IndiaPosted at: Sep 20 2026 4:21PM


Suryakiran paints Meerut skies in debut run, draws over 1 lakh spectators

New Delhi, Sep 20 (UNI) The skies over Meerut came alive with a spectacular display of aerial precision as the Indian Air Force’s Suryakiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) performed for the first time in the city on September 19 and 20, drawing more than one lakh spectators over the two days.
The display attracted students, NCC cadets and NSS volunteers, besides a large number of residents, who gathered to witness the nine-aircraft formation executing a series of demanding aerobatic manoeuvres.
The Meerut connection added a special dimension to the event, with three members of the Suryakiran team, including two pilots who took part in the aerobatic display, hailing from the city.
Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth witnessed the performance on Sunday and described it as a demonstration of discipline, precision, teamwork and professionalism that reflected the capabilities of the Indian Air Force.
Seth also highlighted SKAT's three-decade journey, noting that the team has performed at more than 800 air shows in India and abroad.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who commented on the display on its opening day, praised the precision and courage of the pilots, saying their manoeuvres painted the sky in the colours of the Tricolour.
He described the performance as a moment of pride and inspiration for Uttar Pradesh and the country.
Among those who witnessed the aerial show were Rajya Sabha MP Laxmikant Bajpai, Uttar Pradesh Minister of State Somendra Tomar and MLCs Ashwini Tyagi and Dharmendra Bhardwaj.
The Meerut air display came after SKAT completed its 2026 training season. The team showcased its latest formation using nine red-and-white Hawk Mk 132 aircraft, which are licence-manufactured in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
The performance featured a series of high-precision manoeuvres, including loops, barrel rolls, inverted flying and the signature DNA manoeuvre. The aircraft operated in extremely close formation, maintaining a separation of less than five metres during some of the manoeuvres.
A key feature of the display was the coloured smoke generated by smoke pods fitted to the Hawk aircraft. The modification, developed indigenously at the Indian Air Force's Base Repair Depot in Nashik, enables the aircraft to produce saffron, white and green smoke, allowing the team to form the colours of the national flag in the sky.
Established in 1996, Suryakiran is a nine-aircraft aerobatic team and has emerged as one of the prominent aerial display teams associated with the Indian Air Force.
Over the past three decades, the team has conducted more than 800 displays in India and represented the country's air power at international air shows in countries including China, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Singapore and the UAE.
Beyond its aerial displays, SKAT serves as an outreach platform for the Indian Air Force, particularly among young audiences. Its performances showcase the service's emphasis on flying skills, precision, discipline and teamwork while encouraging youth to explore careers in the armed forces. UNI PWS SAS
Tags: #Suryakiran paints Meerut skies in debut run# draws over 1 lakh spectators
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