With Dhruv helicopters grounded, Sarang team’s participation in Aero India 2025 doubtful

Following the caller crashes that forced Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to crushed each Dhruv helicopters, Sarang has not confirmed its participation. The squad did not enactment successful an aerial amusement held connected January 21 and 22 successful Vadodara, Gujarat, arsenic it failed to get clearance. Suryakiran performed astatine the event.

Speaking to indianexpress.com, a root successful the IAF said determination had been nary connection regarding Sarang’s information successful Aero India 2025. “We are waiting for the connection and the squad is ready. However, considering the gravity of the past incidents, it whitethorn instrumentality clip for a broad evaluation,” the root added.

Three deaths successful Gujarat

The past show of Sarang was astatine the Beypore International Water Fest successful Kozhikode connected January 4. The pursuing day, an Indian Coast Guard ALH Dhruv MK III crashed astatine Gujarat’s Porbandar Airport, resulting successful the deaths of 3 unit members. In response, HAL directed the impermanent grounding of each 330 Dhruv helicopters and is conducting a elaborate investigation, including a method reappraisal of the helicopters. A committee has been formed nether Air Marshal Vibhas Pande, a erstwhile main of the Indian Air Force Maintenance Command, to supply inputs connected the attraction of Coast Guard helicopters.

An IAF serviceman said, “Until the investigations are completed and a study with recommendations is submitted, the ALH cannot beryllium flown. We are waiting for the intimation. But adjacent if the Sarang show squad receives a affirmative connection astatine the past minute, they are assured astir participating successful Aero India 2025.”

The precocious airy chopper variant flown by Sarang is the ALH Dhruv MK I. Safety concerns regarding these helicopters person been raised for immoderate time, with a bid of incidents reported. In October past year, an ALH had to marque a forced landing owed to motor nonaccomplishment during Bihar flood alleviation operations. In September, an ALH Dhruv MK III of the Coast Guard crashed into the Arabian Sea during a aesculapian evacuation, resulting successful the deaths of 2 unit onboard.

Sarang was formed successful 2003 and its archetypal planetary nationalist show took spot successful 2004 astatine the Asian Aerospace Show successful Singapore. The team, which began with a three-helicopter formation, has since expanded to 5 helicopters and performed implicit 1,200 displays astatine implicit 385 venues successful India and abroad.

The Dhruv helicopter, designed and conceived by HAL, is an all-weather, multi-mission susceptible helicopter. It features rigid, hingeless rotors, making it highly manoeuvrable and suitable for subject roles.