IAF’s Sarang display team arrives in Egypt for El Alamein International Airshow 2026
Screengrab from a video of IAF’s Sarang team arriving in Egypt. (Image courtesy: Instagram/sarang_iaf)
New Delhi: Five helicopters of the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Sarang helicopter display team have arrived in Egypt ahead of the El Alamein International Airshow 2026. The five Dhruv helicopters were airlifted from India aboard C-17 Globemaster III aircraft and have now been offloaded at Borg El Arab as the team prepares for its latest international display.
In an Instagram post, the Sarang team shared visuals of the helicopters being loaded at Sulur in Tamil Nadu before their journey to Egypt and subsequent offloading at Borg El Arab. “The Sarangs are officially in Egypt,” the team said, adding that the arrival marked the beginning of its participation in the El Alamein International Airshow 2026.
The Sarang Aerobatic Team operates the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv, a domestically designed and manufactured helicopter developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The team is known for its precision flying, close-formation manoeuvres and coordinated aerial displays, with its five-helicopter fleet forming the centrepiece of its international performances.
The airshow is scheduled to take place from September 8 to 10, 2026, at El Alamein International Airport in Egypt. A dedicated aerospace future technology symposium will be held on September 7 ahead of the three-day airshow.
The Sarang team’s arrival comes as Egypt prepares to host international participants from the aerospace, defence and space sectors. The 2026 edition will feature flying displays, static aircraft exhibitions and an aerospace and defence exhibition, providing participating air forces an opportunity to showcase their platforms and capabilities.
Sarang’s previous Egypt appearance
Sarang’s return to Egypt follows its participation in the first Egyptian International Airshow in 2024. During the 2024 event, the Sarang team was scheduled to showcase its aerial manoeuvres using four helicopters, while the fifth helicopter was retained as a reserve. The deployment marked the team’s first participation in the Egyptian International Airshow.
The Sarang team, known as the “brand ambassador” of the Indian Air Force, combines spectacular performances with an excellent operational record. The team was formed in 2003 and participated internationally for the first time at the Asian Aerospace Show in Singapore in 2004.
The team has performed at several venues around the world. Over the years, its aerial performances have served not only as an attraction at international airshows but also as a showcase of India’s indigenous aviation capabilities.
The Sarang team flies the ALH Mk I, the pioneer variant of the Dhruv family. The embassy of India in Cairo described the Dhruv as an all-weather, multi-mission capable helicopter, while highlighting the platform as a reflection of India’s growing indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities.
The Dhruv’s design and development by HAL also makes the Sarang display a prominent showcase of India’s efforts towards self-reliance in aerospace manufacturing. Through its tightly coordinated formations and aerobatic manoeuvres, the team demonstrates the capabilities of the helicopter before international audiences with its high-skill aerobatic manoeuvres.
