Jaipur: The Suryakiran Aerobatic Team, better known as the “Ambassadors of the Indian Air Force,” is renowned for its precision, skill, and teamwork. This elite team, flying the striking red-and-white Hawk Mk-132 jets, will showcase a series of jaw-dropping maneuvers. From the graceful loop and the thrilling barrel roll to the gravity-defying inverted flying and the crowd-favorite DNA maneuver, every performance is a testament to the pilots’ unmatched expertise and coordination. They will soon be taking over the skies of Jaipur  in a marvellous 9 aircraft display scheduled on 20th and 22nd February over Jalmahal.

 

            SKAT was established in the year 1996. The team holds the coveted title of being the only nine-aircraft aerobatic team in Asia, and is one of the elite few aerobatic teams in the world. This exceptional team has performed over 800 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 license manufactured in India by HAL flying in extremely close proximity at a distance of less than 5 metres. There are 14 pilots in the team. The team leader is a Su-30 MKI pilot Group Captain Ajay Dasarathi. The Deputy Leader is Wing Commander Tejeshwar Singh. Other pilots include Wing Commander Jasdeep Singh, Squadron Leader Sanjesh Singh, Squadron Leader Rahul Singh, Wing Commander Ankit Vashisth, Squadron Leader Vishnu, Squadron Leader Diwakar Sharma, Squadron Leader Gaurav Patel, Squadron Leader Edward Prince, Squadron Leader Lalit Verma, Wing Commander Rajesh Kajla. Their technical team is led by Wing Commander Abhimanyu Tyagi, Wing Commander Sandeep Dhayal and Flight Lieutenant Manil Sharma. The team’s commentator and administrator is Flight Lieutenant Kanwal Sandhu.

 

            3 pilots of the team belong to Jaipur namely Wing Commander Rajesh Kajla, Wing Commander Ankit Vashisth and Squadron Leader Sanjesh Singh.

 

            All members live by the team’s motto "Sadaiva Sarvottam" meaning Always the Best! SKAT embodies the spirit of excellence. The pilots undergo intensive training to master complex aerobatic manoeuvres, with their expertise and flawless coordination forming the foundation of the close formation flying.

 

            Recently, the Suryakiran Team’s Hawk Mk 132 aircraft have undergone a significant indigenous modification i.e the integration of smoke pods capable of producing colored smoke. This advancement was developed within India at Indian Air Force’s Base Repair Depot, Nashik and allows the team to display the colors of the national flag—saffron, white, and green—across the sky during their aerial performances. This enhancement not only adds visual impact to the displays but also serves as a powerful symbol of national pride, celebrating India’s achievements in aerospace engineering and innovation.

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