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Ukraine in October 2025 for the export of 100 to 150 Gripen-E/F fighter jets—a big shot in the arm for Saab. And earlier this month, Colombia officially placed an order for 17 JAS Gripen E/F fighter jets.
In addition, Canada is also considering purchasing these Swedish jets as it reconsiders the F-35A acquisition.
Clearly, a few early setbacks did not dent the Gripens!
Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force strongly backs the Tejas fighter jets and remains its biggest and only customer.
As of December 2025, the Indian Air Force has placed firm orders for 123 LCA Tejas fighter jets, including 40 Tejas Mk1/Mk1A under the original 2006–2010 contracts, plus the landmark 83 Tejas Mk1A order signed in February 2021, worth ₹48,000 crore ($5.7B).
The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk-1A is an indigenously designed, developed, and manufactured 4.5-generation multirole fighter aircraft representing a significant milestone in India’s defence self-reliance.
Equipped with cutting-edge operational capabilities, including Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missiles, an advanced Electronic Warfare (EW) suite, and Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR), the Tejas Mk-1A emerges as a highly potent and versatile platform perfectly aligned with the evolving operational requirements of the Indian Air Force.
Marking a historic first, the Tejas Mk-1A is the maiden combat aircraft acquisition under the “Buy (Indian-IDDM)” category. It currently boasts over 50% indigenous content, which will progressively increase to more than 60% by the end of the programme.
Of the 344 critical systems and subsystems integrated into the aircraft, approximately 250 are designed and manufactured indigenously, underscoring India’s growing technological prowess and commitment to Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence.
The Ministry of Defence signed a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to purchase 97 Tejas Mark-1A light combat aircraft for the Indian Air Force, valued at over ₹62,370 crore ($7B). The order includes 68 fighter jets and 29 twin-seaters, along with associated equipment. Deliveries will begin in 2027-28 and be completed over six years.
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