1 hour ago
Last Updated:November 23, 2025, 16:14 IST
The highly skilled Russian formation team dedicated their full routine to the late pilot, calling him a “brother in the skies”
Wing Commander Namansh Syal, the Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot who lost his life after a Tejas fighter jet crashed during its display at the Dubai Air Show Friday.
The Russian Knights aerobatic team paid a heartfelt tribute to Wing Commander Namansh Syal, the Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot who lost his life after a Tejas fighter jet crashed during its display at the Dubai Air Show. The highly skilled Russian formation team dedicated their full routine to the late pilot, calling him a “brother in the skies".
A member of the Russian Knights, speaking after their performance, said the minutes following the crash were “impossible to describe".
The member further added that the team chose to continue their show in honour of pilots “who do not return from their final flight."
⚡ Russian Aerobatic Team Pays Tribute to Wg Cdr Namansh Syal at Dubai Airshow 2025:The Russian Knights aerobatic team has honoured Wing Commander Namansh Syal, the Indian Air Force pilot who tragically lost his life after the Tejas crashed during its display at the Dubai… pic.twitter.com/62INZRohXD
— OSINT Updates (@OsintUpdates) November 23, 2025
The tragedy happened on Friday when the Tejas, India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft, went down during a planned demonstration. The jet reportedly lost height while performing a low-level negative-G manoeuvre and plunged into the ground within seconds, erupting into a fireball.
Thick black smoke rose over Al Maktoum Airport at Dubai World Central as stunned onlookers — including families gathered in the grandstand area — watched the accident in shock.
Wing Commander Namansh Syal, believed to be in his mid-30s and originally from Himachal Pradesh, was the sole occupant of the aircraft. He had taken off for an eight-minute display slot when the crash occurred at around 2:10 pm local time (3:40 pm IST). Despite immediate emergency response, he could not be saved.
This was the second accident involving a Tejas aircraft in under two years. The previous incident took place on 12 March 2024, when another Tejas crashed near a residential area in Jaisalmer after returning from the tri-services exercise ‘Bharat Shakti’. That event marked the first crash of the homegrown fighter since its maiden flight in 2001.
(With inputs from agencies)
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d...Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d...
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First Published:
November 23, 2025, 16:14 IST
News world Russian Aerobatic Team Pays Tribute To Fallen IAF Wing Commander At Dubai Air Show | Video
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