Suryakiran Air Show: Indian Air Force Jets Fly Over Bhavnagar
Suryakiran Air Show Brought Nine Hawk Jets to Bhavnagar as Crowds Watched The Indian Air Force Display
Nine Hawk aircraft of the Indian Air Force’s Suryakiran Aerobatic Team flew over Bor Talav in Bhavnagar on Sunday, 1 November, giving residents their first chance to watch the team perform over the city.
The 30 to 40-minute display drew large crowds along the shores of Bor Talav, also known as Gaurishankar Lake, and at viewing points across Bhavnagar. The aircraft flew in close formation, performing loops, rolls, inverted flying and other aerobatic moves. Smoke trails in saffron, white and green appeared across the sky.
The event was organised by the Bhavnagar Municipal Corporation and the District Administration of Bhavnagar. Entry was free, with spectators watching from designated areas around the lake and elevated locations across the city.
The Suryakiran team flew nine red-and-white Hawk Mk-132 aircraft, which are built in India under licence by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The aircraft are used for advanced pilot training and aerobatic displays.
Flying so close to one another requires careful planning and control. Each pilot must follow the formation and respond to the movements of the other aircraft. The display depends on hours of practice, clear communication and trust among the pilots.
The team was formed in 1996 at Bidar, Karnataka. It marks 30 years of service in 2026 and has performed more than 800 displays in India and abroad. The Indian Air Force describes it as Asia’s only nine-aircraft aerobatic formation team.
Suryakiran flies under the motto “Sadaiva Sarvottam”, which means “Always the Best”. Its red-and-white aircraft have become a familiar sight at public air shows and major events.
The team’s history includes a break in public performances. It was first raised using Kiran Mk II aircraft and stopped public displays in 2011. It returned in 2015 with Hawk Mk-132 aircraft. The team later expanded its formation to nine aircraft.
The Hawk aircraft used by Suryakiran are made in India by HAL under licence. The aircraft’s smoke system allows the pilots to leave coloured trails during their routines. The smoke helps spectators follow the aircraft as they move across the sky.
Group Captain Ajay Dasarathi commands the team, while Wing Commander Tejeshwar Singh serves as Flight Commander. The original event information said the team involved 13 pilots, along with technical and operational staff who support the aircraft and prepare them for each display.
The air show also included activities for students and young people interested in joining the armed forces. An Indian Air Force stall provided information on career choices, selection procedures and life in the service.
Visitors could also use an air simulator to experience aircraft controls and basic flying procedures. The facility attracted people of different age groups, including students who may be considering a career in aviation or the defence services.
The Air Force Band of Headquarters South Western Air Command performed martial tunes, patriotic songs and ceremonial music. The programme added a musical element to the event and gave visitors another way to engage with the Indian Air Force.
Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Nimuben Bambhaniya attended the air show as Chief Guest. Special guests included Air Vice Marshal GS Bhullar, Senior Officer Administration at Headquarters South Western Air Command, Gandhinagar, along with senior ministers of the Gujarat Government and elected representatives from the region.
The event followed other recent public displays by Suryakiran. In September, the team performed in Meerut for the first time, drawing more than one lakh spectators over two days. In October, it flew over Varanasi as part of the Indian Air Force’s 94th anniversary celebrations.
Public air shows give people a chance to see the flying skills of the Indian Air Force at close range. They also help young people learn about careers in the service, including the training and discipline required to become a pilot.
For Bhavnagar, Sunday’s display brought the Suryakiran team to the city for the first time. The Indian Air Force thanked the district administration, municipal authorities, police and supporting agencies for helping conduct the event. It also acknowledged the residents who gathered around Bor Talav to watch the aircraft.
The show ended with the aircraft completing their planned routines over the lake, leaving many residents with their first experience of watching the Suryakiran formation fly over Bhavnagar.
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