Meerut: The Indian Air Force’s Suryakiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) made its debut over Meerut on September 19 and 20, drawing more than one lakh spectators over two days for a series of high-precision aerial manoeuvres.
Students, National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets and National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers were among those who gathered to watch the nine-aircraft formation perform over the city.
The event also had a local connection, with three members of the SKAT team, including two pilots who participated in the aerobatic display, hailing from Meerut.
Minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth witnessed the display on September 20. In a post on X, he described the performance as a demonstration of discipline, precision, teamwork and professionalism.
Seth also highlighted SKAT’s three-decade journey and its record of conducting more than 800 air displays in India and abroad.
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, who witnessed the first day’s display, also posted on X praising the pilots’ precision and courage. He described the spectacle, including the aircraft forming patterns in the colours of the Tricolour, as an inspiring moment.
Rajya Sabha MP Laxmikant Bajpai, Uttar Pradesh minister of state Somendra Tomar and MLCs Ashwini Tyagi and Dharmendra Bhardwaj were among the other dignitaries present.
Nine Hawk aircraft take to the skies
The Meerut show came after SKAT completed its 2026 training season. The team flew nine red-and-white Hawk Mk 132 aircraft, manufactured under licence in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
The display featured manoeuvres including loops, barrel rolls, inverted flying and the team’s signature DNA formation.
During some manoeuvres, the aircraft fly at distances of less than five metres from each other, requiring close coordination between pilots.
The Hawk Mk 132 aircraft have also been fitted with indigenously developed smoke pods capable of producing saffron, white and green smoke. The modification was carried out at the Indian Air Force’s Base Repair Depot in Nashik.
SKAT’s three-decade journey
Established in 1996, SKAT is described by the Indian Air Force as Asia’s only nine-aircraft aerobatic team and one of the few teams of its kind globally.
Over the past three decades, the team has conducted more than 800 displays in India and participated in international air shows in countries including China, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Singapore and the UAE.
The team is also used by the IAF for outreach, with its performances aimed at showcasing the service’s aviation capabilities and encouraging young people to consider careers in the armed forces.