Gandhinagar: The Suryakiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) of the Indian Air Force is all set to start 2025 with their Gujarat tour. They will perform a mesmerizing aerobatic display in Vadodara on January 21 and 22, 2025. Established in 1996, the SKAT team holds the coveted title of being the only nine-aircraft aerobatic team in Asia and is among the few elite teams in the world. This team has performed over 700 displays across India and in countries such as China, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Singapore, and the UAE. The team operates under the motto “Sarvada Sarvottam”—meaning “Always the Best”—which embodies their spirit of excellence.

The Suryakiran team consists of nine Hawk Mk132 aircraft, license-manufactured in India, flying in extremely close proximity at a distance of less than 5 meters. The team includes 14 pilots, led by Group Captain Ajay Dasarathi, with Deputy Leader Group Captain Sidhesh Kartik. These pilots undergo intensive training to master complex aerobatic maneuvers, with their expertise and flawless coordination forming the foundation of close formation flying. The technical team is headed by Wing Commander Abhimanyu Tyagi, while Flight Lieutenant Kanwal Sandhu serves as the team’s commentator and administrator. Squadron Leader Sudarshan is the team’s doctor.

The air show at Vadodara will be followed by air shows in Jamnagar from January 25–26, 2025, in Naliya on January 29, 2025, and in Bhuj from January 31 to February 1, 2025. This event promises to be unforgettable for spectators, as these daredevils showcase breathtaking aerobatic maneuvers such as loops, rolls, head-on crosses, buzzes, and inverted flying. They will also execute the popular DNA maneuver, in which five aircraft come together to form the shape of a helix in the sky, resembling the DNA structure. DeshGujarat

Gujarat, here we come! Kickstarting the new year with action packed displays at these 4 amazing cities!

Vadodara – 21 Jan to 22 Jan
Jamnagar – 25 Jan to 26 Jan
Naliya – 29 Jan
Bhuj – 31 Jan to 01 Feb

Stay tuned for more updates! pic.twitter.com/WkP6LsWI8m

— Suryakiran Aerobatic Team (@Suryakiran_IAF) January 10, 2025