Suryakiran’s Meerut Debut Nine Hawk Jets Deliver 30-Minute Sky Spectacle

The Indian Air Force’s Suryakiran Aerobatic Team made its first-ever appearance in Meerut on Sunday, with nine Hawk Mk-132 aircraft performing a 30-minute aerial display at the New Integrated Township.

The team flew from Hindon Air Base in Ghaziabad for the second day of the two-day air show. The aircraft performed loops, barrel rolls, inverted flying and the signature DNA formation. During the display, the nine aircraft also formed a heart shape and created the colours of the national flag with saffron, white and green smoke trails.

The aircraft flew at an altitude of around 100 feet, according to organisers. During some manoeuvres, the planes flew less than five metres apart.

Around one lakh people witnessed the second-day display, organisers said. The event attracted students, NCC cadets, NSS volunteers and families. However, a traffic jam stretching around two kilometres prevented some spectators from reaching the venue, leaving them to watch the aerial display from roadsides at the Meerut venue.

Three members of the Suryakiran team are from Meerut. Squadron Leaders Aman Goyal and Rahul Singh, both from the city, took part in the aerial display, while Squadron Leader Sharad Goyal coordinated the show from the ground.

The Suryakiran Aerobatic Team was established in 1996 and is the Indian Air Force’s nine-aircraft aerobatic team. It has performed at more than 800 air shows in India and abroad, including in China, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Singapore and the UAE.

The team marked its 30th anniversary earlier this year at Air Force Station Bidar in Karnataka. The team flies Hawk Mk-132 aircraft in a red-and-white livery.

Defence Minister of State Sanjay Seth, who witnessed the display for the second consecutive day, said India’s defence production and exports had increased significantly over the past decade. He said the air show could encourage youngsters in Meerut to consider joining the armed forces.

The two-day air show was held for the first time in Meerut. The event concluded on Sunday after the Suryakiran team’s aerial display.