IAF Jets Set to Roar at Dubai Air Show, Defence Minister to Hold Key Talks

Dubai: Indian Air Force Vice Chief Air Marshal Narmadeshwar Tiwari believes that this year's Dubai Air Show can open new international opportunities for the Tejas light combat aircraft. He says that many foreign defense procurement agencies are now eyeing Tejas, and this time there can be special interest in its capabilities in the show.

Why is India's participation important in Dubai Air Show?

This air show is being held at Al Maktoum Airport from 17 to 21 November. Speaking at the Indian pavilion, Tiwari said India's strong presence is a sign of growing defense cooperation between the two countries. He said that India's relationship with the UAE is not limited to just demonstrations but is also continuously strengthening at the strategic and technical levels.

How was the experience of previous Tejas partnerships?

Tiwari said that this time also the UAE administration has specially called the Tejas and Suryakiran aerobatics teams. Tejas has already participated in the Dubai Air Show, and at that time the audience, along with defense experts, had shown special interest in its display. He says the expectations are even higher this year, as visitors from around the world will want to see the new versions of Tejas and its flying capabilities up close.

What message does the Indian Air Force's plan to buy 200 Tejas send?

According to the Deputy Chief, the Indian Air Force is preparing to buy about 200 Tejas aircraft. This will be considered a major investment by the Air Force of any country for domestic fighter aircraft. According to him, this step will increase global confidence in India's defense production capacity, and foreign buyers will see it as a stable and reliable platform.

Why is Dubai Air Show considered such a big platform?

The Dubai Air Show takes place every two years and is counted among the world's main aerospace events. Representatives from 150 countries, more than 1,500 exhibitors, and approximately 1.5 lakh industry experts are present here. Leading companies like Airbus, Lockheed Martin, Dassault, Thales, Embraer, and Bombardier present their latest aircraft and technology. In such an environment, the performance of Tejas highlights the strength of India's emerging aviation industry to the world.