By Raju Vernekar
Mumbai, Nov 14:
An aircraft contingent of IAF, including its Sarang and Suryakiran aerobatics team, has reached Dubai to participate in the Dubai Air Show being held in Dubai from Sunday onwards.
The AIF contingent is participating in the air show which will be on till November 18, 2021. The Dubai Air show takes place at its purpose-built venue at DWC, Dubai Airshow site, easily accessible from Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The show will be held daily from 2 pm onwards.
The IAF has been invited by the UAE government to perform 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.
Five Dhruvs, the advanced light helicopters (ALH) of the Sarang Team, 10 BAE Hawk 132 aircraft of the Suryakiran Team, and three LCA Tejas aircraft were inducted at the Dubai Air Show on November 09, 2021, the official said adding that the induction was supported by the IAF’s C-17 Globemaster IIIs and C-130J Super Hercules.
On reaching Dubai, the IAF contingent was received with a warm welcome by Major General 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, Suryakirans and the Tejas will be showing off their swashbuckling aerial manoeuvres for the first time in the gulf nation. Tejas will showcase its superior flying ability, manoeuvrability and ease of handling against the golden backdrop.
The biennial airshow is held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in cooperation with Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Dubai Airports, Dubai World Central.
This year’s edition have exhibitors from over 20 countries. There will be a display of private, military and commercial jets, including the latest Bombardier’s Global 7500, Boeing 777x, will be on display. Canadian, French, German, The Netherlands, Russian, Swiss, Turkish, UK, Ukrainian and US Pavilions are part of the show.
Leading airports, aircraft operators and defence organisations are exhibiting their products. The show offers opportunity to key decision-makers from business units like AI, Machine Learning, Data Science/Management, Digital Transformation, IT, Infrastructure & Operations, Innovation, Network, Communication and Research & Development. The show focuses on the future of transport, sustainability, start ups and emerging technologies.
