The IAF at Dubai Airshow
The biennial Dubai Air Show was held at the Al Maktoum International Airport from 14-18 November and a large Indian Air Force contingent participated. The IAF had been invited by the Government of UAE to participate with the Sarang and Suryakiran Aerobatics Teams. The IAF’s LCA was also part of the aerobatic and static display during the event.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) Contingent participated at the biennial Dubai Air Show held at the Al Maktoum International Airport from 14-18 November 2021. The IAF had been invited by the Government of UAE to participate with the Sarang and Suryakiran Aerobatics Teams. These teams performed along with some of the best aerobatics and display teams in the world including the Saudi Hawks, Russian Knights and the UAE’s Al Fursan. In addition, the IAF’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas was part of the aerobatics and static displays during the show.
The induction of five Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Dhruvs of the Sarang Team, 10 BAE Hawk 132s of the Suryakiran
Team and the three LCA Tejas was completed a few days before the event and were supported by the IAF’s C-17 Globemaster IIIs and C-130J Super Hercules. On arrival, the contingent received a warm welcome by H. E. Staff Maj Gen Staff Pilot Ishaq Saleh Mohammed al-Balushi of the UAE Armed Forces and other officers of the UAE Air Force.
While the Sarang Team has previously participated in the Al Ain Grand Prix in UAE in 2005, the Dubai Air Show was the first occasion for the Suryakirans and the Tejas to show off their ‘swashbuckling aerial manoeuvres’ at the event.
IAF at Dubai Air Show’s last day
17 November 2021, the penultimate day of the Dubai Air Show 2021 commenced with a fascinating combined flypast by the IAF’s Suryakiran Aerobatics Team and UAE’s Al Fursan Display Team. Nine Hawk-132 of Suryakiran Team flew in sync with seven Aermacchi MB-339 of Al Fursan over important landmarks of Dubai like Burj Khalifa, Palm Jumeirah and Burj Al Arab, in a display which signified the deep camaraderie and bonhomie between the two Air Forces. The Suryakirans also participated in a late afternoon aerobatics display which was highly appreciated by the crowd.
The ever increasing popularity of the Tejas was reinforced by the superb demonstration flights flown everyday. The aircraft manoeuvred effortlessly, showing off its agility and versatility; a testament to the rapid strides that the platform has achieved in recent times.