The Indian Air Force (IAF) mourned the tragic loss of Wing Commander Namansh Syal, who died in a crash of the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas during an aerial display at the Dubai Air Show. The crash occurred shortly after take-off, resulting in a devastating fireball and black smoke billowing from the scene, witnessed by a large crowd. Indian Ambassador to the UAE, Deepak Mittal, along with Consul General Satish Sivan, paid their respects to Syal, whose remains were transported back to India on a special IAF flight, accompanied by a ceremonial guard of honour from the Emirati Defence Forces. The IAF expressed its deep sorrow over the incident and announced the establishment of a court of inquiry to investigate the cause of the accident, which marks the second mishap involving the Tejas in less than two years. This incident not only underscores the inherent risks faced by pilots during high-stakes demonstrations but also reflects the growing international presence and recognition of India’s indigenous defense capabilities, further amplifying the significance of the Tejas program on the global stage.