Bhuj: After enthralling audiences in Baroda, Jamnagar, and Naliya, the Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team of the Indian Air Force will perform its airshow in Bhuj on January 31st and February 1st. In the sky above Dhordo Tent City on the White Rann of Kutch, the SKAT team will execute their breathtaking maneuvers at around 3:o0 pm. Notably, people visiting the Tent City during the ongoing Rann Utsav will also be able to witness these aerial stunts.

The airshow will feature aerobatic maneuvers such as loops, rolls, head-on crosses, buzzes, and inverted flying. They will also perform the popular DNA maneuver, in which five aircraft come together to form the shape of a helix in the sky, resembling the DNA structure.

Formed in 1996, the SKAT team proudly holds the distinction of being the only nine-aircraft aerobatic team in Asia and one of the few elite teams worldwide. With more than 700 performances across India and internationally in countries like China, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Singapore, and the UAE, the team has earned widespread recognition. Operating under the motto “Sarvada Sarvottam,” meaning “Always the Best,” the team embodies a commitment to excellence.

The Surya Kiran team flies nine Hawk Mk132 aircraft, which are manufactured in India, maintaining extremely tight formations with a distance of less than 5 meters between them. Led by Group Captain Ajay Dasarathi and Deputy Leader Group Captain Sidhesh Kartik, the team consists of 14 pilots who undergo rigorous training to perfect their aerobatic skills. Their seamless coordination and expertise are essential for performing complex maneuvers in close formation. The technical team is headed by Wing Commander Abhimanyu Tyagi, with Flight Lieutenant Kanwal Sandhu acting as the team’s commentator and administrator. Squadron Leader Sudarshan serves as the team’s medical officer. DeshGujarat