Suryakiran Aerobatic Team dazzles Hyderabad with a breathtaking airshow

A large number of enthusiastic spectators cheered as these air devils waved the tricolour in the sky and performed breath-taking aerobatic manoeuvres such as loops, rolls, crosses and inverted flying.

Hyderabad: The Suryakiran Aerobatic Team of the Indian Air Force, also called SKAT, carried out a mesmerizing aerobatic display over the picturesque Hussain Sagar lake in Hyderabad on Sunday.

A large number of enthusiastic spectators cheered as these air devils waved the tricolour in the sky and performed breath-taking aerobatic manoeuvres such as loops, rolls, crosses and inverted flying.

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The team leader Group Captain Ajay Dasarathi even gave a special message from the skies to everyone saying “Thank you Hyderabad! Mee prema ku shukhriya!!”

Suryakiran was established in 1996 and the team holds the coveted title of being the only nine-aircraft aerobatic team in Asia and is one of the elite few teams in the world. This exceptional team has performed over 700 displays across India, while also representing the professionalism of the IAF at international air shows in countries such as China, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Singapore, and the UAE.

Suryakiran team consists of 9 Hawk Mk 132 aircraft flying in extremely close proximity at a distance of merely 5 metres. There are 12 pilots in the team. The team leader is a Su-30 MKI pilot Group Captain Ajay Dasarathi and the Deputy Leader is Group Captain Sidhesh Kartik.

Other pilots include Squadron Leader Jasdeep Singh, Squadron Leader Himkhush Chandel, Squadron Leader Ankit Vashisth, Squadron Leader Vishnu, Squadron Leader Diwakar Sharma, Squadron Leader Gaurav Patel, Wing Commander Rajesh Kajla, Wing Commander Arjun Patel, Wing Commander Kuldeep Hooda and Wing Commander Allen George.

Their technical team is led by Wing Commander Abhimanyu Tyagi, Squadron Leader Sandeep Dhayal and Flight Lieutenant Manil Sharma. The team’s commentator and administrator is Flight Lieutenant Kanwal Sandhu and the team’s doctor is Squadron Leader Sudharshan.

All members live by the team’s motto “SadaivaSarvottam” meaning Always the Best!