Rajkot will host the Suryakiran Air Show on December 7, jointly organised by the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Rajkot Municipal Corporation. The event will feature an aerobatic display by the Suryakiran Aerobatic Display Team (SKAT), a performance by the Air Force Band, and a Garuda weapons exhibition—being held in the city for the first time.
Municipal Commissioner Tushar Sumera said the SKAT team, flying nine or more aircraft from Jamnagar, will perform over Atal Sarovar in the Smart City area. “While the team’s airshows usually last around 30 minutes, Rajkot has been allotted a full hour,” he said, adding that the Suryakiran team recently performed at the Dubai Airshow as well.
The Suryakiran team operates nine BAe Hawk Mk132 jets from the Bidar Airbase in Karnataka and is South Asia’s only dedicated aerobatic display team. Known globally for precision flying, the team aims to inspire patriotism and encourage youth to join the Indian armed forces.
The airshow will also include participation from various transport aircraft and helicopters. Formed in 1996, SKAT is among the world’s few nine-aircraft aerobatic teams and has performed over 500 shows across India and countries including China, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Singapore and the UAE.