With their jaw-dropping display of mid-air stunt, the nine aircraft team of Surya Kiran Aerobatics of the Indian Air Force has become the world's first to perform an integrated maneuvering with a rotary wing team, which means a helicopter.
The mozards of aerial display came together to showcase their prowess in the air as the first-ever combined display of fixed-wing and helicopter display teams was performed at the 13th edition of Aero India in Bangaluru.
With this feet, Surya Kiran has crossed the Red Arrows of the British Air Force, which is considered by many to be the greatest aerobatic display team in the world.
And, it was a challenge in itself, as such a feat has never tried before, by any military in the world.
The Surya Kiran (meaning rays of the sun) Aerobarics team has continued to be at the centre of attraction in the Indian Air Force with its dazzling and thrilling air formations since 1996. Part of the 52ns Squadron of the IAF, the Surya Kiran Aerobatics Team (SKAT) is a team of nine HAL made Kiran MK-II aircraft. Based at the Bidar Air Force Station in Karnataka, SKAT was suspended in February 2011 and was re-established with Hawk Mk-132 aircraft in 2017, making it the youngest nine-aircraft aerobatic team in the world.
In 2019, two Surya Kiran jets had crashed while rehearsing for Aero India in Yelahanka airbase. A pilot lost his life in the crash, while three others were injured.
On the other hand, Sarang, the helicopter air display team, flies four modified version of HAL manufactured Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv. Sarang in Sanskrit means peacock, the national bird of India.
Team Sarang was formed in October 2003. The unit was inducted as No. 151 Helicopter Unit in 2005 and was shifted from Yelahanka AFS, Bangalore to Sulur AFS, Coimbatore in 2009.
Acknowledging the rare feet, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that he has been witness to the spectacular displays by Surya Kiran and Sarang on several occasions. “They never fail to mesmerise me with their amazing skills, courage and determination. I am proud of the entire team and their ‘symphonies in sky’. Happy landings to them!", Singh said in a tweet.
