Fursan Al Emarat is the UAE’s national aerobatic display team, established in 2008 under the visionary leadership of the UAE. Formed from the elite ranks of the UAE Air Force and Air Defense, the team has grown from its founding into a world-class aerobatic force that carries the UAE flag with pride, precision, and grace across the globe.
From their historic inception, flying the legendary Italian-built Aermacchi MB-339, Fursan Al Emarat first displayed publicly at the Dubai Airshow in November 2011. However, in 2025, the team marked a landmark transition, adopting the state-of-the-art Chinese-built L-15E – a fourth-generation fly-by-wire fighter trainer jet that defines the next chapter of Emirati aviation excellence.
Seven elite pilots represent the Seven Emirates of the United Arab Emirates. The team flies in two distinctive paint schemes – black representing the nation’s oil wealth and gold representing the golden deserts of the UAE, both designed by Emirati artists. Fursan Al Emarat is composed of three primary crews: the aircrew of elite pilots, a highly skilled technical engineering crew, and a media, public relations, and logistics team. The engineering team works meticulously behind the scenes, checking every system and completing every pre-flight procedure before the crowd arrives. Ground crew, smoke technicians, crew chiefs, and media specialists work in concert to ensure every performance reaches the highest standards of excellence and safety. The team operates under the command structure of the UAE Air Force and Air Defense and is stationed in Dubai.
The Hongdu L-15E is a fourth-generation advanced jet trainer and light combat aircraft. A fly-by-wire marvel, every pilot input is processed digitally into aerodynamic perfection. Key specifications include:
- Combined maximum thrust: 4,200 kgf per engine
- Maximum service ceiling: 16,000 metres (over 52,000 feet)
- Wingspan: 9.4 metres, engineered for high-alpha maneuvers
- Full fly-by-wire digital flight control system
The L-15E replaced the Aermacchi MB-339 fleet which served the team for its first 15 years. The transition was unveiled at the Dubai Airshow in November 2025, marking the team’s first aircraft change since its formation.
