Special Report: Fatal Tejas Crash At Airshow Raises Questions On IAF's Future Backbone

This special report discusses the recent fatal crash of an indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft at the Dubai Airshow, the second such incident involving the jet. Host Gaurav Sawant is joined by Air Marshal Anil Chopra (Retd), Air Marshal Anil Kapoor (Retd), and Executive Editor Sandeep Unnithan to analyse the crash and its implications for the Indian Air Force, which plans to induct over 220 Tejas jets as its future backbone. Air Marshal Kapoor states, 'to happen, you know, in front of the world, you know, media and presence at an international space would, you know, be putting, you know, fodder into their mouths to, you know, start putting out wrong things on the social media.' The discussion covers the Tejas's otherwise excellent safety record over 23 years of flying and the potential causes of the crash, though the experts caution against speculation pending a court of inquiry. The programme explores the impact of the incident on the reputation of the aircraft, which is set to replace the IAF's aging MiG-21 fleet, and reaffirms the nation's commitment to the indigenous fighter programme despite this tragic event.