Pakistan Rattled as India’s LCA Tejas Impresses at Dubai Airshow

India’s Tejas Aircraft Display Stirs Controversy at Dubai Airshow

India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas made waves at the Dubai Airshow 2025, drawing attention from international defense delegations and triggering a short-lived misinformation campaign about its performance.

The indigenous fighter jet’s aerial display demonstrated its agility and advanced 4.5-generation capabilities, showcasing India’s growing aerospace engineering prowess. However, shortly after the demonstration, social media channels began circulating videos and images purportedly showing an “oil leak right on the tarmac” from the Tejas, claiming Indian Air Force technicians had resorted to using “shopping bags to plug the spill like a roadside fix.”

Aviation experts quickly debunked these claims, explaining that the liquid observed dripping from the aircraft was simply condensed water—a normal byproduct of the aircraft’s Environmental Control System (ECS). This system takes high-temperature air from the engine, cools it for cockpit air conditioning, and naturally produces condensation that drains from the aircraft.

“What was misrepresented as an emergency repair was actually standard operational procedure,” explained an aerospace engineer familiar with modern fighter systems. “Ground crews routinely collect this water on clean aprons during airshows as a matter of operational tidiness, not because of any mechanical failure.”

The successful and flawless performance of the Tejas immediately following the incident served as definitive evidence against the false narratives being spread.

The Tejas, designed and developed by India’s Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), represents a significant milestone in India’s “Make in India” defense initiative. Its appearance at the prestigious Dubai Airshow aligns with India’s strategic push to establish itself as a credible defense exporter, particularly targeting markets in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

Defense analysts note that the aircraft’s participation in international exhibitions like Dubai reflects India’s growing confidence in its indigenous defense manufacturing capabilities, which have expanded considerably over the past decade.

“The Tejas program has overcome significant development challenges to emerge as a capable platform that meets international standards,” said a defense analyst who requested anonymity. “Its presence at Dubai signals India’s readiness to compete in the global defense marketplace against established players.”

The LCA Tejas distinguishes itself as one of the lightest and smallest supersonic jets globally, featuring a tailless compound delta-wing design that provides exceptional agility. The aircraft incorporates advanced systems including a Quadruplex Fly-By-Wire control system, an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar in its Mk1A variant, and a modern “glass cockpit” with Head-Up Display.

With nine hardpoints capable of carrying up to 5,300 kg of weapons—including beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles like the indigenous Astra, precision-guided munitions, and a 23mm cannon—the Tejas is designed for versatile mission profiles ranging from air superiority to ground attack operations.

The aircraft’s development journey spans over three decades, representing one of India’s most ambitious and technologically complex defense projects. While the program faced delays and technical challenges, the operational induction of the Tejas has bolstered India’s domestic aerospace ecosystem and reduced dependency on foreign suppliers.

India’s defense establishment views the Tejas not just as a military asset but as a technology demonstrator that has helped create expertise in critical areas like composite manufacturing, avionics integration, and flight control systems—capabilities that will support future indigenous aircraft development programs.

As the Dubai Airshow continues, the Tejas remains a centerpiece of India’s exhibition, drawing attention from potential customers and affirming the country’s growing status in the global defense industry.