Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has issued an official clarification after a Tejas fighter jet crashed during an aerial display at the Dubai Air Show last week, leading to the death of the lone Indian Air Force pilot.
In a filing to the stock exchanges, HAL stated that the crash was an “isolated occurrence arising out of exceptional circumstances” and emphasised that the incident does not impact its ongoing operations, financial performance, or future deliveries. The company added that it is fully cooperating with investigating authorities and will continue to update stakeholders on any further developments.
This comes amid heightened scrutiny of the Tejas aircraft programme, as the crash marks the second reported incident involving the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) in less than two years.
Tejas—developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and manufactured by HAL—is a 4.5-generation, single-engine multirole fighter designed to replace India’s ageing MiG-21 fleet. It was inducted into the Indian Air Force in 2015, with the first operational squadron, Flying Daggers (No. 45 Squadron), transitioning from MiG-21 Bisons to Tejas soon after.
Earlier market reaction saw HAL shares decline over 3%, driven by investor concerns following the Dubai Air Show accident. However, the company’s formal statement has attempted to reassure markets that production, delivery timelines, and future commitments remain unaffected.
HAL reiterated its commitment to supporting the investigation and maintaining transparent communication with regulators and stakeholders.
