BENGALURU: Bengaluru’s skies will come alive with a display of aerial prowess as the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) elite Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) performs a spectacular air show from February 10-14, 2025.
Since its establishment in 1996, SKAT conducted more than 700 displays across India and represented the nation at international air shows in China, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Singapore, and the UAE. The team operates under the motto “Sadaiva Sarvottam” (Always the Best), reflecting their commitment to excellence.
The team, fondly known as the “Ambassadors of the IAF”, will showcase their precision flying in their distinctive red-and-white Hawk Mk-132 jets. Spectators can expect to witness a range of breathtaking manoeuvres, including loops, barrel rolls, inverted flying, and the team’s signature DNA manoeuvre.
Led by Group Captain Ajay Dasarathi, a Su-30 MKI pilot, with Group Captain Sidhesh Kartik as Deputy Leader, SKAT stands as Asia’s only nine-aircraft aerobatic team. The squad consists of 14 highly trained pilots who fly in remarkably close formation, maintaining distances of less than 5 metres between aircraft.
The other members of the team are: Squadron Leaders Jasdeep Singh, Himkhush Chandel, Ankit Vashisth, Vishnu, Diwakar Sharma, Gaurav Patel, Edward Prince, Lalit Verma, Wing Commanders Rajesh Kajla, Arjun Patel (native of Bengaluru), Kuldeep Hooda, and Allen George.
Their technical team is led by Wing Commander Abhimanyu Tyadi, 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.
An indigenous innovation enhanced the team’s visual appeal – smoke pods that can produce the three colours of the national flag, developed at an IAF base. This modification adds a patriotic dimension to their already impressive repertoire.
While SKAT, over the years, enthralled people at various airshows and other official events, its Aero India performances were always remembered.