Indian Media Blames US for Tejas Aircraft Crash

Indian media has once again shifted the blame for the Tejas aircraft accident onto the United States, trying to hide India’s own shortcomings.

Retired General Bakhshi and journalist Arnab Goswami claimed that the accident was caused by the American engine used in Tejas, attempting to cover up weaknesses in India’s defense system.

Arnab Goswami said that delays in the supply of GE 404 engines from the US created serious gaps in India’s defense readiness. He added that Tejas runs on engines made by General Electric, which has never been a true friend of India. According to him, the US has slowed the delivery of next-generation engines for Tejas and views the LCA program as a threat.

General Bakhshi warned that it is uncertain when another incident could happen. He said that the GE 404 engines should have been delivered two years ago, and India has already paid $1 billion in cash, but so far only two engines have been received.

Critics say that the Indian government and its media, by focusing on blaming the US, not only mislead the public but also divert attention from real issues.

Blaming America has proven ineffective, as the Tejas accident clearly reflects failures in India’s defense industry and highlights the risks of political and economic decisions driven by personal interests.

Earlier, India’s grand attempt to showcase its “Atmanirbhar” (self-reliant) military power at the Dubai Airshow ended in humiliation when a Tejas fighter jet crashed during its demonstration flight. The incident, witnessed by international delegations, raised serious questions about India’s aviation standards, defence procurement practices, and the credibility of its long-promoted indigenous defence program.

A Crash That Exposed the Reality Behind India’s Claims

The Tejas crash instantly demolished decades of inflated claims, political theatrics, and media-driven defence propaganda. Within seconds, everything India tried to project — advanced technology, local engineering prowess, and modern combat readiness — fell apart as the aircraft went down in front of global spectators.

India’s massive $83 billion defence budget, often celebrated as a symbol of military transformation, could not prevent a failure that ended up scattered across the runway in the form of twisted metal.

A System Rotting From Within

This was not merely the crash of a fighter jet — it was the exposure of deeper systemic vulnerabilities inside India’s military and defence institutions.

What India showcased as a “flagship indigenous achievement” instead highlighted:

• Institutional decay

• Poor engineering oversight

• Compromised safety protocols

• Lack of accountability

• Political interference in defence procurement

A recent U.S. Congressional report had already raised concerns about corruption and non-transparent defence deals inside India. The Dubai crash turned those warnings into a live demonstration.

Warnings Ignored: Visible Faults Before Takeoff

Reports and pre-flight images circulating on social media showed signs of fuel leakage and structural weaknesses in the Tejas aircraft. Despite this, Indian authorities insisted on flying it — prioritizing optics and political image-building over safety and authenticity.

This decision reflects a wider mindset within India’s defence administration, where bureaucratic pride and propaganda outweigh professional caution.

A Failed Attempt at Showcasing “Military Renaissance”

India arrived at the Dubai Airshow with the goal of impressing global defence buyers and projecting the Tejas as a symbol of its strategic rise. Instead, the crash exposed chronic weaknesses across:

• Engineering and testing processes

• Command decision-making

• Technical reliability

• Training and quality assurance

What was meant to be a symbol of military advancement ended up becoming a global embarrassment.

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