The Suryakiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) of the Indian Air Force conducted its first-ever aerial display in Meerut on September 19 and 20, 2026, as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations. The event attracted over 100,000 spectators over the two days, including students, National Cadet Corps cadets, and National Service Scheme volunteers.
The display featured nine Hawk Mk132 aircraft license-manufactured in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), performing precision maneuvers including loops, barrel rolls, inverted flying, and the iconic DNA maneuver. The aircraft flew in extremely close formation with less than five meters separation between them. A significant indigenous modification enabled the aircraft to produce colored smoke in saffron, white, and green—the colors of the Indian national flag—using smoke pods developed at the Indian Air Force's Base Repair Depot in Nashik.
Defence Minister Sanjay Seth attended the September 20 show and praised the event on social media as a remarkable blend of discipline, precision, teamwork, and professionalism. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also commended the display on social media, calling it a proud and inspiring moment for the state and nation. Other dignitaries present included Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Laxmikant Bajpai, UP Minister of State Somendra Tomar, and Legislative Council members Ashwini Tyagi and Dharmendra Bhardwaj.
Notably, three SKAT team members, including two pilots who performed aerobatics, were from Meerut. The team, established in 1996, is Asia's only nine-aircraft aerobatic team and has performed over 800 airshows globally in its 30-year history, including displays in China, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Singapore, the UAE, and Dubai. The Meerut display marked the unveiling of the team's latest formation following the successful conclusion of its 2026 training season.