HAL assures Tejas fighter jet's safety after Dubai crash
After a tragic Tejas Mark-1 crash at the Dubai Airshow that claimed the life of Wing Commander Namansh Syal, HAL Chairman D K Sunil stepped up to reassure everyone:
"There is absolutely no problem with the Tejas, it is absolutely safe, and its safety record is the best in the world."
He called the crash an unfortunate incident and stressed it won't derail India's progress with this homegrown 4.5 generation fighter.
What led to the crash?
The Tejas went down during a risky low-altitude maneuver when the pilot couldn't recover in time.
This was only the second Tejas crash since joining the Indian Air Force 10 years ago—the first ended safely for its pilot.
The IAF has launched an inquiry to figure out if mechanical issues or pilot error were involved.
What's next for Tejas?
Despite this setback, HAL isn't slowing down on plans to export Tejas jets worldwide.
Sunil says this is part of India's push to become a major player in global aerospace, building on their growing skills and international reach.