Spectators at Aero India 2025 may miss the Sarang Aerobatic Display as the Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) fleet, comprising 330 helicopters, has been grounded since January after multiple recent crashes.
Experts have raised concerns about the operational reliability of the ALH choppers, and the entire fleet has been grounded for more than a month following a crash in January that killed three crew members.
The Army, Navy, Air Force, and other paramilitary services have not been undertaking ALH operations, despite Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) having conducted extensive safety reviews and implemented corrective measures.
A source has indicated that, as of now, the Sarang team will not be participating in Aero India, scheduled for February 10-14 in Bengaluru.
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.
The two incidents in 2023 included a crash in Jammu and Kashmir in March that killed two pilots and a technician, and a Navy Dhruv making an emergency landing off the Mumbai coast in May due to sudden power loss. All three crew members were rescued.
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.
While HAL had initiated significant safety upgrades, including replacing aluminium control rods with steel since 2023, the repeated crashes have sparked serious concerns.
Sources aware of the situation told India Today that rectification can only be done after the cause of the recent crash is determined through the inquiry.
According to the sources, “The investigation is still underway, and nothing can be said about the timelines for resumption until the actual reason is known.” HAL has not responded to the queries regarding the whole issue so far.