Suryakiran Aerobatic Team makes debut over Meerut, draws more than one lakh spectators
The nine-aircraft team flew its signature manoeuvres in close formation over Meerut, with the indigenous smoke-pod modification enabling the Hawk Mk 132 aircraft to paint the Tricolour across the sky.
MoS Defence Sanjay Seth witnessed the display on September 20 and described it as a demonstration of discipline, precision, teamwork and professionalism.
MEERUT: The Suryakiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) of the Indian Air Force took to the skies over Meerut for the first time on September 19 and 20, drawing more than one lakh spectators over two days for a display of precision flying, coordination and aerobatic skill.
The audience included students, National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets and National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers. The event also had a strong local connection, with three members of the SKAT team, including two of the pilots who performed the aerobatics, hailing from Meerut.
MoS Defence Sanjay Seth witnessed the display on September 20 and described it as a demonstration of discipline, precision, teamwork and professionalism. He also highlighted SKAT’s three-decade journey and more than 800 airshows in India and abroad.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who witnessed the first day’s display, praised the precision and courage of the pilots and described the Tricolour formations in the sky as a proud and inspiring moment.
Other dignitaries present included Rajya Sabha MP Laxmikant Bajpai, Uttar Pradesh Minister of State Somendra Tomar and Legislative Council members Ashwini Tyagi and Dharmendra Bhardwaj.
Nine Hawks paint the sky
Fresh from completing its 2026 training season, SKAT unveiled its latest formation during the Meerut air display.
The team flew nine red-and-white Hawk Mk 132 aircraft, licence-manufactured in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
The display featured a series of demanding aerobatic manoeuvres, including loops, barrel rolls, inverted flying and the iconic DNA manoeuvre. The formations demonstrated the precision and coordination required to fly multiple aircraft through complex sequences.
The aircraft operate at extremely close distances of less than five metres from one another during some manoeuvres, making discipline, flying skills and mutual trust critical to the team’s performance.
Indigenous modification adds the Tricolour
A notable feature of the Meerut display was the coloured smoke generated by the Hawk aircraft.
The aircraft have undergone an indigenous modification involving the integration of smoke pods capable of producing coloured smoke. The modification was developed in India at the Indian Air Force’s Base Repair Depot in Nashik.
The system enables the aircraft to produce saffron, white and green smoke, allowing SKAT formations to recreate the colours of the national flag during their displays.
The modification adds a visual dimension to the team’s aerobatic performances while highlighting the indigenous engineering capability supporting the aircraft.
Three decades of Suryakiran
Established in 1996, Suryakiran is described by the Indian Air Force as the only nine-aircraft aerobatic team in Asia and one of the select few such teams globally.
Over its three-decade journey, SKAT has conducted more than 800 air displays across India and represented the Indian Air Force at international air shows in countries including China, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Singapore and the UAE, besides Dubai.
Beyond its role as an aerobatic formation, the team serves as an “Ambassador of the Indian Air Force”, showcasing the Service’s emphasis on professionalism, precision, discipline and dedication.
Its public displays also seek to introduce young audiences to the capabilities and ethos of the Indian Air Force and encourage them to consider careers in the Defence Forces.
The Meerut debut added another chapter to that outreach, with more than one lakh people turning out to witness the team and several members of the formation having a direct connection with the city.
