With HAL Dhruv helicopters grounded, no Sarang participation in Aero India 2025

Bengaluru: In this year’s Aero India show, the Indian Air Force’s premier display team Sarang is not participating, as all 330 Dhruv advanced light helicopters, or the ALH Dhruv, designed and developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) have been grounded following a crash reported in January.

Experts have raised concerns about the operational reliability of the ALH choppers.

The Armed Forces and paramilitary services have not been undertaking ALH operations, despite Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) having conducted extensive safety reviews and implemented corrective measures.

On January 5, an Indian Coast Guard ALH Dhruv Mk III crashed during a training sortie at Porbandar Airport in Gujarat. Three crew members died after the helicopter caught fire during take-off. This was the second crash involving the Coast Guard fleet within two years.

In October 2024, an Air Force ALH chopper made a forced landing in a swamp in Bihar during flood relief operations due to engine failure. All four crew members were safely rescued.

Another incident occurred in September 2024, when a Coast Guard ALH Dhruv Mk III crashed into the Arabian Sea during a medical evacuation mission, killing two, with one crew member still missing.

Following the enquiries, many of the crashes have been linked to technical malfunctions, particularly with engine failures and the durability of aluminium booster control rods in earlier models. These components have been prone to wear and tear, leading to operational failures in critical situations.

The Sarang display team, known for its breathtaking manoeuvres, has been one of the prime attractions at Aero India, a biennial air show held in Bengaluru.

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