For two days, the sky over Meerut in Uttar Pradesh, appeared colorful, as if adorned with a ‘Rangoli’ pattern. Amidst the various visible hues, there was a distinct ‘color’ that could not merely be seen but had to be understood and felt—the color of courage, discipline, and the beautiful synergy between man and the machine. The occasion featured the Indian Air Force’s Suryakiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) showcasing their magnificent aerial maneuvers, which left the audience spellbound.
People of Meerut were left absolutely awestruck when they witnessed the Indian Air Force’s Suryakiran Aerobatic Team performing stunts in the sky on September 19 and 20, 2026. The display of skill by the air warriors felt like a daring, thrilling, and action-packed movie—an experience destined to be remembered for a lifetime. Over one lakh people turned up to watch the two-day event. The crowd included a large number of students, National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets, and National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers.
A special highlight of the event was that three members of the Suryakiran Aerobatic Team hail from Meerut itself, this includes two pilots who performed the aerial maneuvers.
Meerut Air Show:
The Suryakiran Aerobatic Team (skat) showcased a spectacular display of their new formation to the citizens of Meerut immediately after successfully completing their 2026 training session. Flying nine distinctive red-and-white Hawk Mk-132 aircraft,manufactured in India under license by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the team performed breathtaking aerial maneuvers that left the audience spellbound. From magnificent loops and thrilling barrel rolls to inverted flight and the famous ‘DNA’ maneuver, every act by the team demonstrated precision, skill, and impeccable coordination.
The Suryakiran Aerobatic Team’s aircraft fly in extremely close proximity to one another,often with a gap of less than five meters. Consequently, every aerial maneuver stands as a testament to exceptional flying skills, discipline, and the unwavering mutual trust among the team members.
A unique feature of this performance in Meerut was the significant indigenous modification made to the Hawk Mk-132 aircraft. Smoke-generating systems capable of producing colored smoke were installed on the planes. Carried out at the Indian Air Force’s Base Repair Depot in Nashik, this modification enables the aircraft to trail the three colors of India’s national flag—saffron, white, and green—across the sky.
Suryakiran Aerobatic Team:
Formed thirty years ago in 1996, the Suryakiran Aerobatic Team is the only nine-aircraft aerobatic team in Asia and ranks among the select few aerobatic teams globally. Beyond winning the hearts of audiences through over 800 air shows across India, the team has also demonstrated the professional prowess of the Indian Air Force at international air shows in China, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Singapore, the UAE, and Dubai. It is no longer merely an aerobatic team, wherever it appears it performs as an ‘ambassador of the Indian Air Force,’ showcasing the spirit and operational ethos of the force.
While carrying forward a glorious legacy of outstanding achievements, the team also serves as a source of inspiration for the youth to pursue careers in the defence services.
India’s Minister of State for Defence, Sanjay Seth, praised the event in a post on the social media platform X. He witnessed the Suryakiran Aerobatic Team’s air show on September 20, 2026. He described the event as a perfect blend of discipline, precision, team spirit, and professional excellence, hailing it as a testament to the Indian Air Force’s magnificent capabilities.
On the first day of the display, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath commended the precision and courage of the Suryakiran Aerobatic Team’s pilots in a post on X. He noted that the pilots demonstrated remarkable precision and bravery while adorning the sky with the colors of the Tricolor. He described the occasion as a moment of pride and inspiration for both Uttar Pradesh and the entire nation.
Other dignitaries who witnessed the SKAT air show in Meerut included MP Dr. Laxmikant Bajpai, Uttar Pradesh Minister of State Somendra Tomar, and Members of the Legislative Council (MLCs) Ashwini Tyagi and Dharmendra Bhardwaj.
