IAF’s Suryakiran makes maiden aerial display over Meerut
Suryakiran Aerobatic Team Showcases Aerial Skills in Meerut
The Indian Air Force’s Suryakiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) conducted its inaugural aerial display over Meerut on Saturday, featuring a series of intricate formations and aerobatic maneuvers. This two-day event will conclude on Sunday.
Flying nine Hawk Mk 132 aircraft, the team executed loops, barrel rolls, inverted flying, and its signature DNA maneuver, maintaining formations with a separation of less than five meters.
The display included the use of saffron, white, and green smoke trails, created with indigenous smoke pods developed by the IAF’s Base Repair Depot in Nashik, representing the colors of the Indian national flag in the sky.
Established in 1996, SKAT is recognized as Asia’s only nine-aircraft aerobatic team, having performed over 800 displays both domestically and internationally, according to IAF sources.
Group Captain Ajay Dasarathi led the team, which also engaged with defense aspirants during the event, emphasizing the discipline, teamwork, and precision essential for aerobatic flying. Squadron Leader Tushar Sharma commented, “Through this exercise, we hope to motivate the youth of the historic land of Meerut to join the men and women in blue of the armed forces. The city has given us a great response in this regard.”