A Tejas fighter jet, developed under India’s indigenous defense program, crashed during the Dubai Airshow, sparking renewed scrutiny over the safety and cost-effectiveness of the project. The aircraft, jointly developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Aeronautical Development Agency, is a flagship of the 'Make in India' initiative. India had earlier signed a $6.5 billion deal in 2021 for 83 Tejas Mk-1A jets, with each priced around $43 million. However, a new 2025 order for 97 additional jets is valued at $7.8 billion, raising the per-unit cost to nearly $80 million due to inflation, technical upgrades, and higher production costs. HAL has been aggressively marketing the Tejas for export, estimating a potential price of $43 million per unit internationally. Analysts warn that the Dubai crash could dampen foreign interest and force India to address both safety and financial concerns as it pursues defense modernization and export ambitions.