States » NorthPosted at: Oct 25 2026 8:20PM


UP: Indian Air Force displays spectacular air power at grand air show "Wings Over Ganga" over skies of Kashi

Varanasi, Oct 25 (UNI) The spiritual city of Kashi today witnessed the valour, courage, technical prowess, and professionalism of the Indian Air Force (IAF) through the swift speed of the Rafale, the aggressive flight of the Sukhoi, the astonishing aerial feats of the indigenous Tejas, and the artistic designs etched into the sky by the Suryakiran Aerobatic Team.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath witnessed a spectacular display of air power at the grand air show "Wings Over Ganga" held over the Ganga river and the historic ghats of Kashi in afternoon, marking the 94th anniversary of the Indian Air Force.
This historic event showcased an impressive confluence of military aviation heritage, modern combat capabilities, indigenous technology, and the air warriors' dedication to national security. As the roar of aircraft echoed through the skies of Kashi, spectators on both banks of the Ganges were transfixed. The excitement grew with each formation, and thunderous applause followed each feat, hailing the courage and skill of the air warriors. This was not merely a display of aircraft flight, but a lively presentation of the IAF's journey of operational capability, combat readiness, precision strike capability, and technological advancement over changing times.
The event began with a display by the IAF's renowned Sarang helicopter display team. The helicopters' precise coordination, controlled speed, and coordinated aerial manoeuvres mesmerized the audience. PM Modi was then welcomed and felicitated by the Chief of the Air Staff and all the air warriors of the IAF. The Chief of the Air Staff presented the Prime Minister with a memento on this historic occasion. The ceremony highlighted the spirit of duty, sacrifice, and service to the nation by linking the IAF's 94 glorious years of journey with the spiritual heritage of Kashi.
The next phase of the flypast saw the entry of the 'Omkar' formation of three Mi-17 V5 helicopters. Led by Group Captain Anuj Gupta, the helicopters flew the national flag and the Indian Air Force flag. Named after the sacred 'Omkar' symbol associated with Lord Shiva, this formation represented a blend of patriotism and spiritual fervor. Following this, the 'Ganga' formation of three Chetak helicopters, led by Group Captain Dipankar Das, entered the skies of Kashi. A floral shower was performed to express reverence and respect to Mother Ganga. This scene, created between the flowers showering from the sky and the flowing Ganga below, was one of the most emotional moments of the ceremony.
The powerful Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft of the IAF roared in the sky. With the call sign 'Rudra', the aircraft, commanded by Wing Commander S. Bhargava, made their presence felt. The Sukhoi-30 MKI's aerial surveillance and reconnaissance skills were also demonstrated. Squadron Leader Nikhil Babu, with the call sign 'Shankar', showcased the Air Force's Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities using electro-optical systems. The 'Bhagirathi' formation then showcased the precise coordination of Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) and US-origin Apache attack helicopters. Led by Group Captain Anubhav Mahendra, the formation demonstrated the role and operational utility of helicopters in the modern battlefield.
The 'Tridev' formation showcased the joint resolve of the three services. The joint display of the Indian Navy's Kamov-31 helicopters and the ALH Mark-3 helicopters of the Indian Air Force and Army symbolized the coordination and joint operational capability between the military services. Led by Captain Divyendu Sharma of the Indian Navy, the display carried a common message: three services, one mission, and one nation. The 'Alaknanda' formation, with Sukhoi and ALH helicopters, impressed the audience with their coordinated flight. The formation, led by Group Captain Harsh Pandey, demonstrated joint operational capability and disciplined flying skills.
To mark the 94th anniversary of the IAF, the number '94' was displayed in the sky from the rear ramp of a helicopter, accompanied by a special anniversary banner. This spectacle served as a testament to the 94 years of courage, sacrifice, achievements, and steadfast service to the nation by the Air Force. The display underscored that military aviation relies not merely on raw power, but equally on the precision, rigorous training, and seamless coordination of its pilots.
Following this, C-295 and Dornier-228 aircraft appeared in the 'Bhairav' formation. Led by Wing Commander Animesh Lamba, this display showcased the IAF's transport capabilities, multi-role utility, and precision formation flying. Named after Baba Kalbhairav—the guardian deity of Kashi—this formation symbolized vigilance, reliability, and security within the realm of military aviation.
In the 'Kailash' formation, C-130 and An-32 aircraft demonstrated their airlift capabilities and coordinated flight. This was followed by the 'Trilochan' formation, featuring an Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft alongside MiG-29 fighter jets. This combination highlights the critical importance of long-range surveillance, threat assessment, and the provision of vital tactical data to combat aircraft during modern aerial operations.
The 'Natraj' formation showcased the Indian Navy's P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft flying alongside the Indian Air Force's Mirage-2000 fighter jets. Subsequently, the 'Mahadev' formation featured an Il-78 aerial refuelling tanker accompanied by Mirage-2000 fighters. The capability for mid-air refuelling serves as a cornerstone of modern aerial operations, as it significantly extends the operational reach of combat aircraft and enhances their mission-completion capacity.
Keeping in mind the spiritual identity of Kashi, the formations were given distinct names. The 'Vishwanath' formation consisted of three powerful Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jets. Led by Wing Commander Ayush Kunal, these aircraft showcased their speed, power, and precision-flying skills in the sky. This was followed by the 'Pashupati' formation, comprising four Jaguar fighter jets flying in a diamond configuration. Under the leadership of Group Captain Mayank Pawar, the precise spacing, discipline, and coordination among the aircraft left the audience impressed. Since the primary role of the Jaguar is to strike ground targets, this formation served as a symbol of the Air Force's strike capability.
The 'Neelkanth' formation, featuring three Rafale fighter jets, demonstrated state-of-the-art combat aviation power. Led by Wing Commander Kaustubh Nalawade, the aircraft—flying in a wing formation—showcased advanced avionics, high operational capability, and seamless coordination. Next came the 'Prachand' formation, which featured a combined display of various fighter jets, including the Sukhoi-30 MKI, Rafale, Jaguar, Mirage-2000, LCA Tejas, and MiG-29. The convergence of these aircraft—representing different generations and operational roles—highlighted the IAF's multi-dimensional combat prowess and its readiness to execute missions under diverse conditions.
The most captivating and technically significant segment of the air show was the solo performance by the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas. Developed through the collaboration of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Indian private sector, the aircraft served as an impressive testament to the defence technology of an 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India). Led by Group Captain Roop, the Tejas demonstrated remarkable agility, control, and flying prowess in the skies over Kashi. The Tejas began with a four-point roll, demonstrating precision as the aircraft executed controlled rotations along its longitudinal axis. This was followed by manoeuvres such as the vertical pitch-back, maximum-rate turn, and 'red-eye' turn, which thrilled the audience.
These manoeuvres showcased the aircraft's ability to change direction, execute sharp turns, and maintain control under challenging conditions. The Tejas then performed stunts like the 'Vertical Charlie' and the 'Formula One turn.' A 'slow march'—a demonstration of controlled flight at low speed—highlighted that a fighter jet's capability is not limited to high-speed performance; precise control across various speeds and conditions is equally vital.
The Tejas' display concluded with a 'Spiderman farewell,' where the aircraft greeted the crowd while flying inverted, drawing thunderous applause from both banks of the Ganges. Beyond mere aerial acrobatics, the Tejas' performance served as a testament to indigenous aerospace engineering, technical self-reliance, and the growing prowess of the nation's home-grown defence systems.
Following the Tejas, formations of Mirage-2000, Sukhoi-30 MKI, and Rafale aircraft took to the skies. Flying in formations dubbed 'Mahadev,' 'Vishwanath,' and 'Neelkanth,' the jets executed maneuvers such as the 'aerial split.' The precise timing and spacing with which the aircraft broke away in different directions underscored the pilots' discipline, mutual coordination, and high level of training. The display then transitioned into a simulated aerial combat scenario: two Jaguar aircraft were tasked with striking a ground target, while two Sukhoi jets acted to intercept them and neutralize the 'enemy' aircraft.
This dramatic demonstration of radar-based identification, pursuit, and interception highlighted the complexity of modern air warfare and the importance of quick decision-making in air defence. The demonstration allowed the audience to understand that aircraft speed and weapons alone are not decisive factors in aerial combat. Pilot training, target identification, tactical situation assessment, sensor information, and timely decision-making are equally important.
The demonstration also highlighted the modern weapon systems equipped with various fighter aircraft. Reference was made to the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile equipped with the Sukhoi-30 MKI, the Scalp equipped with the Rafale, the Sensor Fuzed Weapon equipped with the Jaguar, the Crystal Maze equipped with the Mirage-2000, and the Beyond Visual Range missiles equipped with the Tejas and MiG-29. These systems demonstrate the IAF's ability to operate against a variety of targets. Long-range precision strikes, ground attacks, air superiority, and target identification using advanced sensors are all critical dimensions of modern air operations. Operation Balakot and Operation Sindoor were also mentioned during the programme. These operations showcased the Air Force's precision strike capability, operational readiness, and resolve to act under challenging circumstances.
The final phase of the air show saw the presence of the C-17 Globemaster and Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team add a new dimension to the event. The Surya Kiran team's performance, accompanied by a massive C-17 Globemaster in a formation with the call sign "Dashashwamedh," symbolized the confluence of Kashi's cultural heritage and modern air power. This formation, named after the Dashashwamedh Ghat, simultaneously demonstrated the local and national significance of the event.
The Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team then performed a series of thrilling aerial stunts. A team of nine Hawk aircraft, led by Group Captain Ajay Dashrath, mesmerized the audience with their disciplined and coordinated flight. Flying in unison, the aircraft changed formations, formed different formations, and performed aerobatics with precise coordination at very close range. The team performed a Tejas-dedicated formation, Vijay Formation, Flower and Barrel Roll. The visuals of one aircraft separating from the formation and later rejoining the formation added to the excitement. The audience applauded continuously as the aircraft simultaneously changed direction, rolled and formed symmetrical formations in the sky. The Surya Kiran team's performance was a testament to the fact that aerobatics is not just entertainment but also a test of the pilots' exceptional confidence, concentration, flying discipline and mutual trust. The team's precision showcased the training and professional excellence of the Indian Air Force.
UNI MBD SS
Tags: #UP: Indian Air Force displays spectacular air power at grand air show "Wings Over Ganga" over skies of Kashi
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