New Delhi, May 11: The Indian Air Force will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Somnath Temple with a spectacular display by the Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT). Six Hawk MK-132 aircraft will perform aerobatic formations above the historic temple complex.
Wing Commander Janmeet Sharma announced that the air show will take place on May 11 at 11 AM, in the presence of the Prime Minister. He stated, “Six Hawk MK-132 aircraft will participate in this exercise, which is part of SKAT’s scheduled performance in Somnath.”
Flight Lieutenant Kanwal Sandhu, the team’s commentator, noted that this air show will be the first of its kind over the Somnath Temple. Under the leadership of Group Captain Dashrathi, the six aircraft will engage in coordinated aerial maneuvers. She further explained that pilots are trained on Hawk aircraft, which are capable of operational deployment even in emergency and wartime situations, including challenging terrains.
The team consists of 13 trained pilots, led by Group Captain Ajay Dashrathi, a Sukhoi-30 MKI pilot. Wing Commander Tejeshwar Singh serves as the deputy leader. The pilots operate under the motto “Sadaiv Sarvottam,” meaning “Always the Best.” During the air show, these aircraft will fly at speeds of 800 to 900 kilometers per hour.
The event will commence with all six aircraft taking off simultaneously, followed by various aerial stunts performed in separate formations. Squadron Leader Aman Goyal will assist in coordinating ground operations, continuously updating pilots on air conditions, spacing between aircraft, and operational safety.
Special security measures have been implemented to control bird activity in the area. The ‘Bird Hazard Control Unit’ will remain on high alert throughout the event.
This performance is part of the extensive ‘Somnath Amrit Parv-2026’ celebrations taking place at the Jyotirlinga temple. The Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) is regarded as the ‘Ambassador’ of the Indian Air Force. According to officials, the team will conduct close-formation flying and aerobatic exercises on Monday, showcasing precision, discipline, and teamwork.
Recognized globally for their coordinated performances, the team has participated in over 800 events both in India and abroad. SKAT has demonstrated its capabilities in countries such as China, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates.
Established in 1996, the team operates Hawk MK-132 aircraft, manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in India. During their displays, the aircraft fly in extremely close formations, sometimes with less than five meters of separation between them.
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