Archive · 20 Sep 2026
Suryakiran Debuts Over Meerut, Drawing More Than One Lakh Spectators
The Suryakiran Aerobatic Team is a group of Indian Air Force pilots who fly planes in carefully planned patterns.
They performed over Meerut for the first time on September 19 and 20.
More than one lakh people came to watch them.
The team used nine aircraft in the show.
The pilots flew very close together and performed loops, rolls and upside-down flying.
Their planes released saffron, white and green smoke.
These colours made a pattern like the Indian national flag.
The show also encouraged young people to learn about careers in the armed forces.
The Indian Air Force’s Suryakiran Aerobatic Team performed in Meerut for the first time on September 19 and 20.
More than one lakh spectators, including students, NCC cadets, NSS volunteers and local residents, watched the two-day show.
Nine Hawk Mk 132 aircraft performed loops, barrel rolls, inverted flying and the signature DNA manoeuvre.
Three Suryakiran members, including two participating pilots, came from Meerut.
The team used saffron, white and green smoke to create the colours of the national flag in the sky.
- Who
- The Indian Air Force’s Suryakiran Aerobatic Team, watched by more than one lakh spectators and public officials.
- What
- A two-day aerial display featuring nine Hawk Mk 132 aircraft and high-precision aerobatic manoeuvres.
- When
- September 19 and 20; the article does not specify the year.
- Where
- Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India.
- Why
- To conduct the Suryakiran team’s aerial display and showcase flying skills, precision, discipline and teamwork while engaging young audiences.
- Attendance
- More than one lakh spectators over two days
- Aircraft
- Nine red-and-white Hawk Mk 132 aircraft
- Team history
- Established in 1996
- Display record
- More than 800 air shows in India and abroad
- Signature manoeuvre
- DNA manoeuvre
- Formation spacing
- Less than five metres during some manoeuvres
- Smoke colours
- Saffron, white and green