Is the Ministry of Defence Addressing 'Fake' News About LCA Tejas at Dubai Air Show?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The Ministry of Defence addressed false claims about the LCA Tejas.
- Standard procedures were misrepresented as oil leaks.
- The Dubai Air Show 2025 showcased India's defense capabilities.
- Minister Sanjay Seth emphasized international defense collaboration.
- Public trust relies on accurate communications in defense matters.
New Delhi, Nov 20 (NationPress) In a strong condemnation of misleading information, the Ministry of Defence on Thursday released a fact-check regarding “false” videos and messages circulating on social media that claim there was an “oil leakage” from the Indian LCA Tejas during the recently concluded Dubai Air Show 2025.
The Ministry asserted, “These misleading narratives are being intentionally propagated by certain accounts to tarnish the fighter’s established technical reliability through unfounded claims.”
In a direct response shared on X, the Ministry stated, “Numerous accounts are disseminating videos alleging that at the #DubaiAirshow 2025, the Indian LCA #Tejas Mk1 experienced an oil leakage… These assertions are #Fake.”
“The footage depicts the normal and deliberate draining of condensed water from the aircraft's Environmental Control System (ECS) and On-Board Oxygen Generating System (OBOGS),” explained the Ministry.
This procedure is standard for aircraft operating in humid environments, such as those in Dubai, according to the MoD, which also shared images from social media that showcased the false claims regarding the Tejas.
Previously, India exhibited a wide array of its defence and aerospace capabilities at the Dubai Air Show 2025 from November 17-18.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) participated with performances by the Suryakiran Aerobatic Team and showcased the indigenous LCA Tejas.
Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth led the Indian delegation at the event, which commenced on Monday in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The Indian delegation comprised senior officials from the Defence Ministry, the Department of Defence Production, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and the Armed Forces.
During the exhibition, Minister Seth conducted a bilateral meeting with his UAE counterpart to explore opportunities for enhanced defence collaboration.
He also chaired an industry roundtable featuring around 50 companies from India, the UAE, Australia, the US, Brazil, the UK, and Italy, focusing on advancing defence technology cooperation and expanding manufacturing opportunities in India.
Minister Seth inaugurated the India Pavilion, which showcased displays by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, DRDO, Corel Technologies, Dantal Hydraulics, Image Synergy Ekxplor, and SFO Technologies.
Additionally, 19 Indian companies, including Bharat Forge, BrahMos, Tech Mahindra, and HBL Engineering, set up independent booths, while 15 Indian startups showcased their innovations and products.
The Dubai Air Show, held biennially and recognized as one of the world’s key aerospace events, attracts over 1,500 exhibitors and more than 148,000 industry professionals from 150 countries, featuring prominent global players like Bombardier, Dassault Aviation, Embraer, Thales, Airbus, Lockheed Martin, and Calidus.